Sydney

<Good flight, got some sleep but unable to take advantage of the wine list. Michael made up for that with his new friend bringing in supplies from 1st class! Nice.  Raining here. Not far from home.

Abu Dhabi

Here we ate in the BC lounge at Abu Dhabi again. Got in at 8 last night and upgraded for this leg. Grateful for that as I have a nice migrant coming on. Six Senses spa will help I hope. Toured the city with a driver last night;construction, hotels, shopping, roads out with the old, in with the new. I wonder where the soul of this place lives-perhaps closer to the desert. I can vouch that the sand is soft as it is still in my shoe after a look at the Grand Mosque. Spectacular. Seats 40,000 for prayers. Looking forward to being home.

Foggy Milano

We are whizzing along the motorway, traffic is stopped in the opposite direction for 30km at least. 2 degrees outside and thick thick fog. Hope the flight isn't delayed.

Arrivederci Italia

So sorry to be leaving. We have loved being here, speaking your language, eating your food and seeing your history, past and present.
We can't wait to come back with the kids.

Milano

Made it successfully through the rail and metro system intacta. The city and countryside is in foggy darkness and the cathedral is plain spooky. Park Hyatt Milano is everything you'd expect, particularly with the suite upgrade. Attempted a shopping excursion but I'd say that European women and Australian women are different shapes... dinner in a tourist trap but the risotto was nice and it was close. Our 14 hrs on the ground in Milan is whizzing by. It is very cold outside, probably 7 or 8 degrees.
Have spun three times on the bulls balls to ensure good luck. Judging by the hole in the floor I'm not the only one.

Ciao Firenze

A quick whirl through Chiesa Santa Croce to see the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante, Rossini and Galileo (a tribute or a tomb, our Italian couldn't tell us). Ciao to our Royal Suite, and sorry we didn't have time for a spa or sauna. Florence was such an elegant city, a grand old lady with great bone structure!
On the train for Milan via Bologna. Our last sleep in Italy.

Tuscany

The countryside , full of autumn colour and coordinated terracotta rooftop and stone city walls, is so beautiful that a photo can't do it justice.

Florence Explorers

Have spent a lovely day exploring Florence on both sides of the Arno. Recreated a photo of my grandparents in the 70's. Currently eating a slice of pizza outside Santa Croce church in the sun. Florence comes out to play on Sunday (after church of course). Cathedral closed today unless you are Popish. Shops are not so ... Michael took in Palazzo Vecchio the Medici palace. Going in to see tombs of Michelangelo and Dante.

Siena

We are in a traffic jam in our Fiat on the outskirts of Florence. We spent the day in Siena, having successfully managed driving on the right-hand side of the road - well done Michael and the sat-nav.
Siena was a gorgeous wee spot, mostly vehicle free, and so quiet. Cappuccino at Piazza del Campo. I love Siena t-shirt!
We found the chapel where St Catherine of Siena prayed, 3 levels below street level in what looked to be modified grottos. We went to her convent too - our own Sienna Kate has a guardian Saint.
The cathedral was lovely and the views of the Tuscan countryside from the city walls were like a postcard.
Lunch in a tiny spot near St Catherines where the chef showed us a photo of himself racing in the Palio in 1968. Priceless, with a lovely glass if Chianti.

Firenze

The train trip was great, and now here we are in Florence.
Staying at Relais Santa Croce where we have been placed in a Royal suite. 26metres long with two reception rooms, one a living and dining room, one an office. Can't forget the treadmill and jacuzzi. So spoiled.
We walked the city centre, revelling in the mostly car free streets. The Duomo looks stunning even at night. Had a lovely dinner in a small diner, getting preferential treatment for our language use (as opposed to the loud American who made no attempt). An organ concert at Chiesa Santa Maria de Ricci, a small church near the centre of town. Walked home in about 5 degrees. Siena tomorrow!

Colloseo and Palatine Hill

Just fascinating. They built it, then tore it down to build the churches. Walking the same streets the senators did on their way to the forum...awesome.

The kids bracelets visit the Colloseo

Off for a tour now. Michael is testing his recall of university! Stunning weather and a lovely walk through the city today. Cappuccino Yum Yum (but only in the morning, we are told).

Ancient Rome by segway

Was great! Segways are so much fun and foot-saving!
It feels like I am flying Rocket in an episode of Little Einsteins, I love that the kids would recognise so much of what we have seen today.
Palatine hill, circus maximus, city walls, Colloseo...
The superlatives are getting a little boring but...

Segway!

Vatican City & Ste. Pietro

Wow, how incredible is the Vatican? The museums, tapestry, sculpture, mosaic, fresco... Sistine Chapel-amazing in decoration, underwhelming in terms of architecture. But in context of its location and role, incredible.
St Peters Basilica-the size and scale of the space and decoration are hard to take in. La Pieta was so moving.

