Au revoir. ..not Adieu!

After a deservedly lazy morning we checked out of our hotel ( which was very nice, as they all have been!) and took a slow meander down to the Eiffel Tower. St to under it for a while and took a walk up to the Arc de Triumph and back down the Champs Elysee to our hotel where we are now resting ready for our final trek to the Paris Gard Nord station  and our Eurostar home.

We have had a fantastic holiday which feels like it has lasted a month...seen some wonderful places and had perfect weather throughout!!

Hope you have enjoyed the blog cos you're not getting a postcard!

See you all soon!!

The French Connection....

Bonjour mes amies.....We arrived safely at Paris Gare de Lyon dead on schedule...rolling in at 0930. We negotiated two stops on the metro to our final hotel in L'Opéra district of gay Paree!

Once we unpacked...We went walkies!! We walked through Place de Concorde and through La Jardin Tuleries to the Louvre. We then walked along The a seine to La Pont des Artes  (Love Lock Bridge)...If you ever need a padlock here's the place!!

We then walked to Notre Dame and back through Paris up to Sacre Coeur where we took in the amazing view over Paris.

We then walked down through Montemarte to the Moulin Rouge and back to our hotel.

A LOT OF WALKING! !

Tonight we had a meal in a local restaurant about 40yds from the hotel with some wholesome french cuisine...now officially stuffed!!

Tomorrow  we go to La Tour Eiffel!

People in glass houses......

As we checked out...We were offered a 'free' trip by water taxi for a 'free ' tour of a glass factory on Murano  where all the famous glass factories are based after being moved from the city in 1200 and something!

Never being ones to look a gift horse in the mouth we took the water taxi over and watched some amazing demonstrations of vases and horses being created. It was very impressive. We then we're given a personal tour of the showrooms and some amazing glass items from glasses to chandeliers. We were given the special treatment for one costing €2900 but when we mentioned our 6 children and how expensive they are...our guide seemed to get us to the gift shop and vanish...how rude!!!

Nicola bought herself a Pandora bead which she wanted anyway so all in all a good deal for us!!

We then took the Water Bus back round the island and mooched for the test of the afternoon  whilst waiting for our train. Getting a take away pizza..to go with our chilled bottle of prosecco and a good night sleep...ready for Paris in the morning!!

Venetian Dawn!

As the sun rose over St Marks Square...We were up and out! We got to St Marks with just the street cleaners and pigeons and seagulls for company and watched the pink sky fade to blue as the city came to life.

We had a good look around Rialto Bridge, the market which sells all manner of fresh produce...The seafood is amazing especially the big piles of octopus!

We then retreated as the cities workers arrived by the boatload to a little cafe and watched them over a cappuccino before heading back to the hotel for breakfast!

Just one cornetto!!!

Missed our early start today...too tired so going for it again tomorrow  to  see Venice at peace!

Mooched around loads and loads of shops today....All big names here and lots of lovely small ones too (even a Lush here..those places get everywhere!)....so much walking had to have an afternoon doze!!

Our hotel has free pre - dinner drinks in the bar...so we both had a Mimosa  (or two! ) before going out for a bite to eat at a little restaurant round the corner.

Walked back and sat by the grand canal which is next to our hotel and watched the boats  going along the canals lit up by the houses on the sides...very pretty!!

Our last day in Venice tomorrow  before head overnight to our last stop Paris!!

They'll be coming down the mountain when they come!!

Pre dawn...operation mountain was put into effect...The only fly in the ointment was it was still dark. ..whoops!!

But with great British resolve. .brute strength..bananas,peaches and the light on my phone we made it successfully down the goat trail to the bus in record time!! Saving €50 in the process!!

We had a perfect train ride up from Salerno to Venice via Bologna.

We dismbarked and walked from Venice S Lucia to what can only described as a film set...With the Grand Canal running in front of us..There were boats and bridges and everything and more!! Where was  Daniel Craig???

We walked to our hotel in total awe!

The hotel is perfect..right on the Grand Canal..and after a quick change we went exploring.  There is so much to take in..We made it as far as St Marks Square...saw the price of cappuccinos  (€11 for a cappuccino with no milk?? Isn't that an espresso??) and left toward further exploration!

