Travels and holidays

Florence

normandmichelle — Sun, 4 Aug 2013 11:43:00 GMT

Friday 26 July 2013

After some discussions with Karen we changed our plans leaving San Baranto for Florence for the evening so we were close to the train to depart for Milan enroute to home while Karen will head to London and The Ritz.

We stayed at the Hotel Rivoli on Via della Scala within walking distance of the railway station. Stinking hot once again (approx. 40 degrees) so we enjoyed a light lunch and drinks in the cool (misting equipped) courtyard of the hotel. A local wine per-dinner then we walked into the city aiming at a restaurant the girls had seen on Tuesday for dinner around 9.00pm. Florence was just lovely to walk around in the evening as the streets were quieter (the hordes of tourists not there...) and obviously a bit cooler. As we walked around we came across the most magical event. In one of old streets there was a group of men all dressed up in old Florentine costumes. We had a chat to one of them and he advised they were members of the historical society and that today (Friday 26 July) was the day for Saint Anna who was the original Patron Saint for Florence. So of course we hung around and then watched the group procession, with drums and trumpets, proceed through the streets of Florence to their final destination of il Duomo. It was wonderful, colourful and noisy and we were just so lucky to be there at the right time.

After dinner, on our return to the hotel, we had a nightcap Campari and soda for Karen a Cosmo for me and Michelle declined in the courtyard.

San Baronto and Vinci

normandmichelle — Sun, 4 Aug 2013 10:56:00 GMT

While some went to Cinque Terre today Karen, Michelle, Neil and I went to Leonardo Di Vinci's nearby home town of Vinci by our trusty taxi driver. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinci,_Tuscany). Another hilltop Tuscan town with a couple of great museums (http://www.museoleonardiano.it/eng ) with loads of models and drawings of his inventions. We climbed the tower for views of the Tuscan countryside before meeting Neil, who had been sketching the tower (and fending off tourists) for a drink. A little shopping by the ladies for ceramics then back to San Baronto for lunch.

Spent the afternoon by the pool.

The evening consisted of us all sitting in the courtyard area and consuming the remaining breads, cheeses, prosciutto, cold meats, salads and alcohol we had as it was our last night together as a group before everyone went their separate ways.

San Baronto - Cooking and Beyond

normandmichelle — Sun, 4 Aug 2013 09:48:00 GMT

July 22

A late start following a cafe across the road watching the passing parade of cyclists and the old guys on the corner. Said goodbye to Cameron and Stacey who were off to Rome before going their separate ways. We were transported to last nights restaurant at nearby Mungarino where we were to have our cooking class. A light lunch of pasta and pate bruschetta and some aniseed wafers with some wine then we donned aprons and hats before the chef Salvatore demonstrated the making of the pasta for the ravioli and then the filling with the help of our Scottish interpreter Dawn. Then into the caldo (hot) kitchen for pancake prep and cooking and then the spinach and cheese filling followed by the tomato sauce prep. Vegetable prep, seafood prep and desert prep were the other areas. We split into groups for each prep, Michelle the pasta and I went for the pannacotta. It was a great afternoon with everyone getting involved. Then back to the hotel to clean up for the dinner of our labours. Too much food. The appetisers and without doubt the pannacotta got the most votes as it wash exceptionally smooth. Too much wine, then the wonders of a home made blackberry liquor were introduced after the shuttle service back to the hotel commenced around 1115. So Andrew and I were in the last shuttle driven by Paola who also drove after the festa.

July 23

Tuesday saw Darren and Peter head off to the home of Ferrari for a tour while the rest of us went into Firenze meeting up with a friend from AUS Suzie for a walk, lunch and a little shopping. Eric rang with news that the health of Michelle's sister Kathryn had deteriorated. We headed back up to San Baronto for the odd Campari and soda and a light dinner in the courtyard of the hotel while waiting for the Ferrari boys to return.

July 24

We all went for our daily morning stroll to the local ristorante / bar for our morning fix of coffee (& fruit salad if available....). Every morning the chairs outside the ristorante are occupied by a group of local gentlemen who spend their day sitting on their chairs watching the groups of bicycle riders who ride up to San Baranto. There is a very strong bicycling community here and quite a few professional teams are located in the area. Every day you see groups of professional teams going up / down the mountain followed by their team cars. The roads up to San Baranto from Lamporrecchio and Pistoia have recently been resurfaced and they are the best roads in the area. The reason being is that the UCU Road World Championship (http://www.toscana2013.it/?lang=en) are being held there in September. As one taxi driver said Italy may be broke but the government can still spend the $$$ on a road and "that is Italy!".

