A free morning today, so a group of us headed out shopping. Bern gave us details instructions on how to catch the Metro and navigate to the shopping centre in the middle of Nice.
Well the budget took a hit today with shopping 🙂 my suitcase is definitely coming home heavier than it left 🙂
In the afternoon we went to a medieval village called St Paul d’Vence and then back through Nice for a French feast on the top of the mountain overlooking the ocean.
Another early morning (6:45 bags and breakfast) then off to Pisa.
The leaning tower was built as the bell tower for the church in the “Square of Miracles” in 1134Â The builder had decided to show off and built the tower with shallow foundations. Obviously it did not work and the towers design was altered to be only half the height of the original design. While the tower is still moving, it sways by 1-2mm every year. There have been many attempts to halt the lean but nothing of any great success.
You will happy to see I have bowed to pressure to have a “selfie” and have done the obligatory “holding up the tower” shot 🙂
Next stop is Monaco. The motorway to Monaco winds its way along the coast. There were lots of huge greenhouses as this is the area where flowers are grown for the perfume industry.
We had a couple of hours in Monaco. Monaco is a pristine, clean tiny place. I saw the royal palace and the changing of the guard, then walked back along some lovely little streets back to the Cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are buried. On one of the side streets I came across a real estate agent :). I have included two pictures of apartments for sale if anyone wins lotto 🙂
A quick hours drive down the motorway and we arrived at our hotel in Nice. We had a free night tonight so a group of us went out for a great meal and turned in for an early night.
We woke to a misty morning and about 15 degrees Yay to some cooler weather. The weather report says it will fine up and be around 24 today.
After breakfast we headed into Florence to meet our local guide, Patrizia showed us around this important city which dates back to the dark ages. Florence was a hub for artists, writers, scientists and free thinkers. Michelangelo, Leonardo di Vinci , Donatello and Galellao all came from Florence along with many other famous people.
We, of course, were taken to the “Accademia” where many of Michelangelo’s statues are housed including “David”. David is certainly an imposing figure when seen in real life.
We then walked to the “piazza della signoria” this was the town square with a HUGE palace that is, even today, the centre of government for Florence. Florence was,in medieval times, a separate republic not controlled by Rome. Michelangelo’s David was commissioned for this square. The symbol of David defeating the giant is a metaphor for Florence defeating Rome
There is a famous bridge in Florence called the Ponte Vecchio, this bridge is a covered bridge and is lined with shops. In early times the shops were the fishmongers and butchers, but the smell of the shops offended the Duke on his walk from the Town hall to his residence, so he had all the butchers moved and decreed that only the goldsmiths could trade there. It is still the gold centre of Florence.
After a couple of hours free time, Bern took us on the coach to a lookout overlooking the city. At this lookout is yet another David.., this time on bronze.
Then we headed back to the hotel for a rest before going to the Tuscan hills for an Italian feast ( again)
Well this feast was a gastronomically awesome end to our time in Italy. We started with antipasto of prosciutto and two types of salami , 3 kinds of bruschetta with tomato, black olive tapenade and green olive tapenade. Then ravioli with spinach and ricotta & gnocchi in beef ragu. Then came the main course of a full rib-eye cooked (to perfection ) on the bone served with roasted potato and rosemary. Dessert was tiramisu and strawberry cake. Of course the whole meal was washed down with a good dose of excellent wines.
Back to the hotel and we are all sad to be leaving Italy, but are looking forward to our next adventure in France. We have one more Italian stop in Pisa, then onto Nice.
Pompeii … After a good breakfast, quite a few of us went to the pool deck to take photos of Sorrento with Mt Vesuvius in the background
We boarded the coach at 8:00 and made the short 30min drive to Pompeii
The ruins of Pompeii were fascinating. To think we were walking on streets 2000 years old. It really is amazing how much has survived. The frescos on the walls and the pottery were just incredible.
Pompeii was a wealthy port town that always had a lot of visitors so there is a lot of letters and pictures from travelers as to what Pompeii was like before the eruption in 79ad
Leaving Pompeii we travelled back north to Florence on the same motorway we took when we left Rome. A quiet day on the coach today. It is good to just take on the scenery.
We arrived at our hotel in Florence at around 6:00. We had been warned that the hotel restaurant buffet was not open until 8:00. I had a lovely loooong shower and a nice nap and then had a superb Italian buffet. This hotel’s restaurant is a “local hotspot” and was very busy with locals , which says something about the quality of the food 🙂 we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves knowing we have late start tomorrow.
(I have added the pictured of my Vatican medal to this post as I realised I forgot to do it yesterday )
7:00 bags and breakfast this morning and we are on our way to Naples
While we were in Rome, Bern had set us some “homework” on any public buildings ( ancient and modern) we would see the letters SPQR. Our task was to find out what it meant. We them wrote our answers on a piece of paper and the first correct answer drawn out of a hat would win a prize. I was lucky enough to have MY name drawn :). What a special prize!! Bern had bought a commemorative medal made for the 500th anniversary of the Swiss guards protecting the Pope at the Vatican. There were only 5000 of these made, so it is very special :). I have included a picture of this in this post.
Driving south we saw the Abbey of St Benedict and further south we saw Mt Vesuvius in the distance before turning off the motorway and winding our way down to the Bay of Naples.
Gorgeous views opened up from the windy mountain road as we travelled to our lunch stop of Sorrento. I bought a sandwich and wandered around the town
I came to a park and it came out overlooking the bay. Wow what a great view looking out and down to the wharves and shops.
After lunch we left the big coach in Sorrento and got on 2 mini busses for a drive to Positano.
OK. I am officially in love .,. With Positano :). Such a gorgeous place – beautiful beach (even if it is black sand) great shops and restaurants and friendly locals. I spent my free time browsing the shops, had a drink overlooking the water and just “being” on this vibrant little place.
Back to the hotel for dinner and an early night.
Pompeii tomorrow. Can’t wait for that. The reason I chose this tour is because it is one of the very few European multi country tours that do Pompeii – most only go as far as Rome.
We boarded the coach and walked straight passed the lines and entered the museum just on 8:00
We passed through the antiquity halls and saw the many amazing statues, paintings, mosaics and tapestries.
Then we came to the Sistene Chapel. I know I have used words like , amazing , awesome, fantastic etc…. But nothing can quite prepare you for the space that is the Sistene Chapel. It is one of those places that just need to be seen to be appreciated.
After the Vatican we went to the Colosseum. Another amazing place that is just incredible. I am quite sure none of our stadiums will be standing in 2000 years.
Back to the hotel for a rest and then out for dinner.
We finished our time in Rome with a fabulous Roman Feast of antipasto, pasta, saltimbocca and cake 🙂