We came back to base had a shower and returned to a little street restaurant we found for a healthy salad!! (And wine!!!)

After our early start today (4am) it's an early bed as we want to get up early to explore without the crowds before breakfast...will we succeed..who can tell!!

Penultimate day in Amalfi

And what a scorcher it is...The sun is glistening on the water...The cicadas are happily chirping in the trees and we are so relaxed any more days we'd be puddles on floor so will be good to build the momentum up again via Venice and Paris.

On the way down the mountain our favourite lemon grove dropped some more offerings on the path so we will be making good use of them tonight whilst having a drink on our terrace.

Tomorrow  we are refusing to pay the silly €40 they want for a ten minute taxi ride down the mountain and being hardy British will walk off our mountain with our cases in hand! Our bus is at 5.15 (that's 4.15 English time) to Salerno where we get on the Frecciarossa (translated 'Red Arrow' although I keep thinking Ferrero Roche....Mmmm chocolate!) Which is the the 220 kph train to Bologna where we change for Venice. We are due there 1330 local time.

For lunch we ate in a perfect little trattoria built into a stone arch where boats used to be stored. We were greeted with a little aperitif  (which apparently has no name!) Followed by a shared bruscetta with locally grown tomatoes. We both then had home made pasta with mixed sea food which you can see from picture tasted as good as it looked. Both stuffed..but then the waiter brings out a complementary ricotta cheese and chocolate cheesecake for us and it was perfect ....problem now is how we waddle back up the mountain!!!

Amalfi has been perfect after our time in Rome..a week to wind down and relax in a peaceful environment..eating local food and enjoying the sun on our skin.

They say everyone should see the Amalfi Coast once in their life..and it is so beautiful we want to see it again!

Chilled in Amalfi...

Today we decided to completely  switch off...starting with a lie in til 10...extreme indulgence!!

We completed our usual walk down the mountain to a well deserved  cappuccino  and a pastry!

We spent the afternoon sunbathing by the marina and reading.

We then has a 'Granita Al limone'...like a slush drink made with real lemons...YOU HAVE TO TRY ONE!!! From the same stall Gino D'Campo had one on his tv show!!

This set us up perfectly for the 746 steps back to our mountain perch where after a shower we now sit with an ice cold carafe of wine and a nice dinner!

Ravello......heaven on earth?

Today we returned to Ravello because we liked it so much!!

We had lunch in a restaurant the building was built in the 13th century. It was lovely...We both had starters, a main course, prosecco and unlimited bread for €20 each.. a bargain and the food was perfect!!

We then went to Villa Cimbrone http://www.villacimbrone.com/en/home.php..what a piece of paradise...The view from the Terrace of Infinity which is atop a sheer drop on the edge of the coast...amazing!!

We're  now going home to eat avacado,  chocolate and melon cos we can!!

Avalon tasks - task 9 - Get a photo of a sunset

Sun going down on the beautiful Amalfi coastline!

Chilling with the boaties....

This evening we sat in a gorgeous restaurant on the marina housing all the yachts and motor cruisers....All very impressive!

We decided that we needed to try at least one pizza during our stay and tonight was the night!

Needless to say it was very nice but was it a coincidence that our walk back up the mountain seemed twice as hard or was it just the heat!!

However you will be pleased to know we made it and we are now showered and recovering on the balcony!!

Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto)

Today we decided to take a boat trip as it was very warm and sunny! We went along the coast to the Grotta dello Smeraldo which is an inundated cave not accessible from the sea directly but is filled through a submerged tunnel.

From the sea is is very apparent why they say this is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It truly is stunning!

The Cave was very pretty and the clarity of the water was amazing lit up by sunlight reflecting through the underwater tunnel.

One of the pictures attached was a stalactite called the Tower of Pisa for its similarities!

Beautiful view!

We decided to visit the beautiful village of Ravello which is above Amalfi. We were greeted by this beautiful view.

We are coming back here for dinner later in the week to watch the sun go down.

We had a yummy lemon cheese cake gelatos in a gorgeous village square next to the cathedral.