A relatively quiet day as no tours. Well having said that the boys headed off to Pistoia for a supermarket fix. Darren had some postage to send home so the rest of us waited, waited some more and after 37 minutes he returned - happy faces. Then we couldn't find the Coop. Stopped to look at a map and discuss our situation while also looking for a local to request help when the boom gates went down for a train. Traffic banked up and were found our local who said it was about 500 m down to the left after the railway. He was of course correct so we armed ourselves with little red trollies and commenced to fill them with bread, salads, award winning prosciutto , cheese, seafood, wine and Campari - Lifes staples.

That evening we dined at a local hotel ristorante which was walking distance from our accommodation and were joined by Paola and Mario (their son Paolo is married to Andrew's sister Jane). Paola and Mario did a lot of the pre-organising for us and it was great to have them join us for dinner.

Photos: San Baronto

normandmichelle — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 23:02:00 GMT

Italy - San Baronto

normandmichelle — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:44:00 GMT

July 19

Up early to catch the ferry back to the main island. Met at the terminal by our transfer to Catania airport a 2 hour drive away through tunnels and over bridges. Saw the mainland - Calabria just off the coast but no bridge. We had a 3 hour wait before our departure to Firenze. Really crowded airport, plenty of beggars. It took 40minutes to check in then another 30 mins to get through security. At Florence we checked out he best way to get to San Baronto at the visitor centre then caught the bus to the station, then a train to Postoia, then a taxi drive up the hill to San Baronto. One of the first faces at the hotel was of course Cameron who we had been looking forward to seeing for some time. Met the gang at the local taverna for some drinks and food.

July 20

Florence in the morning via a bus driven by Marchelo "the great bus driver" the area is exactly what you would imagine Tuscany to look like, terracotta roofs down the hillsides, church towers with bells ringing every half hour, terraced areas down the side of the mountain with olive tree groves or grapevines and little villages dotted around surrounding hillsides. The road up to San Baronto is very steep and winding with a perfect bituman surface. This is because the world cycling championships will be here in mid Sept, so many cyclists riding up and down especially in the morning and late afternoon. A few teams are training also with their following team cars barking instructions. In Florence we walked to the Ponte Vecchio, Duomo and leather markets then off to an outlet plaza for shopping - enormous like a small town with lots of designer shops all having big sales. Very hot and very little purchases made and mainly by the males! We then stopped at a supermarket on home, much better shopping, then back to the hotel to prepare for the Festa. I walked the 4 odd K to the Festa with Neil Wilson arriving just before the last car load from the hotel. A good walk through forest and with great views down the valleys. Stacey had arrived from Pisa by taxi at some astronomical cost, good to see her after her trip to Spain. An excess of food was consumed 3 pasta dishes followed by a big meat platter and donuts - we were all growning. Did not walk back. Live music was great but best was the ballroom dancing (by the locals) on a huge patio overlooking the view.

July 21

Departed at 8am for the town of Lucca, an ancient town surrounded by a huge in tact Renaissance wall some 4k long. It's also the home of a summer festival where international performers strut their stuff - Mark Knopfler (last night). Hot day so a gelati was welcome. We wandered the wall back to the gate and the bus looking in on some sensational gardens. From here to Pisa and of course the leaning tower. Extremely hot and thousands of tourists taking normal and unusual photos even from the "do not walk on grass" lawn, until a whistle and the police herded offenders off. We went into the cathedral via the pray only door and sat quietly in the cool. We were about to leave but the attendant said not to as it was pouring rain. So we just stood near the barrier to the main church and started talking to a female police officer who offered to give us a brief tour of the cathedral so under the ropes we went. We saw Cam and Stacey inside sheltering from the storm which quickly passed. Caught up with some of the group for a beer then back to the bus. Dinner was at a restaurant up the hill from San Baronto.

