Island of Capri

Up and out early this morning to catch the transport to the Isle of Capri. Firstly we hopped on the crazy fast bus that twisted and turned its way down to the marina in Sorrento, then ran to catch the 7.45am ferry over to the island. We definately felt like we were on the Amazing Race and about to be eliminiated!
Things calmed down after we arrived on the island. We took a boat with a guide around the whole island checking out the many grottos including a blue grotto where the sun shines through and creates this amazing blue colour in the water. Very peaceful and beautiful - spectacular scenery and very relaxing on our little boat. Unfortunately it is jellyfish season so we could not swim. The water is still a little cool but it did look very inviting - but apparently these jelly fish leave a nasty sting and scar so not really worth it.
After the boat cruise we took another crazy bus ride up to the town of Anacapri where we then caught a chairlift up to the very top of the island. Absolutely beautiful view. It is interesting though that Naples cannot be seen from any viewpoint as it seems to be covered in smog. Does not look like a very inviting place.
We wandered around Anacapri which is a very sweet and pretty town then caught another crazy bus down to the main town of Capri. The kids had a little dip in the ocean on the "beach" - very large rocks and pebbles making it a very wobbly entrance to the water.
Ferry back to Sorento for gelato and coffee and then bus back to convent.
So in summary - bus-ferry-boat-bus-chairlift-bus-ferry-bus-gelato-bus. No wonder I feel tired this afternoon!!

Pompeii

Today we caught the train to Sorrento to check out what we should do for the next three days after getting some advise about Capri we though we should venture out to Pompeii which is near Napoli and go to Capri tomorrow. Pompeii is a town which was buried under ash and rock from the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 AD. It is huge and absolutely amazing and very interesting.

Tuscany to Sorento

Today we did the long drive south to our next leg of the trip - Sorento. We are actually staying at a small town just outside Sorento, San Agnello in a convent for catholic nuns that is also a B&B, so it is a really interesting place to stay. We have the most amazing view of Mt Vesuvius from our window.
After arriving we just went for a wander into the town. It is very busy here and the roads are crazy. Planning to leave the car parked for the next few days.

Cinque Terre and leaning tower Pisa

HUGE DAY! We are exhausted. We set out afterbreakfast to drive towards the coast where we planned to catch the train along to the "cinque terre" - five villages built along the coastal cliffs. It is a national park area - recognised as world heritage for it's historical and natural significance. The villages and farms were all built by peasant farmers over many years and it is truly amazing where they have built these houses.
Fortunately things did not quite go according to plan (GPS is not good at finding train stations,no car parks when we did find it) so we ended up walking 3/5 of the "cinque terre". These towns are built on cliffs so you can imagine how many steps and hills were involved! It is well worth it - the views were spectacular. There is a walking path all the way along the coast line (cliffs!) between each of the five villages. So we started at Riomaggiore and walked to two more villages. (Three out of the five villages =3 /5) Along the way is the "del amore" where lovers put their name on a padlock and then throw the key into the sea. Very sweet. (You may have seen it on Getaway recently?)
The kids were very impressive today - my legs are worn out and they have done it all without complaints. They were fed gelato and chocolates along the way though!
And as if that was not enough...on the way home we took a stop by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. While it is touristy - it is still impressive. Cameron was even keen to climb it after all the walking we had already done!! Thank goodness it was closed for the day!
Back for a late dinner - our last evening in Tuscany. We have loved it here and Chris and I are already talking about how much we would like to return to this area one day.

Day trip to Florence

This morning we caught the bus into Florence from Chianti (about 30 min) and then spent the day wandering around Florence. It is a beautiful city.
We climbed to the rooftop of the Santa Maria Cathedral - 463 steps, many of them small and windy until we were literally standing on top of the enormous dome. It was very nerve wracking but worth it as the view was spectacular from up there.
Afterwards we had to have gelati - YUM!
And then we wandered on to the Ponte Vechio - the bridge that is famous for all the gold shops.
We also found some time to do a bit of shopping. :)
Great day - worn out. Found a really yummy local pizza place for dinner and had an early night.

