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.
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