July 22

A late start following a cafe across the road watching the passing parade of cyclists and the old guys on the corner. Said goodbye to Cameron and Stacey who were off to Rome before going their separate ways. We were transported to last nights restaurant where we were to have our cooking class. A light lunch of pasta and pate bruschetta and some aniseed wafers with some wine then we donned aprons and hats before the chef Salvatore demonstrated the making of the pasta for the ravioli and then the filling with the help of our Scottish interpreter Dawn. Then into the hot (caldo) kitchen for pancake prep and cooking and then the spinach and cheese filling followed by the tomato sauce prep. Vegetable prep, seafood prep and desert prep were the other areas. We split into groups for each prep, Michelle the pasta and I went for the pannacotta. It was a great afternoon with everyone getting involved. Then back to the hotel to clean up for the dinner of our labours.

Sicily - Lipari

normandmichelle — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 03:32:00 GMT

July 16

Up early to FaceTime the family before a light breakfast and off to Milazzo. There must have been 40 tunnels and 20 odd bridges to negotiate on the way as we followed the coast. Apparently there are 40 k worth of tunnels on the way. Dropped the car off in Milazzo about 500 m from the ferry terminal to Lipari. Lugged the cases in the heat and got there in plenty of time. Cafe freddo was good. A 1 hour ferry trip with one stop at Vulcano which was sulphuring away before arriving at Lipari and a taxi up the hill to the hotel. Bite to eat down the main street before heading back up the hill for a swim in the pool then dinner in the restaurant. Great view from the room overlooking the ocean.

july 17

Looked at booking a car tour of the island and ended up taking an island tour by boat from 2 pm until around 10.30 pm out to Panarea then the active volcano Stromboli. We spent a couple of hours wandering the streets and watching tourists and the locals running around in their 3 wheel Piaggio utes. Got back on the boat as the sun set and headed to the west side of the island to view the eruptions. Pretty spectacular, we saw around 4 big eruptions sending red hot scree rolling down the mountain to the sea and a number of smaller ones in around 45 minutes along with other boats before heading back to Lipari about an hour away.

July 18

Wandered down to the port where I found a barber for a hair cut then found a salon for Michelle where we were exposed to a little threatre from the hairdresser - parrucchiere who got his underlings to do the menial tasks while he swanned around with passion looking for inspiration and asking if I wanted cafe? We then had a light salad lunch and had a tour of the island by car. This was not driven by our man from yesterday or in the car he indicated. It was by a young girl maybe his girlfriend in a small car. Her English was reasonable and she stopped for photos and explained what we were looking at pretty well. Including caper bushes which we had no idea how they grew - wild ones on roadside cliffs. Also saw where the pumice mines were before UNESCO put a stop to its export. Back to the hotel for a swim. Decided to have dinner in town. As we left the hotel we met a Norwegian man who had been staying at the same hotel in Cefalu. He invited us back to meet his wife and friend at their hotel. We all had dinner together 1030 and they were interesting and delightful. A rather late night followed.

Sicily - Palermo/Cefalu

normandmichelle — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 01:52:00 GMT

July 14

Breakfast, checked out and off to Palermo. drive in was ok but very busy in the city and some difficulty in finding a car park. Found a spot and decided to walk towards the port with a detour via the Botanic Gardens where we asked for directions. Gardens were very dry, lots of cactus and common AUS plants. We then walked down to The Grande Hotel de Palmes a wonderfully preserved hotel for refreshment. Then on to the fountain of the nymphs and the true centre of Palermo the Theatre of the Sun. Generally just a big city with lots of rubbish around. Found our way back to the car, we had parked near the main station but all was good. It was still there. Wound our way out of the city through lots of streets - thankfully the GPS showed us the way but her accent with some of the local via's is questionable. Good highway and tollway to Cefalu arriving around 3pm to the Rosebud of Sicily x 5. Enormous traffic congestion, no parking, thousands of umbrellas, and many thousand people in the water, on the beach and walking. Found the guesthouse with its private parking and met Valerio the owner who together with a visitor from Norway made us feel very welcome explaining what to see, where to go, and gave us a good tour of the facilities. So we went for a wander along the beachfront ending near the old city where we had a delicious hamburger chips and beer. Dinner was at a linked pizzeria The Gold Spider pizza choice was not great but table on the road gave us front seats for the entertainment - local music/dance troupe but nothing comes for free!

