Later in the morning we set off again, on a one-hour boat trip to the island of Burano. It was very

With the unpredictability of internet availability, I have compressed my account of 4 days of the tour into this blog post. During these 4 days we travelled from Florence to Switzerland and down to Venice, so the post is a bit long. I m typing it up on the bus, so hope I ll have the opportunity to post it when we find an internet connection.
We had another early start on the coach as we pulled out of Florence on the way to Milan. I don t know if the fact that it was Saturday made the traffic any lighter, but it still seemed to take a while to leave the outskirts of the city. Another brief stop along the way much better set up than the one on the way to Pisa and then we arrived in Milan at about lunch-time. We came to the civic square and Fabio showed us where La Scala is the outside doesn t give much indication of the importance of this building, as it doesn t stand out very much from the other buildings on the square.
san antonio airport hotels and into the square of the Cathedral. After a comfort stop and a bite to eat we made our way to the cathedral. What a huge, over-the top building. The outside was so embellished with carved figures and decorations that I was amazed they managed san antonio airport hotels to fit everything onto the walls.
I went inside and it was lovely, but quite dark in the Gothic style, so I didn t try and take any photos. But the stained glass windows were enormous and brilliant with rich vivid colours gorgeous! Quite a few side chapels with many electric votive candles shining brightly, and a number of people praying at each chapel. I sat for a while in the main body of the church and just let the peace and quietness soak into me.
We headed off again on our way north this time to Switzerland. We had our passports with us but the customs people didn t stop the coach and check them, so we sailed on through. Lugano is a lovely little lakeside san antonio airport hotels town, selling mainly san antonio airport hotels watches and chocolate, from what I could see.
John used to own a Rolex watch, and wondered if he would be able to pick one up at a bargain price. san antonio airport hotels Well, I suppose for a Rolex it would have been a bargain the model like the one he used to own now sells for 4,800 Euros. He decided not to buy it.
Stresa is back in Italy a small town on the shores of Lake Maggiore, the largest of the Italian Alpine lakes. We drew up at the hotel at 6.30, and although there was dinner for us at the hotel, we were just too tired, and went to bed almost straight away.
This was a rest day, so we were able to have a more lazy morning, and didn t have to set off for our excursion till 9. We felt heaps better after a long sleep, so climbed happily into the boat for a trip to La Isola Bella (the Beautiful Island).
This little island holds the holiday home of the Princes of Borromeo, san antonio airport hotels which is called the palace . We had a guided tour of the palace, but alas, photos weren t allowed, so I am not able to share with you the images of the huge rooms, ornately decorated with paintings and furnishings including a ballroom 3 storeys high in the centre of the castle, and the grottos on the ground level lined with lake stones of different colours in intricate patterns, with marble statues displayed around. Some bach! There was also a lovely Italianate terraced garden with statues,
Our drive through the mountains took us through about 9 or 10 tunnels, and after a brief stop on the way, we came to Verona. The bus stopped by the city walls, and then we set off through the streets.
san antonio airport hotels One of the nice things san antonio airport hotels about Verona is the fact that there was no traffic in the square or in the streets many of them are pedestrian-only, and it made it much less stressful trying to get around. There were heaps of mimes, and I hope they receive lots of tips, because it seems a very boring way to earn money.
I wanted to see the arena as well, as I had heard it is really worth a visit a complete working arena, smaller than the Colosseum but in much better condition. However, I was doomed to disappointment, as it was closed for lunch during the time we were there.
Pretty much straight away we went off for our gondola ride. There was a group of us on the tour, in 3 separate gondolas. san antonio airport hotels On one of the gondolas was a piano accordionist and a singer, so we expected a lovely ride through the canals. And the music was nice, but most of the time we couldn t hear it, as the gondoliers were constantly talking to each other very loudly, or else talking loudly and I mean loudly on their cellphones. san antonio airport hotels After a while of gritting my teeth, I decided that it was all part of the experience! I ve heard the gondoliers can be pretty rude, so perhaps we were getting off lightly. It was so lovely moving through the canals and seeing the evening sun shining on the buildings.
Then we were given the opportunity to wander san antonio airport hotels through their 17 yes, seventeen showrooms and make purchases. Really really beautiful stuff but no photos allowed, in case we went away and got cheap copies made. Some members of the tour were buying complete sets of glasses and decanter, together with a silver san antonio airport hotels tray engraved. san antonio airport hotels A special deal, I think, but I mentally blocked out the price. Suffice it to say, we didn t order a set.
Again, no photos allowed. A very sumptuous san antonio airport hotels palace, and it was noticeable that the art and decorations were much more political than in Rome and Florence, with huge photos showing Venice personified as a conquering goddess, and receiving homage and tributes from various dignitaries and virtues, such as Faith and Justice.
Later in the morning we set off again, on a one-hour boat trip to the island of Burano. It was very pleasant sitting in the bows in the sunshine and watching the different facets of Venice as we passed san antonio airport hotels them by.
and is very colourful, with each house painted in a different colour so different from the other Italian places we have been, where there seems to be a colour compliance scheme. In Tuscany this works very well, as the building colours reflect the natural stone and terracotta and complement the landscape. However, in Burano, with its atmosphere of a seaside holiday, the multi-coloured township fits beautifully.
At a local restaurant we partook of a sumptuous lunch. Course after course was brought to our plates. There was a lot of fish a starter of rolls with a tuna spread, an entree of fish lasagne, followed by a fish risotto, then some grilled John Dory accompanied by crumbed fried prawns and calamari. Apparently san antonio airport hotels it was all delicious I ll take their word for it, as I opted for a non-fish meal which was also very delicious and filling.
We needed to take a walk after such a wonderful and filling lunch, so strolled through the village looking at all the lace shops and lace-makers. Such fine, intricate work. However, I didn t see anything that I would use, so I managed to save my euros, though some of our travel companions got some beautiful table settings and Christmas table runners. On the boat to go back to Venice there were some happy women, and some not-quite-so-happy husbands.
and enjoying the different groups of musicians playing classical music and jazz outside various restaurants. And we found a nice gelato to top off the evening. The only down-side was the numerous street vendors trying to get us to buy little light-glows or roses. One of them came at me sideways and thrust a rose in my face and John and I both yelled at him. He faded away pretty san antonio airport hotels quickly after that reception!
We are a couple of Kiwis planning our travels to Europe san antonio airport hotels and beyond. We hope to see amazing sights, visit some churches and libraries, absorb some history and meet interesting people. One of us in particular san antonio airport hotels will be sure to meet up with some of the local fauna, san antonio airport hotels particularly cats.