Milan Cathedral
Gondolos on the Grand Canal Venice16th May 2009
Arrived home very tired after a 24hour train journey across Europe. The Sleeper Train from Venice to Paris was a unique experience. Dorothy and I struggled and laughed most of the time, being in such a confined area climbing over two large suitcases and a ladder to wash and dress in no more room than a large wardrobe. The bed was as uncomfortable as lying on the pavement but I did sleep quite well so I can`t complain, as many did about the noise. The journey across Paris from Bercy Station to Paris Nord took 1hour 30minutes due a demonstration/riot in the centre of the capital. But we got the train home in plenty time.
The holiday was brilliant, very intensive, lots of travelling but we saw so much. Based in Turin for 6days we knew the city well by the end of the visit. Took a train to Genoa on the coast, a four hour boat ride to Larcano on the shores of lake Maggiore, then spent a day in Oasta high in the snow covered Italian Alps. We also stopped off in Milan, on our way into Venice. Loved all the sights, the architecture magnificence buildings churches, Piazzas, the history and original art. The trip was certainly packed with excitement but it was very hot ,very very expensive and demanding. We had a four day waterbus pass and toured the 40 odd islands that make Venice so unique during free time. I doubt I will be going on another such intensive tour again though. I did enjoyed the tour but it was the packed to capacity transport systems, vast crowds of people everywhere, not enough seats or shade in 40 degree heat and the expense that has put me off. The Euro was worth 82p in the £, small bottle water = 2.50 E, small beer = 7E, Toilets =1.50E Average tourist lunch 15E + cover charge and 12% service charge in places. Just extraordinary expense of £5 a day for drinking water alone. Prior to leaving for Italy Dorothy and I stayed over a night in London. We saw the the musical “The Jersey Boys” at the Prince Edward Theatre. The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons it was so uplifting and performed to perfection. I recalled all the songs and sang to most them, loved it.
Arrived home very tired after a 24hour train journey across Europe. The Sleeper Train from Venice to Paris was a unique experience. Dorothy and I struggled and laughed most of the time, being in such a confined area climbing over two large suitcases and a ladder to wash and dress in no more room than a large wardrobe. The bed was as uncomfortable as lying on the pavement but I did sleep quite well so I can`t complain, as many did about the noise. The journey across Paris from Bercy Station to Paris Nord took 1hour 30minutes due a demonstration/riot in the centre of the capital. But we got the train home in plenty time.
The holiday was brilliant, very intensive, lots of travelling but we saw so much. Based in Turin for 6days we knew the city well by the end of the visit. Took a train to Genoa on the coast, a four hour boat ride to Larcano on the shores of lake Maggiore, then spent a day in Oasta high in the snow covered Italian Alps. We also stopped off in Milan, on our way into Venice. Loved all the sights, the architecture magnificence buildings churches, Piazzas, the history and original art. The trip was certainly packed with excitement but it was very hot ,very very expensive and demanding. We had a four day waterbus pass and toured the 40 odd islands that make Venice so unique during free time. I doubt I will be going on another such intensive tour again though. I did enjoyed the tour but it was the packed to capacity transport systems, vast crowds of people everywhere, not enough seats or shade in 40 degree heat and the expense that has put me off. The Euro was worth 82p in the £, small bottle water = 2.50 E, small beer = 7E, Toilets =1.50E Average tourist lunch 15E + cover charge and 12% service charge in places. Just extraordinary expense of £5 a day for drinking water alone. Prior to leaving for Italy Dorothy and I stayed over a night in London. We saw the the musical “The Jersey Boys” at the Prince Edward Theatre. The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons it was so uplifting and performed to perfection. I recalled all the songs and sang to most them, loved it.
