Lyn and I have just returned from our third visit to Italy. There is something special about this country that we both love. Maybe back in history a friendly Roman took a liking to a lovely welsh lass and that's where the love of Italy started for the Davies, who knows.
Yet again Lyn turned her hand to travel consultancy and turned out a fantastic holiday for us both.
We began the Italian leg of the holiday in Turin. Arrived at around 11:00pm then up and off at 7:00am the next morning (what jet lag?). Here we took in a number of cathedrals, Egyptian museum (best outside of Cairo), Mole Antonelliana and of course the Shroud of Turin (only the copy).
Yet again Lyn turned her hand to travel consultancy and turned out a fantastic holiday for us both.
We began the Italian leg of the holiday in Turin. Arrived at around 11:00pm then up and off at 7:00am the next morning (what jet lag?). Here we took in a number of cathedrals, Egyptian museum (best outside of Cairo), Mole Antonelliana and of course the Shroud of Turin (only the copy).
Accompanying photo is of some of the artefacts found in an Egyptian tomb. Yes it's a boomerang!
From Turin we travelled to Aosta and the start of our first walk. This area of Italy is next to the Swiss border. Food, language and buildings in this region are different to the other areas where we have travelled in Italy such as Tuscany, Umbria and Amalfi.
From Turin we travelled to Aosta and the start of our first walk. This area of Italy is next to the Swiss border. Food, language and buildings in this region are different to the other areas where we have travelled in Italy such as Tuscany, Umbria and Amalfi.
We both found this walk challenging in that there were a number of steep climbs and the travel notes left a bit to the imagination. All in all though we had a great time and a number of stories that we love to tell others.
From Aosta we travelled by train to our next walk in Piemonte, known as little Tuscany without the crowds. We began our adventure in Alba the Slow Food Capital of Italy also where Ferrero Rocher and Nutella are made. The next day we were driven to our start point for the walk. This was more like the terrain we were both used to, walking through vineyards and hazelnut groves. Food and wine in this region is second to none. Love to return there one day.
After our walks it was time to relax a bit so we left Piemonte and travelled to Florence (one of my favourite cities). Yet again Lyn had excelled herself in organising this section of the holiday. Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore & Brunelleschi's Dome, trip on the Arno River at sunset, Tuscan meal in a Florentine house, Uffizi Gallery & corridors and finally back to the Florence Accademia to see Michelangelo's statue of David.
From Florence it was off to Rome for the final leg of the journey. One thing I have to say is that we could certainly learn a lot for the Italian Rail system. Trains leave and arrive on time and the speed trains (300km/hr) that operate between the cities take some beating.
From Aosta we travelled by train to our next walk in Piemonte, known as little Tuscany without the crowds. We began our adventure in Alba the Slow Food Capital of Italy also where Ferrero Rocher and Nutella are made. The next day we were driven to our start point for the walk. This was more like the terrain we were both used to, walking through vineyards and hazelnut groves. Food and wine in this region is second to none. Love to return there one day.
After our walks it was time to relax a bit so we left Piemonte and travelled to Florence (one of my favourite cities). Yet again Lyn had excelled herself in organising this section of the holiday. Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore & Brunelleschi's Dome, trip on the Arno River at sunset, Tuscan meal in a Florentine house, Uffizi Gallery & corridors and finally back to the Florence Accademia to see Michelangelo's statue of David.
From Florence it was off to Rome for the final leg of the journey. One thing I have to say is that we could certainly learn a lot for the Italian Rail system. Trains leave and arrive on time and the speed trains (300km/hr) that operate between the cities take some beating.
One of the disappointments that we had on a previous tour was the number of people within the Sistine Chapel when we visited. This time Lyn had booked us on a small group tour (10 in all) that visited the Chapel after the crowds had left. We had around 30 minutes where we could walk around the chapel and take in the painting at our own pace. In addition to this we were taken into areas of the Vatican that are closed off to the general public. Great experience.
Well that's a summary of the trip. Better start planning for the next one - back to Wales and Scotland.
Cheers
Paul and Lyn Davies
Well that's a summary of the trip. Better start planning for the next one - back to Wales and Scotland.
Cheers
Paul and Lyn Davies
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