July 15

Spent the morning looking for a replacement power adaptor as we had left ours behind in Marsala and a new card for Norm's camera as the current one is full! Success for the tourists on both counts then down to the beach for a swim. Lunch of hotdogs and a beer followed by another swim. Out to dinner which was really good, of course - Ristorante il Normanno, pasta in squid ink, pork fillets, fettuccine with broad bean purée, caponata and a sea urchin sauce, fish involtini and a delicious small broad bean salad. Semifreddo for me while Michelle had the fresh seasonal fruits - a pear, orange, nectarines, a plum and some cherries plonked on a plate! Nice wander back to the hotel through the old town picking up a bright trinacria souvenir.

Photos: Sicily Agrigento/Trapani

normandmichelle — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 18:11:00 GMT

Sicily - Agrigento/Trapani/Marsala

normandmichelle — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 17:25:00 GMT

July 11

Breakfast in the window watching the renovations across the road. Sand, cement, rocks and steel and a winch in the upper window to pull up the buckets of concrete. (Sabbia, cemento, pietre e acciaio e un verricello nella finestra in alto a tirare su i secchi di cemento). See the language is no barrier. Dragged our cases down the road to the car as there was no way we could park in front of the hotel - not to mention get around THAT corner again Although I know it would have been ok. Drove through Ragusa Alta up hill in peak traffic for what seemed like 30 min, cars going and coming from everywhere, I think Michelle fell asleep. Drove through mountains to Agrigento found a parking spot in the 35 C heat and got a taxi to the top of the Valley of the Temples park - great move as most of the main ruins are on the East end. Incredible structures or what's left of them especially Tempia della Concordia constructed around 430 BC. Lots of tombs built into the city walls. Took around 2 h and well worth it esp as we were walking downhill. Drove on to Marsala where we were lost for a few minutes and then eventually to Baglio Oneto about 20 k out. This is a hotel/resort surrounded by vines and olive trees on top of a hill overlooking the distant ocean and Trapani, with a pool, car parking :), restaurant, winery and good rooms. Took in the view with some replenishing liquids following the long drive 4 h! then showered and dressed to impress for dinner. After dinner we were invited to a Marsala tasting in the winery (at cost) so joined a Swiss family where we tasted Zibbibo - only grown in Sicily but Michelle disagreed as we also grow it in the Ovens Valley. Think I better check? Of course we do - Brown Bros and others. Also tasted the marsala not what either of us expected and not as fruity as the Zibboboibo (whatever that is). They also provided a piccolo dessert and cheese platter. Turned out the Swiss family had also stayed in the same hotel in Ragusa.

July 12

After a good breakfast (there was bacon and eggs and cereal) we headed off to Trapani. We had asked at the desk about parking, which is a huge problem in all these medieval towns. Concierge told us to park at the port which was free. Found the park easily enough, but was conned into tipping some random guy who was running around showing people which parks were free. Went to the closest hotel for a town map and some directions to the funicular which would take us up to Erice. Started to walk, but found the going too hot and too far. Caught the bus the rest of the way up the hill. The people at the bus stop and on the bus were so very friendly and helpful giving us direction of where to hop off and where to find the entrance to the cable car. The cable car!! The steepest longest ride in the world. Arrived at the top of the hill/mountain with several other thousand tourists, baking hot. Wandered around town, delicious lunch of couscous and fish which Marsala is famous for. Found the famous cake shop mentioned in lonely planet and of course bought some cakes and found a shady spot to eat. Time to return to Marsala. Back to the cable car for a very windy trip back down the hill. Not Michelle's favourite travel experience. Driving home decided to stop at the local supermarket to get some supplies. Forgot that all the shops shut until 4.15. Or vaguely sometime after that when they turn up, like 4.25. Bought some cheese and bread for a pre dinner snack. Went for a swim in the pool, which was fantastic in this heat. Talked to Eric as he is at Dorothy St. He was complaining about the reduced food options and the 8 coffee mugs in the sink, but is ok awaiting his brother coming home for dinner. Cameron arrived in S France and is coping with the driving ok just a little difficult finding a camping spot apparently, getting ready for Le Tour. We had a delicious dinner back at the resort, steak and veal, but we have realised that they are continually up selling. Would you like to try this that or the other. To the tune of 12.00 euros for two small Marsala.

