A Weekend Off

Well, I think it might be nearly time for new travel companions, mine are getting worn out.

We arrived in Rome on Friday afternoon, (I got to shop in Florence on Friday morning and all I bought was a shirt for Matthew, pretty sad), did a little food shopping, washing and organising then went out for dinner. Saturday we did more food shopping and then a bit of planning. We did go for a walk to find a cake shop after lunch and came home for coffee and cake, or in Cameron's case, beer[660ml stubbies] and brie cheese.

Sunday, I decided we should do a little exploring (our apartment is right next to a set of steps and I thought we should walk up them).

We walked the steps (120 of them) and wandered down to Piazza Santa Maria (St Maria Square), looked at the fountain and the church.

We then headed  off to Janiculum Hill, which we were told gives you a great view of the city and is close to Trastavere, (where our apartment is). 

Alongside the river, past the bridge (Ponte Sisto, was built in 1474)

past the old city walls

up a hill and another smaller set of steps and through the gates of the botanical gardens of Janiculum Hill  to look at the view. Wasn't it worth it?

I don't know if Cam and Matt thought it was.

They did perk up a little though and came to get their photo taken at the wall.

Then we walked all the way back to the apartment (via the shop for some rolls for lunch). The afternoon Cameron did some planning on the laptop, Matthew played games on my phone and I read a book on the kindle (and napped). 

Our weekend off. Tomorrow, we're off to the vatican. We're walking again as Cameron doesn't want to drive in central Rome as we aren't allowed in certain areas because we don't have a ZTL pass. 

Our Adventures in Venice

Tuesday, we left our apartment early as there was a ferry strike (limited ferries from 9 - 4.30, and all non-essential services were cancelled). Limited stops meant that we had to catch the ferry straight across to the main island and walk. Was amazing, going through narrow alleys and across the bridges over canals.

We walked all the way back to St Mark's Square and went into Palazza Ducale to buy a ticket for the secret tour, which takes you through a passage behind a filing cabinet, into the interogation rooms. It was booked out tho, so we took the normal tour. Very beautiful, and paintings decorate the ceilings and rooms. (no photos inside).

                                 

We then went out and explored the square.

Astrological Clock Tower

We also went into St Marks Basilica, an absolutely gorgeous chuch located next to the palace. It has a museum upstairs with religious artifacts and lots of mosaics. 

Wednesday, we wandered the back lanes, looking at glass shops (Matthew decided he wanted a glass tiger, so we went into every glass shop we passed). It was amazing looking at all the glass items they make here. Every second shop sells glass or carnivale masks.

We walked all the back alleys and over so many bridges and canals. (saw so many gondoliers).

We also travelled the length of the Grand Canal by ferry.

and went under the Rialto Bridge (and a whole heap of other bridges). Who needs a gondolier ride, we had front seats on the ferry, the whole trip. Beautiful views.

Thursday, we packed our suitcases, took them back to the car and went to the island of Murano  (where they make a lot of the glass creations). We visited the Murano Glass Museum and of course we went into heaps of shops, still looking for the glass tiger. The problem this time however, was he found a few and had to choose which tiger he was going to spend his money on. 

We left Murano with a glass tiger, caught the ferry to Tronchetta (car garage) and drove to Florence (on the way to Rome). I actually got an hour's shopping time in a shopping centre. Friday - Rome

Venice

We left Salo, and arrived in Venice just after lunch on Monday, parking the car in the multi-story carpark.

We bought a Venice transport card that entitled us to free transport on the vaperatto 

(the public ferry) and caught the vaperatto to Guidecca (one of the islands that make up Venice, but off the main island).

We arrived in Guidecca earlier than expected so we had time for a coffee before we saw our apartment. No internet in our apartment, closest is an internet cafe, down near the ferry stop. 

We did some housekeeping jobs (washing, food shopping, organising) and then caught the ferry to the main island for our first look at Venice, and St Mark's Square.

And of course, had to have some gelato.

Mt Titlis and the Swiss Pass

Saturday was our last day in Switzerland, and I was determined to see my glacier, so we took a day trip to Engelberg to Mt Titlis, and travelled to the top in a revolving cable car. It was rather cloudy, but we didn't go solely for the view, which was still amazing.

We walked out of the main building and went for a walk across the glacier face (much better than paying 18 euros to ride the chair lift over the glacier). 

Lots of crevasses on the glacier where you could see the different coloured ice.

We also had another snow ball fight, and went for a slide down the glacier (Cameron said we'd be cold and have wet bums) We did, but it was fun. Matt did it twice.

We went inside and ate our lunch and chatted to two other Australian couples that were there. Of course we went into the glacier cave.

Then it was back down in the gondola and a drive back to Interlaken.

So many tunnels.

And just love the exit signs

Sunday, it was a full driving day to Lake Garda in Italy (4 1/2 hours), stopping to take photos of the amazing roads (and so much fog. Sometimes we could only see 20 metres in front of us).

                                                

And scenery.

We stopped at Salo (on the edge of Lake Garda), where we did a little bit of sight seeing at Moderna (and buying gellato) before having our first Italian meal (pasta of course). 

Tomorrow Venice.