Hi Everyone, sorry I havent updated in a while - I have been so busy having lots of fun. Last time I left you a message, I was in Spain - I loved Barcelona and didn't have enough time to spend there, so I think that will be a aplace I will have to find time to return to. The Guidi influence in Barcelona is very apparent and the Guidi buildings themselves are just breathtaking. Late one night we ent to a popular location for a cunset and then got to experience the awesome view of a foundtain below coming to life in awesome shapes, brightly lit by changing colours and music playing to add to the effect. A few people in the Spain group are on Facebook and have flagged me in a few photos, so if you are on Facebook - you can check those out. ( I haven't seen them yet, so I hope they are good ones!)
After Barcelona I flew to Rome to start my next trip - The Amalfi Coast & Sorrento. I met up with my tour leader from the France trip when I was in Rome, so that was great to catch up - I wasn't expecting to see her again. The new group was a group of 12 - full capacity, and a great range of people who I got along with really well, especially my room buddy - a Kiwi living in London with a wicked sense of humour. In Rome we visited the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, had dinner around the corner from the Pantheon, spent a hot & very humid day in the Colosseum and Palatino area. I found an ice-cream place that serves soy based ice-cream - so yippee, I will be going back there!
Next was Pompeii - we stayed in a very cute family run hotel that had 3 x resident dogs lying around reception waiting for their daily pats. The first night I got to Pompeii, we had the air conditioning cranked to a cold temp and I woke up in the middle of the night freezing - and then I got a head cold (I am nearly over it). We visited the ruins of Pompei, our guide was a crack up - Cosmos, very funny and showed us some the funny things they have found there, as well as the rest of the main attractions. It was such a hot and humid day - we were dribbling with sweat and drinking water by the gallan, but we all stuck it out!!! The next day we went to Mt Vesuvious - the volcano that ruined Pomeii back in 79AD. We had a special tour guide that took us up the highest point of the volcano, and along the side of the volcano that only those few who opt for the extra guide take. It was amazing to be standing at the top of a volcano, and looking out at the views of Napoli and Pompeii. The kiwi chick in the group wore her flip-flops/jandals on the hike and was sliding down the loose stones loosing her thongs constantly - it was hilarious! I reckon she is the only person who has climbed Mt Vesuvious on thongs :-)
Sorrento (where I am now) is a beautiful town - our hotel is just outside of Sorrento in Sant Angello and is a great place to stay - we even have a pool!!!!! I spent most of today at the pool. We visited the Isle of Capri, and did the boat trip to the Blue Grotto and then around the island. it was beautiful. We had a swim at the beach at Capri - in beautiful clear water. There are so many huge houses and yaghts along the shore line - very elite. We also visted the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi & Ravello) - the bus ride there and around was very hairy. The streets are basically one lane wide and the bus has to honk its horn at every corner. We nearly hid a van, a van hit the back of the bus, a car ran into a pole trying to get out of the road - all in a normal day on the Amalfi Coast - very funny. The coast line is awesome - villas and orchards line the hills and then brightly coloured umbrellas line the beaches. We had a quick dip in the ocean there too before heading back to the resort.
I have bought myself a few items of glass jewellery and a leather handbag, so I have spoilt myself a little.
I train it back to Rome tomorrow to start the next trip - essence of Italy (Intrepid are the organisers if you want to have a look at the trip notes). I am not sure when I will be able to update you all again, but I will try soon.
Cya
After Barcelona I flew to Rome to start my next trip - The Amalfi Coast & Sorrento. I met up with my tour leader from the France trip when I was in Rome, so that was great to catch up - I wasn't expecting to see her again. The new group was a group of 12 - full capacity, and a great range of people who I got along with really well, especially my room buddy - a Kiwi living in London with a wicked sense of humour. In Rome we visited the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, had dinner around the corner from the Pantheon, spent a hot & very humid day in the Colosseum and Palatino area. I found an ice-cream place that serves soy based ice-cream - so yippee, I will be going back there!
Next was Pompeii - we stayed in a very cute family run hotel that had 3 x resident dogs lying around reception waiting for their daily pats. The first night I got to Pompeii, we had the air conditioning cranked to a cold temp and I woke up in the middle of the night freezing - and then I got a head cold (I am nearly over it). We visited the ruins of Pompei, our guide was a crack up - Cosmos, very funny and showed us some the funny things they have found there, as well as the rest of the main attractions. It was such a hot and humid day - we were dribbling with sweat and drinking water by the gallan, but we all stuck it out!!! The next day we went to Mt Vesuvious - the volcano that ruined Pomeii back in 79AD. We had a special tour guide that took us up the highest point of the volcano, and along the side of the volcano that only those few who opt for the extra guide take. It was amazing to be standing at the top of a volcano, and looking out at the views of Napoli and Pompeii. The kiwi chick in the group wore her flip-flops/jandals on the hike and was sliding down the loose stones loosing her thongs constantly - it was hilarious! I reckon she is the only person who has climbed Mt Vesuvious on thongs :-)
Sorrento (where I am now) is a beautiful town - our hotel is just outside of Sorrento in Sant Angello and is a great place to stay - we even have a pool!!!!! I spent most of today at the pool. We visited the Isle of Capri, and did the boat trip to the Blue Grotto and then around the island. it was beautiful. We had a swim at the beach at Capri - in beautiful clear water. There are so many huge houses and yaghts along the shore line - very elite. We also visted the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi & Ravello) - the bus ride there and around was very hairy. The streets are basically one lane wide and the bus has to honk its horn at every corner. We nearly hid a van, a van hit the back of the bus, a car ran into a pole trying to get out of the road - all in a normal day on the Amalfi Coast - very funny. The coast line is awesome - villas and orchards line the hills and then brightly coloured umbrellas line the beaches. We had a quick dip in the ocean there too before heading back to the resort.
I have bought myself a few items of glass jewellery and a leather handbag, so I have spoilt myself a little.
I train it back to Rome tomorrow to start the next trip - essence of Italy (Intrepid are the organisers if you want to have a look at the trip notes). I am not sure when I will be able to update you all again, but I will try soon.
Cya
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