The 'B' sights

In the past visits to Rome we have concentrated on the 'A' list sights, the places each and every tourist needs to see and experience. Colloseum, done, Vatican, done, Pantheon done.

This time we have started on our 'B' list, the places that are must see for us, in the city we love so much. Today's sights included the Temple of Hercules Victor, The Mouth of Truth at Santa Maria in Cosmedin and close by the Garden of Oranges (Giardino degli Aranci).

When in Rome

I couldn't wipe the smile off my face this morning as I realised we were in Rome. Rome, my most favourite city. A clash of old and new. Something new to discover on every corner. I love walking the streets, watching the people and listening to the horns, the people and the clink of glasses in restaurants. It's enormous but at the same time welcoming. You can get lost in the narrow lanes but then stumble upon something so wonderful it takes your breath away. The Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colloseum, the Spanish Steps are all in close proximity to one another. It is hard to describe the feeling of walking around a corner and literally bumping in to something hundreds of years old.

It truly is, Amore

It was with a little sadness this morning that we said farewell to Stefano and Rosalinda at La Maesta. We have enjoyed another wonderful week in Tuscany with them in their beautiful villa. We had a bit of a journey ahead of us today on the rails to Naples, so we were up bright and early for Stefano to take us to the station.

On the road again

We have had only a couple of long days on the road and today was one of them, from Arcola to Castiglion Fiorentino.  It was with slight sadness that we were to leave our host Giacomo this morning, he was a pleasure to stay with and could not come with a more higher recommendation from us.  His knowledge of the area and hospitality was second to none, thanks Giacomo. If we are ever in the LaSpezia area again we will stay at Villa Ducci.

Heading for the hills!

After having spent the last five days exploring the coast, we decided it was time for a change in scenery and so headed for the hills. After breakfast Giaccumo spent time planning an itinerary with us for the day. We ended up with quite a list of small towns to visit.

The long and winding road

Levanto is the next town north from the Cinque Terre and was recommended to us as a place to go and see.  This journey however required Pietro to climb over some of the most mountainous terrain we have covered, yet.

Leaving La Spezia we passed through a couple of tunnels and then the curvy and narrow roads began.

Mountains of marble

What a day, we started on the road a lot later than the last few days.  Katie did remind me when on holidays a sleep in is a good thing too, she was right.

View from the lounge window

Lovely leather, fine Ferrari's and powerful Pavarotti

Today was our last full day in Modena. We wondered in to the centre after breakfast and dropped in the visitor information centre, to make sure we hadn't missed anything important. We stopped in

Today we graduated with a Diploma in Gelatology!

Today we had pre-booked a unique and one off experience - a gelatology class. However, this was the end point of the day. The journey to get there from Modena would take a little while. Shannon had read about an interesting statue of the local favourite - Tortellini. We stopped in the small town of Castelfranco Emilia and discovered the fascinating monument, which appears to be the centre point of town.

An evening in Modena

A video in Modena filmed at Ristorante Uva D'Oro and then afterward on our search for a necessity whilst on return to apartment.

Parmigiano-Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico, and Salumi

Well, we are now experts in Parmigiano-Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico, and Salumi. Today we took a guided tour, that once again proved to be private, we were the only ones who booked. Starting from our accommodation door we were transported in a Mercedes van to a cheese dairy where we walked on the floor where the cheese was made and smell the cheese. Oh, how delightful.

Milan and great food.

As we are on holiday we realised that we could have a sleep in and we did, it was a late start and we still managed to see a couple of the main sights. Sometimes Katie has to remind me

Buongiorno Italia

It was a lovely 6 days in Switzerland, a place we have wanted to revisit since we were here in 2012.  Zurich is culturally very similar to