July 13

Hot. Talked to Eric after he sent a text of South Croydons 3rd quarter scores - eventual winners by 4 pts, That's 4 in a row Go Doggies. Went for a drive for something to do!! Drove into Marsala via the Conad (market for baguettes, lunch) checked out the waterfront and rocky beaches then back to the hotel-35C swim - "Open all day" - but not before 9 or b/w 12 & 3.30 or after 7pm, one does wonder sometimes. Big tour of the winery - old basket press and I think we counted maybe 6 barrels on view. OK so maybe the wine is made somewhere else. Dinner in the outdoors again and were not up-sold.

Photos: Sicily - Ragusa Ibla

normandmichelle — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 06:10:00 GMT

Sicily - Ragusa Ibla

normandmichelle — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 20:12:00 GMT

July 9

Followed some familiar roads out of the Syracuse past the archeological area and then onto some rural roads aka highways heading towards Ragusa. One section of rather narrow highway had about 1/3 missing downhill following a landslide. Very few cars - obviously not the main route but lots of driving practise! We followed the GPS to the hotel - great but we were facing the wrong direction to get up the angled road so parked and walked back for directions as plenty of one way streets. If we had a small car we could follow this route...... After missing the right turn twice on the third pass we sought help from a lady parking her car. No you need to go down there > so as we drove up a small alleyway opened up between two buildings and down we went -just! Back at the hotel we managed to park 10 cm from the wall only to find out we had a "large car" which couldn't be left there as it would block, no now is blocking the traffic. More directions and now some tooting so up to a small area off the alley to let the tooters pass, one getting out and helping with directions saying we had to go left but it will take many minutes to make the turn in such a big car! Got it in one go and didn't scrape even a mirror! This ended in the main piazza and we found the correct road to park then negotiated the 300 steps back up to the hotel. Lugged our cases up the road and up another via to our room level so we didn't have to lug them up the exceptionally narrow spiral ancient rock staircase. Wandered through to the gardens before a sandwich and arancini for lunch. Back to the hotel for a showery bath via a hand phone arrangement. Received Pauline's call.

Walked to Piazza della Repubblica and into the Chiesa della Anime del Purgatorio - Souls of Purgatory Church for some quiet time and a blessing from the priest. Needing a drink but finding nothing too favourable we went down some stairs to find a girl setting up a restaurant for dinner at 8pm! She spoke in perfect English that this was also a hotel and she would gladly get drinks, a light snack, organise a hotel tour and reserve a table for dinner. Which she promptly did. Jessica was delightful, asking us for correct usage of various words and phrases. She would love to travel but her parents were against the idea. We told her of Cameron's adventure and she couldn't believe that we wouldn't stop him. We enjoyed another fantastic meal, avocado salad with prawns, mussels bread and spaghetti marinara with a little hot chilli.

Dusty floor and tables due to sandstone disintegration.

July 10

Good breakfast of homemade bread, cheese, ham and fruit. Cappuccino and off to the Cathedral. Lit a candle for everyone. Wandered around town some more getting lost. Then decided to get a baguette made up for lunch at the local deli, Spar. Walked back to hotel, checked our mail in the lobby as the rooms don't have the Internet. It's so hot here from midday until 4pm everything closes and everyone disappears for a siesta, which is what we did too. More room "dust" falling as I type. On our way to dinner we called into the Chiesa della Anime del Purgatorio where we again met the Priest who gave us another blessing after some explanation. We went back to the previous nights restaurant, La locanda deli iblei for dinner and met just about the whole family this time. Good local food -involtini was great and very hospitable people.

Sicily - Syracuse

normandmichelle — Mon, 8 Jul 2013 00:45:00 GMT

July 7

Up and out after breakfast. Caught the bus back to the parking area outside of the city. Fired up the GPS and head to Syracuse. Speed limits and indicators are apparently optional. Bit worried Norm is starting to think and drive like an Italian. Had no problems on our approach to the city. After several circuits, we found what we thought was the closest parking area. We rang the hotel and they said it was ok to drive right up to the door, so we put the address in and set off. As we were doing a right hand turn I noticed a red light and said to Norm I don't think we can drive up there. A local man was wagging his finger at us. He came over to the car and told us we would be fined. As we were talking with him saying the hotel had ok'd it the police arrived and after a short discussion they said Hotel Roma? follow us, and escorted us to the door of the hotel down a very narrow tourist street and across a square which we wouldn't have gone down after our experience in Taormina. The hotel would look after the car parking. The Hotel Roma is so much nicer than the last. Quick walk around town to get our bearings lots of stationary boats full of people in the harbour - worked out no beach so they swim/eat on their boats. Pizza for lunch. Watching the men's finale of Wimbledon and Le Tour before dinner.

