We had to be awake, bags packed
and down for breakfast at 7am this morning. Given that it was his birthday
Michael decided to splurge on Bacon and Eggs as a treat for breakfast and we
were joined by Margaret, Claudia and Sue.
We left our hotel at 8am and headed off for the first of our ‘long
drive’ days. It was drizzling as we left but it soon dried up. Patricia gave us
the standard talk as any tour guide would do regarding emergencies, protocol
and etiquette, safety etc while on board the coach as we began our journey
heading out of Rome.
We drove just over 2 hours
through undulating hills, austere rows of cypress trees, terraced vineyards,
olive groves and rural villages as we headed through Tuscany. Our first cuppa
break/toilet stop was spent getting to know one and other more. The Aussies on
the tour have decided to take Walter under our wing after yesterday’s mishap
for him. It really knocked him about and he lost confidence in being able to
continue, so we all decided there would be someone looking out for him at all
times.
Back on the bus for the next 2 hour drive and Patricia took this opportunity to explain all the optional tours that we could take and how they will run. Decisions are to be made now. During this 2 hour stretch the rain started and got heavier and heavier and the skies were black and daunting. Patricia also explained at how we are prime targets for pick-pockets, people trying to sell cheap goods (which is illegal) and how to ensure our belongings stay safe.
Back on the bus for the next 2 hour drive and Patricia took this opportunity to explain all the optional tours that we could take and how they will run. Decisions are to be made now. During this 2 hour stretch the rain started and got heavier and heavier and the skies were black and daunting. Patricia also explained at how we are prime targets for pick-pockets, people trying to sell cheap goods (which is illegal) and how to ensure our belongings stay safe.
She wasn’t wrong! As soon as we arrived in Pisa and stepped off the coach there were a dozen or more Ethiopian men in our face, trying to sell handbags, sun glasses, shawls, umbrellas etc. They followed us as we walked from the coach to the ‘Choo Choo train’ which would drive us to the area where the monuments were. Very persistent men!! From where we were dropped off, we then had to walk through streets lined with souvenir stands on one side and cafĂ©/restaurants on the other. An amazing atmosphere here and the rain and dark clouds had disappeared to blue skies and sunshine! There were also a smaller number of tourists here than anywhere we had been previously.
We arrived at the Square of
Miracles and there they were! The enormous breathtaking Duomo (cathedral) built
almost 1,000 years ago, the Cathedrals bell tower better known as the Leaning
Tower of Pisa, the circular Battistero (Baptistery) the largest of its kind in
the whole of Italy and the Camposanto (also known as the Holy Field) one of the
most beautiful cemeteries in the world. Very impressive I must say. Our small
Aussie group decided we would have lunch first then do photos and shopping
afterwards as we had 3 ½ hours here. We found a restaurant which served
wonderful pasta and drinks as we celebrated Michael’s birthday in Pisa! A
lovely lunch with lovely company.
Once our bellies were full, we then wandered the ‘main drag’ taking picture after picture, checking out the shopping as well as taking in the sight of this tower definitely leans! It was also a given that I had to sample a Gelato and Sue and Walter joined me on this today. Our meet up time was 4pm which was long enough to have taken a good amount of photos, shopped enough and generally had a wonderful experience here at Pisa!!
Once our bellies were full, we then wandered the ‘main drag’ taking picture after picture, checking out the shopping as well as taking in the sight of this tower definitely leans! It was also a given that I had to sample a Gelato and Sue and Walter joined me on this today. Our meet up time was 4pm which was long enough to have taken a good amount of photos, shopped enough and generally had a wonderful experience here at Pisa!!
Back on the ‘Choo Choo train” and
back to our coach where we headed off to Florence. A video was played showing
the history of the Medici Family and their rise through the aristocracy to
Papacy and their contribution to the development of the area was to complete
the dome on the Cathedral in Florence.
We arrived at our ‘Hotel Italia’
at 6pm where we had a lovely room with a real double bed and a couch!
Unfortunately we only had a short while to enjoy the room as we had to be down
stairs in the restaurant for our dinner. If truth be known, we really weren’t
hungry after our lunch time celebration, so to face a four course meal was
hard! Michael and I only managed to eat half of each course. Food was not bad,
but lunch had been so much better. There was lots of conversation and laughter at
dinner as we were joined by the 3 girls again.
Once dinner was finished, and we had given Patricia our choice of optional excursions for the tour, we headed back to our room to catch up on emails and a much needed good night sleep.
Once dinner was finished, and we had given Patricia our choice of optional excursions for the tour, we headed back to our room to catch up on emails and a much needed good night sleep.
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