A lazy day in Levanto

Some drizzle this morning so had a relaxing day in Levanto. A walk and some shopping with a coffee and pastry. More fresh bread ham and cheese for lunch then a walk North to the small village of Bonasolla.

The walk was through the old rail tunnels beside the sea. Great swimming beach so had 2 swims and sub bathe. Awesome!

Back for steak and salad from the local butcher and vege man. Town is pumping with locals out walking,  shopping, eating  and catching up.

Lovely laid back day on the Italian Riviera. Tomorrow off to Cinque Terre again for a walk from Vernazza to Monterosso.

Walking the 5 lands - Cinque Terre

Yes it is outstanding and that's why there are heaps of people. We herded onto the train with hundreds of others, standing room only, for the15 minute trip to Corniglia the middle of the 5 villages. Beautiful location set on a headland over looking the blue Mediterranean.

We had a cappuccino before walking the hour to Vanassa through terraced vineyards and olive groves. Great coastal scenery mixed with plenty of stone steps. The views walking into Vanassa are glorious. Had lunch there before heading back onto the train to Levanto about 3.30pm.

Afternoon tea then a swim. The water is really warm. Getting to really like Levanto and our apartment Casanna 1. Prefect location and lovely bakeries, vegetable shops and super markets close by. Lots of fun shopping with friendly shop keepers.

A relaxing day tomorrow exploring Levanto.

Levanto by the sea

A good trip on the autostrada to Levanto, a real mix of a place, just north of Cinque Terre. Found our place quite easily with Gypsy doing her thing arriving at 4 ish.

Justin went for a swim in the Mediterranean. Private beach areas with their own sun  umbrellas and deck chairs.

Bought some lovely fresh ham spuds and salad for dinner. Cheap wine.

Parking interesting. Busy feeding the meter. Week explore the 5 villages tomorrow.

22 km/hr on the fast train to Padova

Caught the very fast treno from Venice to Padova. Used one of the self sevice fast ticket booths for the first time. Very efficient. Train took 20 minutes, the fastest we have travelled on land!

Cat pick up straight forward and now off to Levante.

An Opera in Venice

A  memorable first ever opera experience for us all and what a lavish and famous theatre to see it in, the Teatro la Fenice. The theatre was packed. Fabulous singing in a tragic story. Great set and handy to have English subtitles high above stage.

A late vaporetto back to our hotel. Tomorrow we go coast to coast driving across Italy to Levanto near Cinque Tere.

Burano - Dulux would be happy

Spent the day at Burano, one of the quaint fishing Islands about 40 minutes by water taxi from Venice. A peaceful and beautiful place with brightly coloured houses adorned with colourful petunias.

We visited the church with its leaning bell tower and the Lace Museo. Burano had a lace school from 1870 to 1970. We talked to a couple of elderly ladies doing lace needle work - very fine and intricate work.

Back to our hotel now getting ready for the opera Tosca at Teatra la Fenice.

Walking with our Venician guides

Some pictures of us cruising with our guides.

A Day in Venice

Caught the water taxi or vaporetto to St Marks Square and spent the day walking. People everywhere but a lovely buzz.

Lined up in the big queue for a walk through St Marks Bascilica. Built around 1050. The tiled mosaics of Gold leaf and glass covering the ceilings are intricate and beautiful. The floor tiles with 3 D patterns are cool too.

We visited the treasury with ancient and precious Challis, bowls, ornaments and bones of the Doge or leaders. Also visited the 1 by 2m alter piece with its gold leaf and 2000 jewels.

Julie and I then visited the Museo Correr in an old palace with paintings, sculptures, coinage with lots of history of Venice.

After lunch we headed on a 2 hour walking tour with Antonella. Heaps of history of Venice while walking through the narrow side streets from St Marks to the Rialto Bridge. Learnt that Venice is really a group of many Islands joined by bridges each with its own church and well.  The squares or campo used to be green areas but these are now paved. The population has declined from 120 thousand in 1960 to 60 thousand today with house prices so high and less employment.

At 5.30pm we headed on our Urban Adventure with Giovanna for more history and local wine and cicchetta or tapas at 5 Bacca or traditional wine bars. A great group from the UK with us and still walking straight by 8pm.

The Canal Grande - Venezia

Typical street scene

We are staying in a cute small hotel near the train station and Grand Canal. Very peaceful.

Purchased our 3 day water taxi passes and boated to Rialto bridge and walked around the pretty streets of Venice. Plenty of postcard vistas.

Out for dinner soon to a trattoria recommended by our hotelier.

Our hotel, the Canal Grande at the end

One of the many churches with walking distance

Ponte di Rialto - can you spot Julie?

A gondola, just like in the pictures

From the mountains to the sea - Venice

On a regional train to Venezia and we will be there in 30 minutes.

It was raining soon after we left Mazzine. Lucky to have had such a beautiful day yesterday. Travelled to Padova over a mountain pass and through a river gorge with power stations and plenty of tunnels. More stunning scenery.

Found our car park after a few loops of central Padova. Great location opposite the stazione, buono Justin!

Cappuccino stop in the alps - 6 degrees burrrr

Pretty gorge down to the plains

Our first train. 27 minutes to Venezia from Padova

Out of the station and onto the Grand Canal

Suppressing the urge to yodel

Magnificent day walking in the Dolomites. Drive to Passa Pordoi, a 2200m pass and a skiing mecca in winter. Lots of motor bikes and cyclists cruising the stunning road.

Julie and I went up the cable car to the summit of Sasa Pordoi for the Dolomites panarama. Bellavista! Views into Switzerland and Austria. Striking peaks and lush green valleys.

After a picnic lunch of fresh bread ham cream cheese and Dolce Italian tomatoes we headed up the Val Duron in the high Fassa Valley. Saw marmots fox and heard cuckoos. Images of the Sound of Music in the upper meadows with spring flowers, buttercups primula and crocus. And yes I did yodel.

Back to our hotel for hot tea and fresh pear cake. Heading to Venice tomorrow. So many contrasts already and warm welcoming people. Molto buono.

Passo Pordoi, the cable stops at the very top!

The Dolomites. Julie waving goodbye to two wing suited base jumpers heading to the edge

Yummy lunch near Pas de Sela

The lunch view

The upper Val Duron - bellavista

The Marmolada on the back down the Val Duron

From the Italian lakes to the Alps

Staying in a chalet in Mazine, very Swiss. Stunning views of the Dolimites. Bought some fresh strawberries and apricots from a road side stall. Dolce strawbs.

Been for a jog and we have all struggled with the altitude. Happy hour of local cheese bread and wine.

Planning a day trek and cable car ride to the top of Gruppo del Sella 3000m tomorrow.  This is meant to give panoramic views of the Dolomites.

Traditional pizza for dinner from a wood fired oven accompanied by the local beer. Yum!

The view out Kay and Justins window

A free dolce strawberry from the road side stall man

Enjoying the Forst beer in the hotel restaurant watching our pizzas being made

Torri del Benaco - Cappacino by the lake

On the way to Canazei in the Dolimites via the Lake Garda. Another beautiful day. Stopped for coffee in Torri del Benaco a small port village with a 14th century castle and church. Market day stalls and a very laid back atmosphere.

Listening to our magical classical guitar Bach cd bought from a busker in Bergamo.

Passing through cute wee villages by the lake. Lots of cyclists.

The fort

Coffee stop by the quaint boat harbour of Torri del Benaco

The fresco in the small church, Benaco