Cinque Terre

Lake Como

Here we are jogging in the morning and following it up with morning caffe. Excellent as always.

The Reality of Blogging Internationally

Hey there, Sorry there was supposed to be some great pictures up here of our exploits in Como, Cinque Terre, Pisa and Florence (we are still trying to do that) but due to computers having Italian language and chinese keyboards in a country that seems to shun technology there's a few technical difficulties. We can assure you that we're having fun and seeing great things and that you can get fantastic coffee pretty much anywhere (except the hostel we're in .... shhh).

J

Como was a magnificent expanse of Alaskan style wilderness, huge lake, snow capped mountains and icy air to go with. It was sunny however (the gorgeous weather continues) and we enjoyed some incredible scenery (which we will share with you asap as J explained) especially at Bellagio! No George Clooney (I think J was more diasappointed than me) but we did have our 1st Italian gelato (not the best but the first and strangely sold to us by an Italian speaking asian woman) and a wonderful 5 star stay.

After Como we headed down to Cinque Terre - probably the most amazing experience so far! - where we were met at the train station by Ugo, the 76yr old father of the woman whose apartment we were staying in. He escorted us up many narrow, winding and cobbled streets to our abode which was an incredible roof top apartment over looking the ocean. We did the whole 12km walk along the cliff top track that links these incredible 5 villages with amazing ocean views not to be outdone by the towns themselves, each delightful in their own way. (Pictures to come.) Had the most amazing pesto (made locally) and gelato at the Cinque Terre and an incredible fish meal at a tiny little restaurant run by the fisherman who catches the fish daily!

Then it was onto Pisa - yes Kylan, we did the leaning photos! (Again, which we will show you asap) What an incredible structure! It really is mind boggling to stand and stare at it.

Florence has been amazing and seriously overwhelming at the same time - so much art, so little time! We did the Uffizi Gallery (our personal favourites were Botocellis Birth Of Venus and Michelangelos Holy Family. We also did Galleria dell Accademia where we saw the David and it really amazed us how much it amazed us! So commanding, a real masterpiece. Lots of Byzantine - love the gothic edge to some - and lots of Jesus but more of Mary.
We also walked the gardens of the Pitti Palace and visited the Cathedral - these guys really spare no expense.

We rode bikes around Florence (and surprisingly did not get run over - the traffic is absolutely mad! - and went running along the Florence river and J bought me gorgeous earrings FROM THE PONTE VECCHIO for Valentines Day - ohhhhhhhhh!

We are onto Siena today to explore more of the tuscan region. Happy Valentines Day to all, hope you are feeling loved and we will do our best to get some piccys up asap.

A xx

Juliet's Balcony in Verona. A highlight in a day that mostly revolved around running for trains at various locations (including fudging our way onto the wrong train that turned out to be about as good as train travel can get in Europe without going 1st class).

Despite Anyetta's 24hr vomiting bug she still manages to pull off chic on the Island of Murano (where Venetian glass is made).

St Mark's Cathedral

San Marco Basilica at Night. Molto Bella!

Here we are up in the Bell Tower. And, yes, it is cold.