Ravello is where D H Lawrence wrote Lady Chatterley, was frequented by Sofia Loren and Wagner amongst  others.

If you wish to visit somewhere...This is certainly one you should put at the top of your list.....stunning!!

Up on the mountains

Walked today down to Amalfi 746 steps (no we weren't  counting they were numbered in intervals of 100). Loads of lizards (with green backs) sunning themselves en route.

Spent the day by the harbour looking at the expensive yachts and mooching around the shops and tavernas interspersed with cappuccinos and gelatos!

Treated ourselves to some prosecco and limoncello for a little treatette  layer on the balcony  and melon, bananas and peaches for breakfast.

Our apartment looks over at Villa Rufolo  which used to be frequented by Wagner,  Jackie Kennedy  and D H Lawrence...who says we don't do culture!!

Waking up in Amalfi

Well what a view we have from our balcony. Today we are going to walk down into Amalfi town along the goat track that goes by our apartment. Had a gorgeous meal of grilled vegetables in olive oil for starters last night..followed by clams and mussels with homemade pasta...Italians certainly know how to cook!!!

Amalfi bound!

On the train to Naples and our onward connection to Sorrento. We decided to take in how the commoners live and go cattle class...how uncivilised!! Joking apart it is a very relaxing way to travel even with the unwanted help from our 'volunteer baggage handlers' for a tip for their services on Rome! GO AWAY!!

Perfect end to the first part of our adventure in Rome

We finished our last evening with a perfect meal and glass of prosecco in a little back street taverna. Beautiful salad with olives nuts tomatoes and cheese, followed by a beautiful Tiramasu!

We then strolled back with the sun setting  through the back streets of Rome past little  bars and restaurants, piazzas and fountains with flickering street lights coming on as we arrived back at our hotel after a 12 hour day seeing the beautiful Vatican City.

Avalon tasks - task 3 - Find a restaurant called 'Luigis'

Curiously not many of them...too stereotypical maybe? Didn't eat here as it was right in the main road...but task achieved Avalon!

Taking in a bit of culture...

After sitting for a while on the sunshine in St Peters Square and watched people and took in the absolutely  amazing architecture  (couldn't see the papal chimney which was disappointing!)

Then went on a tour around the Vatican Museum. Wow...20 euros each but what value...and the Sistene Chapel is VERY impressive  (everyone kept being told to sssh and not take pics but rebellious me got one...HA!!)

The age of some of the statues is incredible. .The one of the man two boys and snakes is dated 40-30bc...makes you feel old!!

Fuelling up for our appointment with his Eminence!

Calorie free ice cream..who would have thought!! 😉 Still perfect to assuage  the guilty feelings when we bump into the Pope wandering the grounds!!

Avalon tasks - task 2 - Find a roman warrior

Well a gaggle actually!

Avalon tasks - task 10 - Drink from a stone fountain

Ice cold and lovely

I am Spartacus! !!

Well arrived safely in Rome and now at the Coliseum .  Very very impressive! First prize for spotting the spelling mistake (now amended) goes to mum!

Milan......We've arrived daaahling!

0600....who knew there were two in a day!!! First of many Italian coffee shops to sample. Train was fun.....got us here safely...Definitely a good choice of travelling!! Just waiting for our connection to Rome at 0700!!

Dinner on the move!!

Hurtling through France...bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, tuna salad and a bottle of rose. ...perfect!!

Your carriage awaits ma'am!

Ready for the next stage of the journey...cosy accommodation! !

Always a Costa on hand!!

Arrived at Paris Gare de Lyon..now just got to wait for our next train, the Thello  sleeper to Milan. Have got our onward tickets from Milan to  Rome sorted too at discounted rate...do like a bargain!

Bit of a shame that "Le Train Bleu" the famous Art Nouveau restaurant on the concourse is closed for renovation!!

Still there's  always a handy Costa to be found when trying to pass the time...maybe not as posh or elegant but does the trick!!

Waiting to board......

At St Pancras waiting to board our train into Europe...next stop Paris!!

And we're off!

A beautiful sunny morning in Ringwood. Heading off to catch the train at St Pancras to Paris!