Europe 2026 Travel Diary — Paul & Kayleen Thompson

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Welcome home

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Kayleen Thompson is with Paul Thompson.

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5th August 2026

We have a train to catch at 12.20 today, to Paris.

So off to coffee and then we hurry along to the Jules Verne house/museum arriving 5 mins after opening time.

It is an interesting museum.

We hadn’t realised how many books (and plays) he had written and how well off he must have been even as a younger man. He owned 3 yachts (each one larger than the first). The third was 30m and had 9 staff. One of the rooms of the house (come museum) is a replica of the interior of the yacht. He travelled widely. He read lots. He played piano. All in addition to his work (at one stage lawyer, then , participation in community projects, societal groups, councillor). Then he also made time for his writing to which he dedicated hours each day. My photos can’t do the museum presentation justice. The info boards were brief and provided very good summaries.

Then off to collect our bags before catching the train to Paris. A metro to the airport. Taxi to a hotel near the airport…. For our flight out tomorrow. (Via Singapore for connecting flight to Brisbane).

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What an amazing place ,you could browse for hours

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4th August 2026

A day in Amiens:

As always, coffee is first so we walk to a recommended and specialised coffee store.

We follow the tour of Jules Verne starting at the Jules Verne as an infant statue near the river, then the cathedral Notre Dame (and look in), a clock inspired by Jules Verne theme. Hotel de Ville, the arts museum, the library, Circus (closed), Jules Verne’s house, Jules Verne memorial statue.

Back through central streets to the towns bell tower, past 2 more churches. To an older part of town where a real treat was peeking in an open door where a gentleman was carving wooden marionettes ‘for the puppet theatre’ he says. He allowed photos of his workshop. (We learn later, and too late, that the puppet theatre has multiple showings each week, so unfortunately we won’t have opportunity to see a show).

We have time for a quick drink at a bar along the river before our boat tour of the hortillonnages.

The boat was a traditional flat bottomed boat that toured us through the marshlands where farmers/previously small crop farmer created farms (reclaimed land) from the swamps. These hortillonnages still exist. Residents are temporary or permanent and have no power connections. The canals are the roads and private driveways. Boat is the only method of access. The hortillonnages have a Fascinating and very long history… the reason some have been preserved in the centre of Amiens.

Then we walk some more, along the Somme river to playgrounds, parks and lake.

Back to Al’Patat’rie restaurant for an unusual but very delicious dinner. Their main menu is baked potatoes dressed with different foods and flavours. Paul had a burger potato and Kay had a racklette potato with ham and cheese.

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3rd August 2026

We packed up and cleaned up the exchange house we have been staying in at Warmbrechies.

Then bus to Lillle and train from Lille to Amiens where we are staying at a hotel for 2 nights.

After check in we walk towards the centre ville of Amiens, Along the Somme river and some of the town streets.

Drinks at Mome Qui Pisse (Bar of Beers), on the Somme river.

It rains! The first serious rain we have experienced in our 2 months away. A thunderstorm. Just like a tropical downpour in Aus. It passes soon enough and we walk a little further into town to an Italian restaurant for dinner.

There is a wonderful sunset created by the after-storm clouds… Kay catches pics behind the Jules Verne inspired water garden with octopus legs and an old train station(?), now Halles Freyssinet.

Amiens was home to Jules Verne for many years, attracted here because he married a lady who’d wanted to stay near family. (We learn at his museum that he had lived in Nantes for 20 years and Paris for 23 before moving to Amiens). He was active in commercial and societal communities of the town, having membership and leadership roles in various industrial and arts societies. He also had a councillor role for some years.

Amiens was built on swampland along the Somme river and still has many canals, in addition to the Somme River, running through it.

It also has a great range of architecture, from traditional to modern.

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Lyn Gurtner

Some fantastic photos there Kayleen!

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2nd August

Visit La Manufacture. A fabric factory museum in nearby Roubaix.

It has machinery demonstrating weaving from historic traditional in home looms for a family’s own fabric needs to more modern late 20th century machines. Roubaix was very much a fabric production centre from the time of Industrial Revolution. Even Australian and New Zealand wool was processed here. Wool was the main fibre processed and used in Roubaix factories.