July 8

We went out early to look at the local produce market - only located some basic souvenir stalls so back to the hotel for breakfast, to find we needed to go one street further!! Basic b/fast although hard boiled eggs were pounced on. Market was really great with lots of fresh veg and fruit, spices and some amazing fish stalls with enormous 0.5m wide red tuna and swordfish. After a lap we then walked back over the bridge and through the city to the archeological site. Roman theatre was interesting with Eucalypts on one side and a sunken section in the middle that could be flooded via aqueducts so they could simulate navel battles. Then past allegedly the worlds largest alter carved out of limestone some 23 x 198 m where 450 cattle were slaughtered at one time before roasting them and feeding the masses. On to the Greek theatre which like the one in Taormina was being set up for an event.

This was all carved out of the mountainside with large burial chambers at the top and a water fall fed by a aqueduct and great views from the top down to the ocean. There was a large sunken garden Paradise Latomia, with man made caves around the edge - quarries, one with great acoustics - Ear of Dionysius 65 m long and 23 m high where even the faintest sounds are amplified. The whole garden was overrun with flowering Oleanders of all colours. Wandered our way back towards Syracuse Oritiva and found a great cafe where we shared a freshly made baguette of fresh sliced ham, cheese, tomato and marinated olives - perfecto. A rest then a short walk to the harbour for a beer then on to the best restaurant so far Al Mazari. Family run and in the Michelin Guide. We had red tuna carpaccio each then I had a "delicious Sea Bass" while Michelle chose the sardine pasta with pine nuts wild fennel and toasted breadcrumbs. A local red wine blend was also easily consumed. Dessert was cheesecake with chocolate, too much!

Photos: Sicily

normandmichelle — Fri, 5 Jul 2013 21:25:00 GMT

Sicily - Taormina

normandmichelle — Tue, 2 Jul 2013 16:10:00 GMT

July 4

Up early for pickup at 0600. Got to the airport in around 20 min! Through security eventually - overlooked sun cream was verboten. Flight to Munich was Ok the plane had props so Michelle not overly impressed. Then the 3.5 how wait for the Catania flight. Scraped enough Euro's together for a baguette as forgot to get some cash earlier. Angus rang and told us about Pa being in hospital following a suspected stroke - which we had already deduced.

He had visited with Tess last night and found him OK and comfortable. We collected a Opel diesel as the Porsche Boxter was in for repair and off we went for the 45 min drive to Taormina at breakneck speed. No parking in the main streets and after going where no one had been before in a car we eventually manoeuvred our way to the public parking area and caught a shuttle closer to the town centre. A 200m walk in drizzle to the hotel Isabella - small Italian (the hotel) a rather crowded bathroom but sensational views - check the photos. We wandered for 15 min before sitting with a Biera Grande and watching the passing parade. Dinner was exceptional in what appeared to be a family run rest. - Michelle's spaghetti with anchovies and breadcrumbs just out scored my pappardelle with shrimps and pistachios . More Biera Grande and some red of the house was followed by the most sensational Semifreddo ever.

A really amazing town both for its architecture built on the side of a substantial hill and the variety of restaurants in such close proximity.

Can't get a Le Tour result crappy CNN only.

July 5

Basic breakfast on the rooftop of the hotel with amazing views of the coast and Mt Etna shrouded in cloud. Then a short walk to the Greek theatre which was being set up for Rigoletto on the weekend. A guy started singing" o sole mio "-great voice and was met with applause from onlookers and some workmen. We then toured the public gardens and some old ruins around them, with great views of the ocean and port below. Leisurely lunch - grilled sardines or calamari + local ale and Blog catchup before an afternoon siesta. Had to hunt for glasses to have a G&T - better than disposable plastics on room offer. Did a lap of the town, no luck so had a light refreshment in the Irish pub while watching the Wimbledon semi-final between Jokovich and Del-Potro. My local bottleshop "mate"was able to help out with directions to a local store for glasses, so I bought a grande beer to keep him on side. We returned to the same restaurant from last night great again esp the anti-pasta then a cannoli and candied orange on the way home - for me.