Tuscany - Chianti region

We love it here. The weather is perfect. The food is gorgeous. The people are friendly. The scenery is beautiful. The wine is delicious. What more could we ask for.
Today we have taken it pretty easy - the atmosphere here seems to make you want to do that. We woke to the smell of freshly baked bread as we have the bakery right below our window (which opens on to the piazza - I think I told you that yesterday). Glorious!
After buying some picnic supplies (and a leather handbag! :)) we headed off towards Siena until we found a nice place to eat our bread, cheese, salami, prosciuto and chianti wine. We wandered through the village and bought a gelato then drove back to the hotel to spend some time under the tuscan sun by the pool reading our books. I am literally sitting by the pool in the sun (well ok in the shade) as I write this.
I'm just telling you like it is. Yes it really is that good. Did I mention that the sun is shining but there is the most gorgeous breeze that keeps blowing to keep us cool. Loving it!

Travelling South to Tuscany via Maranello

Today we left Treviso and hit the road again (with the correct destination entered in to the GPS!)
We took a deliberate detour to the town of Maranello - famous for Ferrari's. We visited the Ferrari museum where they have models on display from 1947 - 2009. Very cool. Chris was offered the opportunity to take one for a test drive - for a mere 200 euros for half an hour!! ($300) - he will be happy to wait and drive his subaru like a ferrari when we get back :)
On the road again towards Florence. We are staying at a town outside Florence - Greve in Chianti - we have arrived and are very happy with the place Chris has booked. We are staying right in the town Piazza with a gorgeous view of the Piazza from our window, restaurants and wine tasting all within walking distance. Love it. Under the Tuscan sun it is absolutely gorgeous.
We have already participated in some high-tech wine tasting. You buy a card with a micro chip (like a credit card) for 10 euros and then insert it into a machine which dispenses the wine of your choice to taste. Very impressive. We even have credit left to use tomorrow!
Really excited about exploring this area...

Dolomites

Today we travelled north from Treviso to the mountains and some of the Northern most points of Italy.
Firstly though we entered the wrong town into the GPS and so were happily travelling in the completely wrong direction until we were pulled over by the police! Once they had established that I did not need glasses to drive, we asked them for directions, turned around and headed to the mountains.
We were blown away by the scenery of the dolomites mountains. Absolutely breathtaking around each corner. There were heaps of motorcycles and cyclists (crazy!) on these roads as they are so beautiful. We travelled up to 2195m! The kids were very happy to play in the snow in t-shirts. Cannot describe how spectacular these mountains are. Loved it.

Murano

Back to Venice again today! Fabulous. Today we caught some of the boat buses to the island of Murano - famous for glass. It was very busy and touristy and we have never seen so many glass shops in our life!! While wanting to buy something nice to keep we were also aware that this much glass could not possibly be made on this island - so it has to come from somewhere else - china perhaps? Anyway we bagged some souveniers convincing ourselves that they were genuine and happily travelled back into Treviso for dinner. Venice is a truly amazing place.

Venice

Today we caught the train from Treviso, where we are staying, to Venice. Spectacular. The last time we were here we did not have enough time, so today we really appreciated having the time to just wander the endless alleyways and bridges and to get lost. It was fabulous. It is just an amazing place to be in. Definately one of the favourites so far.
We literally spent all day walking around the city looking at shops - a mixture of glass products and masks (from carnivarle) and just generally exploring the "streets" and bridges. We took the lift (there was not a choice to take the stairs otherwise we would have having eaten lots of pasta already!) up to the top of the bell tower in St Mark's square where the view is lovely and the bells began to ring.
Chris & Cameron went into to the Basillica and came out very impresessed with the gold mosaics all over the place.
Wandered more and more buying some souveniers until we caught the train back again to cook dinner in our room (pasta - again and a chianti wine - molto bene!)