Venice & Vienna

Venice was very interesting to visit. First a boat from the mainland to Venice, then to the Glassblowers to see the famous Venician glass. Very nice stuff, but a little out of my spending range. A little walk about to see the bell Tower and Cathedral and some of the canals, before going on a Gondala ride thru Venice. One of the boats in front of us had a guy playing the accordian and singing. Quite enjoyable. Then off on a boat again to Burano island for lunch and a bit of free time. Wonderful seafood and colorful buildings. It is a less busy island and was nice as it was VERY hot and humid. 

Venice or Wien as the Austrian's call it is a very clan and beautiful city. We saw the Shonbrun summer palace (1441 rooms!) and the Hofbrun Palace (2500 rooms) before spending the afternoon wandering around the ring (center of Venice) area and doing some shopping. Weather is cool and drizzling today (Feels like home) but enjoyable for us Canadians! We took advantage of the cool weather and some free time to finally catch up on laundry, before going out to a concert of Mozart and Strauss followed bzy a light supper. Wonderful!

Off to Salzburg and Innsbruck today. A late start as our bus had a small accident this morning so we have to wait for a replacement. It gives me time to catch up on this and other items. Will post some pictures when I can  

Nice, Monaco, Florence & Rome

It's been a busy few days! We've been out late or leaving early in the morning to see the sites. We arrived in Nice after a long ride in the bus. All the hi-ways in europe have toll roads everywhere (private owned hi-ways) and are quite expensive at approximately 0.10 euro/km!

We had a hotel right near the downtown in Nice with Balconies looking out onto the street. After checking in, we went for a quick walking tour to orient us and then we had time to wander the city. We went to check out the beach which is very rocky (no sand) and then off to check out the Souvenir shops. The Promenade along the beach was funded by the wealthy English as a make work project after a snowfall left many of the locals without crops and starving many centuries ago. Nice has been under the control of Romans, Greeks, Italian and French so has much character. Many celeberties have homes here (Elton John, Roger Moore, Claudia Schiffer, Bono, etc). The airport is right on the edge of the sea and is one of the busiest in the world with a plane leaving every minute.

We went for a tour of a Perfumery and to the Medieval village of St. Paul's before having lunch at the top of a hill overlooking the Mediterranean. Both the view and the food were excellent! Then off to swim in the Sea and wander around the old town and along the Promenade. We didn't get back to the Hotel until just before midnight.

We went to Monaco (2nd smallest country in the world) and saw the Palace and enjoyed the gardens, before heading off to view the leaning tower in Pisa today as well as the Cathedral, before heading to Florence (birthplace of the Renaissance) to our Hotel. We went to a Leather shop to see the famous Florentine leather before wandering the town and taking pictures of the covered bridge, and picking up some souvenirs. The Gelato's are excellent! Only 33c today with a breeze so it feels cool! Never thought I'd ever think that!

Off to Rome early this morning to see Rome! We did an afternoon walking tour (Spanish steps, Panthenon (Raphaels's tomb), and various Piazza's (squares) before having time to wander on our own. We had a wonderful meal with Bruschetta, Romae style pizza (thin crust and toppings and very tasty) and of course Gelato for desert! On our way back to the hotel, we saw the 'Wedding cake or sometimes called the Typewriter monument', various Roman ruins (sections of wall& towers), Colleseum and Circus Maximus at night before heading back to the hotel. One could easily spend a week in each place and still be wanting to spend more time!

We are off early again this morning to see the Vatican (smallest country in the world) and its wonders like the Sistine Chapel. Absolutely phenominal! Then on to tour thru the Colleseum. What a massive structure and amazing piece of architecture and engineering! Very hot today 38C. We went back to the hotel for a siesta before heading off for a wonderful Italian dinner (waiters were very funny and food was excellent) and a quick stop at the Trevi fountain to make a wish.

We headed out early today to slip back thru Florence to see the Statue of David and the Cathedral which has beautiful red, green and white marble inlays before heading to our hotel just on the edge of Venice.

Some photos from Paris & Avignon

Some photos of the Louvre, Popes Palace in Avignon.

Avignon to Barcelona

Another long day in the bus thru the South of France and into Spain. The countryside coming into Spain is hilly and rocky and very dry, but lots of grapes to be seen from the road. It is only around 28C in Barcelona, a welcome relief from the 35 C we have been seeing. A quick tour of the city (Temple (only 60% complete after 128 years), Olympic area & Parc du Mont Juic for a view of the city and Mediterranean sea before a traditional dinner and a Flamenco show. Tomorrow a trip to Mont Serat (sp?) and then the afternoon to spend in the city shopping and wandering before dinner with the group at the Hotel. An apartment downtown is only $15MMEuro! I'll add some pictures tomorrow whenI have more time.

London & Paris

Well we made it safe and sound to Heathrow and after a cab ride (all cabs are the same old-fashioned shape so you can't miss them) arrived at our hotel where we promptly met the Trafalgar rep and booked ourselves on an all day tour of London. We were all pretty beat, so after a 45 min nap, headed out in search of food and ended up at a fine Indian place.

Everyone had no problems getting up and being down to hop on the Tour for the day bright and early. We saw the Royal Albert Hall & Statue of Albert (husband of Queen victoria), House of Organists, Royal Parks which all belong to the Queen (Hyde/Kensington Gardens and others), Park Avenue, before seeing the Changing of the Guards and our traditional lunch of fish and chips off of Trafalgar Square. Then off again to ST. Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London (Crown jewels, torture instruments and roayl armoury) and finally cruise on the Thames before grabbing a taxi home. Must have been a good day as everyone managed to kill their Camera battery

Off to Paris (early rise at 4:00 AM). Long day in the bus. White Cliffs at dover and Ferry ride to Calais before hitting the road to Paris. France is beautiful with lots of greenery and rolling hills with lots of trees and crops. We hit 35C today! We arrived at the hotel and were able to frshen up before going off to dinner and a Caberet witht he entire group. We get to sleep in until 6:30 tomorrow!

Woke up to a gentle rain (feels more like a warm shower) and spent the first few hours touring with it raining making pictures a bit difficult from the bus. We had an excellent guide from Paris tour us around the city (Arc de Triumph, Egyptian monument, Musee D'Orsee, etc) and then to the Eiffel Tour and Louvre before having some time to shop for souvenirs. A quick trip back to the hotel to get cleaned up and off to dinner and a cruise on the Seine river to see the sites of the city and the Eiffel tower lighted up.

Up early again to hit the Road to Avignon. 700 Km's to make today. Stopped in Moutelimar for some Nougat and at the Palace of the Popes and some time to shop before heading to the hotel. A quick dinner at the hotel and catching up on e-mails as we head out early tomorrow for Barcelona.

We are finally on our way!

It's hard to believe we are finally going after almost 2 years of planning and preparation. I' m sure I've forgotten something, but will just have to deal with it when I finally remember. Lets hope the weather will be better there than its been here! Our first stop is London where we get scome time to wonder around (buy a cheap phone and sim card) before starting our tour. Stay tuned for pictures and comments.