Vaticani

Waiting for our tour to start. Chilly 7 degrees. Gorgeous and clear. Sensational hotel.

Rome by night

Back at Hotel Raphael with our 16 euro cup of tea! We had a lovely dinner in a small restaurant around the corner. Our Italian was so good (?) They gave us a bottle of wine to take home! Fantastico! We walked to the Tibet River after dinner to find the Castel St Angelo and a fantastic peak to St Peters. Love Roma.

Just Incredible

I can't believe I am here. Rome is amazing. When I glimpsed the Collosseo on the way in from the airport I cried!
We have been walking this afternoon and seen so much. The Piazza Navona is across the road, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain a few blocks down. It is all astounding, and crowded cheek by jowl with the pallazo, streets, tourists and vehicles. I can't see when 'they' would get any respite.
I can't wait for the Vatican tomorrow (where I will day a prayer for my pour feet!).

When in Rome

...do as they do, like stand up and get your bags while the plane is still taxiing and crowd out baggage claim because the closer you are the faster it will come!

Leaving Lisboa

1st lesson: the taxi this morning was 6euro. So the 24euro taxi pass sold to us by the tourism agency to safeguard us from bring ripped off by a taxi driver is a little ironic.

Lovely, unloved Lisboa. So much to commend it but it looks like it may crumble into the Targus any day.
The wars destroyed so much in the rest of Europe but at least opened up new development and fostered a desire to preserve what was left of the old. A different story from neutral Portugal.

Have enjoyed our stay, and with some new walking shoes on my aching feet we are looking forward to Rome.

Maritime Museum

After Belem Tower, a walk through the Maritime Museum. Such a wonderful sea-going heritage. I licked out peaking into a back room where the model makers were working. I was invited in and heard a 30 min history of Portugal and naval exploration.
Off for the gala dinner now but Lisboa is in chaos due to a Portugal vs Bosnia football match. Narrow streets + police VIP escorts for gov ministers + big bus + football fans.  Fun and games.

Now THIS is what I call a library!

The naval library at the monastery.

Monument to the Discoveries.

20min on the tram to Belem. The monument is incredible. I love that you can get to the top-the views are amazing.

Kais Restaurant.

Dinner at refurbished tram depot. Incredible venue. Simon and Giles from UK good value. Scary port and pear vodka cocktails.
Midnight and on the bus listening to the French and Mexican talk with Move Like Jagger playing on the radio.

Morning tea a la Lisboa

Note the pastry (a national dish I think) and the glass of hot milk (for my tea). Must remember: cha e leite.

Museu da Agua

Stumbled across a Roman viaduct as I was walking down the road. Cool!

Relais & Chateau New Members Welcome

Welcome cocktail party last night. More lightening and a tram ride downtown. A traditional Portuguese music group with guitars and tamborines. One member dancing with tamborines and playing them with his leaping feet. Lovely venue, presentation of new properties. Nice night.

Lisboa

10am on Sunday morning drinking cherry brandy with the locals.  Just wandering around really. Popped into a church service after hearing singing. Stumbled across the Elevator. Found the waterfront and the plaza. This place is antiquated in such a wonderful way.

Obrigado (Thanks!)

Here we are in Lisbon, grateful we don't have another BA flight this trip. Nice hotel. Lovely ride from airport with a driver 'arranged' by the tourism office - an uncle who gave us the (prepaid) guide tour.
Went for a walk in the back streets near the hotel and had dinner at a tiny family restaurant that appears to be the favourite of the local fire brigade.
We did better with the language than a German couple there, but I am so behind the 8 ball. Need to learn!

Leaving London

We are at Paddington Station waiting for the Heathrow express to leave. The Borough Market was good this morning, plus The Globe and the Hind.
The Lord Mayors parade and swearing in is today. We saw the flotilla of boats being rowed up the Thames with the Mayor etc in Tumor style row boats. We took a crowded tube home and watched the parade on tv.

Harrods.

It's a bit like St Lukes mall on Christmas eve, on steroids, but it is 3pm on Friday afternoon.

We wanted to bring this guy home but he wouldn't fit in the suitcase.

11/11/11 11:11

What an honour to mark Remembrance Day, here in London, at the Tower of London, with a Yeoman playing the last post.
There is so much commemoration of military campaigns, victories and victors in this city, even in places of peace.
The depth of military history here is displayed in its monuments.

Dinner by Heston Bleumenthal

Wow, wow, wow. Food, service, wine, room, Hyde Park in Autumn. Wow.

The Tube and Tower of London!

Love It! OMG it is freezing!