TheDJsWifeinEurope

From what we had seen of Italy so far, we were excited to visit Milan.     It was very different to Florence, with over 1.3 million population compared with Florence 380,000.    It's got a really good public transport system - buses, trams and metro all linked up and easy to follow (according to Jeff) although we had a bit of trauma getting our 3-day pass. Jeff looked on line on the evening we arrived and paid for two passes which cover all public transport - BUT, after booking the passes and paying, it then told us we had to go to the metro station and collect the card!!    Just didn't make sense when it's supposed to be digital.     We set off first thing to the nearest metro to inquire and were told 'non, non, non!' the guard said he'd 'never heard of such a pass and there was nowhere to get it in his station!'     He told us to go to the Cadorna station (different line as well) and kindly let us on the metro free.    Zoomed over there - non!  we were

Florence (Firenze) Arrived by HS train in Florence mid morning and first impressions were great coming out of the station - not crowded, no litter, pretty and sunny! It just got better and better. 10 min walk to the hotel - describe themselves as unpretentious - so we expected plain, nothing fancy, but it was perfect - right in the centre, but quiet, smart, spacious and welcoming and our room overlooking a pretty courtyard. Dropped off our bags and got straight out into the touristy hubbub. It's a small city centre so easy to get around and crammed with many little streets full of artisan, art, heritage, renaissance, impecable high end fashion in every direction.     Found the famous Mercato Centrale fairly quickly with its amazing mezzanine floor just for.... eating!! and lots of it. The original building of iron and glass opened in 1874 with the mezzanine upgrade in 2014. Wow, wow - fabulous food selection, relaxed seating and plenty interesting people watching

‘Spanish Steps’ Walked over to the famous Spanish Steps which have little to do with Spain really and were commissioned by Louis 14th of France.      They climb a slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom and Piazza Trinita dei Monta and the church of the same name at the top.    Only 135 steps but beautifully designed, to link the French church and the Spanish embassy below.    Lovely views over Rome and as Jeff discovered an interesting tea room at the bottom - Babingtons which was opened in around 1890 by two English ladies who introduced the notion of tea drinking to Rome.      We nearly went in to introduce our Yorkshire Teabags but alas will have to save that for another day. The Vatican We thought all the self-guided slots at the Vatican were booked but Jeff suggested we just went anyway and 'knocked on the door' so to speak.       Amazingly they had just had a group cancellation and 9 tickets were available for

Rain chucking it down this morning so I'm taking the chance to update this Blog since I've not had much on-line time in the last two weeks.    We have been reflecting on this year which has been one marked with almost unbearable grief as most of you will know.     I miss my two brothers so much and often still catch myself thinking I must ring them, or send a funny message.    This year has made us resolve to live life to the full, be in tune with every moment and find joy in the everyday.       All cliches I know but it is how it is. On a lighter note we have been following every day the health challenge of our dear granddaughter Susie who has just undergone a major operation to correct a spinal condition, scoliosis.    She is a brave girl and just starting to make a recovery at home.   Thanks at times like this for digital messaging so we have been able to visit her virtually at least.    We are so proud of Susie and all she has achieved and look forward to great things to co

Sadly it was too choppy for the tender boats so we were unable to visit Mykonos and so had two days at sea taking us back up to Rome.     Plenty on-board things to do including a great 'how to take photos with your smartphone' seminar where I learned a few things.     Played cards and dominoes and enjoyed the three lane pin bowling alley, although we were badly beaten by the Americans - turned out there were a few all-star players around - put me in mind of Fred and Wilma Flinstsone! enjoyed lovely whiskey tasting on our last night on-board.... I used the walking/jogging track a few times - 330 steps end to end so about 3.5 lengths per kilometer and did 10 each session about 3 kms.    Good chats along the way with people from all over the world who all wanted to know everything to do with Scotland including tails of the three-legged haggis. Passed a few volcanic rocks looking quite lively.... Saw an amazing dance show

Woke up in Piraeus harbour just outside Athens.    We were last here about 40 years ago and glad to see it had upgraded a lot!     Got a bus up to the Acropolis and so glad we did as it felt a real privilege to walk about the ancient ruins dating back to 5 th Century BC.       We were a bit cross though having queued up for the tickets in the ‘concessionary line’ to be told very loudly that British OAPs are not entitled to this and must pay full price ‘because you are not in the EU!!!!’ .      Humph to that and it cost us 20 euros more!!     Ouch. Very crowded but easy enough to get around and climb the slopes except for the super-slippery pebble paving – phew!      Don’t know how they managed in their leather pumps back in the day!     I’d hate to try that again on a rainy day!      Plenty plaques with the important facts around so we did easy DIY tour as usual.      Jeff was asked if I should be thrown to the lions.... seems he couldn't decide