Water place to visit

A world away from Milan in many ways, Venice has been an extravaganza! There's been so much to do that only now are we content with just sitting instead of closely studying canals, museums, churches and impressive Venetian Squares.

Yesterday started (after an attempted conversation with il signora on reception; i think she slightly resembled Natalie Portman in Star Wars) with croissants for breakfast, and then a walk to the railway where we hopped on a boat bus snaking us down the Grand Canal. The traffic and mayhem (which isn't overly distracting; at times it's very calm) simply doesn't detract from the awe inspiring nature of it all. As Tommy will attest to, the draw of the place is incredible, and the Grand Canal was for us the highlight. It is very arguable that with increasing globalisation and this fast paced, commercial world, Venice is becoming one of the few truly unique cities left on the planet.

After that little splutter of pessimism, more on our day of exploration! After the boat trip we disembarked at the district known as Arsenale at the east of the city. Mark had been keen to see what the city had to offer in ways of historical battlements and weaponry. Instead, we found the starts of Venice's biennial international art exhibition, some of the photos of which I hope I've uploaded. We didn't see much as we were headed for San Marco's square but it was at the very least thought provoking.

San Marcos square was very good looking but maybe it's reputation had got to us. It is bordered mainly by high end fashion shops, café/restaurants and gelataria's, and the cathedral at the end was rather stunning, but with endorsements from the likes of Napoleons, I think we expected more.

Free that it was a leisurely stroll back to the hostel (no signora by this time) we had some drinks, a small chill-ax and then out again to assess the available ristorantes! This time we found a beauty, brilliant place and we may even grace it with our presence later. More wine and games after that and then a steady sleep.

Today we checked out, another fleeting chat with seniorita, breakfast from the shop and then off to follow our hearts and dreams; hiring a boat. As tommy explains "after a lengthy ramble around many alleys, we decided they were more likely to be found near water." But it now seems like its not possible. So in the end, we settled for any kind of water activity; but that doesn't seem possible either. Not even in the lagoon.

To tie up the rest of our afternoon, we abandoned our search, took a marginally perilous 50c gondola ride across the Grand Canal and, after more aimless strolling, are now sat playing cards drinking on a crossroads of 2/3 alleys. Our only choice of train to he Slovenian capital of Ljubljana is at 9:something this evening, so we're preparing for a rough journey.

Tell you more soon.

J

Location:Venice

Some pictorial evidence

Found a Wi-fi hotty spotty so heres some pics

Firstly, rogue Italian driver in rain storm with a point to prove got me good


























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Wrong time of year...

Before we start (i say 'we' as theres now 4 of us with inputs) we should say we are happy with our time in milan. We got to experience what we were looking for; the main bulk of the city and the San Siro stadium. However, as is clear from the title, we couldn't really take in the able city as lots of it closes for the hot summer month of August.

Another thing to mention is that it seemed a hundred times easier to buy a dress/handbag/ meaningless accessory than it would be to find somewhere selling fruit. On our second day we must have travelled for 2 miles in search of a mini supermarket and all we found were extortionate fashion boutiques and mucho expensiveé cafes.

The San Siro was impressive, the parks were attractive and the weather was hot so it was no disappointment. And we did eventually find a big supermarket!

Anyway, after an annoying early train ride, we're now in Venice, and it is gorgeous! The scouting mission is complete, we've established ourselves and ready to take on the rest of the city tomorrow. In general it's not as expensive as we thought, and we're talking about hiring a boat in a couple of days and tearing it up in the lagoon!

Keep you posted
X

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Location:Venice

Un verre di vino rosso si vous pláit.

Made it to Milan and not a problem to speak of... except for the language. I can't seem to switch between the pigeon french that we survived on and the bare bones, comedy value Italian that will dominate the next four days. Anyway, I'm sure it'll come.

We woke fine and sat in a park overlooking the lake until our train departed. Mark got slightly sunburnt/tanned, much to his delight!

The train journey was as spectacular as we had hoped, and the train itself was the best we've been on (I didnt think that would sound as boring as it does.)

So we made our way to the hostel/hotel which is fantastic too; it is definitely a hotel but at a reduced rate because we've heard Milan empties in August as everyone heads for somewhere less stiflingly hot. Right now we're sat in a bar watching an electric storm unfold above the city drinking red vino. You might be picturing a romantic scene, but it's really not.

Ok, ciao for now, and any other cliché farewells!
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It ain't half hot mum

Hello again,


It's been a while, theres been a lot to do and not enough time to do it, but Mark and I are now going to attempt to recall as much as we can!

We left Cannes after a brief tour; unfortunately we couldn't drop our bags anywhere and this hampered mobility. The arrival into Marseille was followed by our introduction to the oddest hostel we've been too. Max
meant well but his rules were just boring. 'Shoes off at the door' was one of the strangest.


A wander around Marseille confirmed what we had heard and read. It has quite a bit of character and the port is very appealing (it almost seemed quite Eastern), but it's not a very friendly city and was quite gloomy in parts.


We didn't stay out long as on the Tuesday we got up early and took the train to Aix en Provence which was very quaint, gorgeous and friendly. Lots of people there, another day of fantastic sun, and even had abit of a nosey in some shops as I want a hat. More beers, cards and food then back to Marseille. Very chilled evening, met some more people and failed to sleep properly due to the heat.



Wednesday was spent in Avignon, famous for its half built bridge and it's Palais du Papes; the former residence of a man called the 'Pope' who is head of something called Catholocism... but then he found a better place in Rome. Maybe it had better Air Con, because it was really hot in Avignon too.

Anyway, there was some kind of theatre troop which was good, then a few bottles of wine on the main street (looking good!!) and then headed back to Marseille. As soon as we got back we met more new people, a group of whom were just about to head out for drinks. Mark was justifiably knackered but I couldn't resist. So some more wine and beer flowed and the six of us (all of different nationality) talked and bantered until the early hours in a bar near to the port; it was awesome!

Getting up for the 9am train to Geneva pieces far trickier for me than Mark, even though I'd kept him awake a bit with my dorm sleep-walking... Sorry 'bout that!
But we made it with plenty of time, stopped off for an hour in Lyon (first impressions were good, very hot again) ad then trained to Geneva. There's so much to do here, but it's all so expensive and we only have 24 hrs. We've been around the lake, got the boat across (how romantic) and idled through the harbour-side summer festival/ fair... Everything was tempting us to spend money, but we resisted and are now looking forward to the alpine train tomorrow; should be some stunning photos, to be sure, to be sure.

That's enough for now, Bon Soir!


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Location:Geneva

In no particular order...

Just a few photos all over that took my fancy.



































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Cannes you believe it?!

Bon jour!

Ok, brief update. We're currently on a train headed towards Marseille.

On saturday night we went out into Nicé with almost all the people in our dorm, très bien! New drinking games were learnt, mercí. Yesterday we woke at
the normal time of about 10am and after breakfast went in search of bikes (du velo) which was easy enough. With Megan, a girl from Canada, we headed east along to coast to the port, had a jump off the rocks then backtracked all the way to the western part of the city. After a swim and a snooze, Mark and I went out and ordered carpaccio, which arrived quickly As it was a raw meat dish... Ha! Who knew?!

Today we left Nice as early as we could, got on the train to Cannes and stayed there for a good 2 hours; there was no baggage holds so getting around was a pain. Consequently we're on the way to Marseille where we stay for 3 nights, with trips to Avignon and Aix de provence whilst we're there.

No photos again unfortunately , but there will be soon,

Adios


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