July 6

We decided to hike up to Castel Mola, up from Taormina. The guide book said it was a 20 min uphill walk with the last section being more challenging. It took us closer to an hour and the whole walk was pretty steep. A stinking hot day and little shade didn't help. We stopped of at a little grotto chapel and said a few prayers. Continued on up to the top. Wandered around the medieval streets. stopped of for a lemon granita. Delicious. The cafe was a little weird, nearly every artefact, chair, stair rail and tap was a penis. Didn't notice till we sat down. The view from the roof was spectacular. We could see over the coast and Taoramina. Walked back down the hill. Slightly less difficult. Returned to the hotel absolutely done in. Siesta. Had lunch at the restaurant across from the hotel as we were too stuffed to walk any further. More wandering around town, bought a tea towel. Dinner at our favourite restaurant again "Baccanale". Sat on the verandah with a cold drink trying to see if we could hear the opera "Rigoletto" chatted to a family from Finlad, who were going home early the next day.

Photos: Prague

normandmichelle — Tue, 2 Jul 2013 02:36:00 GMT

St Jacobs Basilica

Prague

normandmichelle — Mon, 1 Jul 2013 01:44:00 GMT

Sun June 30: After a good nights sleep and great breakfast. We attended mass at St. Jacobs baroque basilica. This was very moving even though we couldn't understand any of it apart from Amen & Allelluia. There was a young boy soprano and a female soloist whose singing was truely Spine tingling. We then headed off on a self guided walking tour of the old town and Jewish quarter. Along with half a million other tourists. Wenceslas square, the Charles bridge and st Agnes convent. A late lunch of beer, sausage, potato and grated horseradish. Back to the hotel to rest our tired feet. Dinner of rabbit and duck before wandering back through the main old town square. This city is full of shops selling crystal, amber and absinth as well as garnet - allegedly Michelle's Chinese birthstone.

Mon July 1: Decided we would take the tram to the Prague castle so got detailed directions from the hotel desk and off we went. Nice scenic tram ride but got the impression all was not according to plan. A young lady asked if we needed help - yes this is the right tram but wrong direction. Well at least we got out of the city. The castle is enormous but largely empty save for the 1.5 m tourists in 53 groups. Our little detour made us arrive at peak time. Plenty to see and great views back over the city. We walked back down the hill - 1200 steps for pizza and liquid refreshments before crossing the river via Charles bridge and staggering over the cobblestones to the hotel. Well we did stop for some shopping for someone's Chinese birthstone! Delicious meal in the hotel - venison and veal together with a Czech pinot.

Tue July 2:

Walked to the New town Hall (1400's) and climbed the tower to over look Charles square. Enjoyed the sunshine in the park, where a local television news program was being filmed and headed back to Wenceslas Square for some lunch. browsed the shops, where Norm bought some shoes, walked some more. Had to leave one restaurant/bar as patrons their all smoking. What is it with Europeans and smoking?

Wed July 3

This morning took a boat ride on the Vlatava for an hour on a small boat where we were the only customers, cute and entertaining. Walked around the lesser town, the Franz Kafka museum and the Vojanovy gardens where several peacocks were screeching and displaying their feathers. Walked to the Czech senate gardens, very impressive with an arcitect designed wall and huge avairy of owls then back to the Charles bridge. Had goulash soup in a bread bowl for lunch. back to the hotel for a rest..dinner of Pork knuckle, horseradish and mustard, pannacota and Slivovitz then packed our bags ready for tomorrow's trip to Sicily via Munich.

Melbourne to Prague via Singapore & Dubai

normandmichelle — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 02:51:00 GMT

Left home on the 28th June @ 2.30. Following a huge week. We are both exhausted, not the best way to start a thirty hour trip. Being picked up by the hire car does help. A champagne before we left also helped. The flight to Singapore was uneventful, with an hour layover, Michelle discovered a huge cold sore brewing so bought some cream to dry it out. the flight to Dubai seemed to go on forever. 4 hour wait in Dubai, then on to Prague. Quick walk around the town, across the Charles' bridge along with about 700 other tourists.had some potato dumplings sauerkraut for tea with 2 large beers. Trying to stay awake until night time here.

Photos: Singapore

normandmichelle — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:49:00 GMT

Photos: Langenfeld

normandmichelle — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:24:00 GMT

Photos: Hattersheim

normandmichelle — Wed, 8 Sep 2010 19:05:00 GMT