The factory building we were in at one time made replicas of traditional tapestries.

Our last dinner at Warmbrechies: we take a picnic to the Robersart park. We are going to miss this park and the river walks.

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Elaine James

5w

Wow that looks interesting

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30th July 2026

Today we visit the Moulin at Boeshepe, Mill of Ingratitude , or Ondankmeulen.

From its car park we take a walk. It’s a nice country walk on farm tracks and back roads with some gorgeous country views and through some bush. Back at the moulin we have a beer at the tavern in site.

Drive to Amentieres.

It’s not so impressive, not much is open in the streets around the Maire. Some shops even look to be permanently closed. We are not attracted to stay for dinner so back to the car. Drive via backroads and small towns to Wambrechies supermarket where we do our last grocery ‘shop’. Then out to the Le Cap restaurant for dinner.

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29th July

Back to Calais for a third time cos Kay saw that there is a Lace and Fashion Museum there and we learned of it too late on our last visit. And there is a dragon that she wants to see. Plus it’s a hot day so we can try a swim.

Paul doesn’t enter the museum display but has a coffee in the courtyard, goes for a walk to get some lunch and returns and waits on a lounge in the museum foyer.

Kay spends almost 3 hours in the Lace and Fashion Museum in Calais. Oops.

In the newer galley area There was a clothes and homewares exhibition by 2 amazing designers. Plus another exhibition of 19th to 20th century clothes (with particular focus on the use of lace).

And in the old lace factory one floor was dedicated to the history of lace (and lacemaking by hand).

Another floor is dedicated to all the steps in the process of lace making by machine. This also included a demonstration of a working machine.

Dragged herself away… feeling guilty (but very grateful) for the abandoned husband.

We move the car closer to the beach…. After 2 loops around many

car parks we finally find one. On the way from the car to the beach we pass by a Sideshow Alley style event set up in a car park for the holidays. And a large mechanical dinosaur/lizard walking across the street.

At the beach the tide is a long way out but we walk ‘the mile’ to the water and wade out. The water is disgusting. Brown, visibility of 3 inches ( but no-one’s putting there head in) and gunk suspended in the water. No-one swims in the rivers here but I think the rivers are cleaner. Mmmm… the rivers flow into this sea. And there are multiple ships/ferries per hour coming to and going from the port next door. Ah well, we dipped in the English Channel.

Found the “Dragon” we wanted to see further along the beach on the esplanade walking path. So after the swim went to check it out. It was stopped for a passenger change. Waited ages for it start up again then followed it along the esplanade for a bit.

Stopped for ice creams and a sit. Not being able to decide what to do next, we sat with a beer at the beach bar.

Drove home via the local supermarket to buy heat up dinners. Dinner after 9.30…ugh, but not unusual for the French.

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27th July

Travel to Phalempin Forest for bush walk Through Ermitage woods, past Chateau L’Ermitage. A 10km circuit according to AllTrails. Thankful for a cooler day.

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25th July

There is a small airport close by… their specialty is small planes … that take up gliders and parachutists and stunt planes.

Travel by bus to Lille. Walk around the citadel (a military zone) and the park and bit of forest that surround it. There is a zoo and a mini Dreamworld play park in the park. Plus the park is on the Deule river. Relax with a drink and bowl of fries at the bar/cafe (also in the park).

Then walk into and about the old city again to fill some time. Decide to eat early dinner in

Lille before catching the bus back to home base.

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24th July

Drive so Saint-Omer, pick up lunch and eat it near the nature park info centre. There is a Canal and windmill used to drain the marshes here.

Drive a little further to the start of a couple trails. (La Grange Nature parking lot). Walk to the Viewing point and back. It is an area of marshlands, drained into canals and lakes with the use of moulins (windmills) to produce small crop farms.

The viewing point is a bird hide overlooking a lake and bird breeding areas.

Back into central Saint-Omer for walk of old streets, a park with old defensive walls. Sit for a drink at the park cafe next to the carousel

More street walking rewarded with a drink at a pub and dinner at La Terrasse.

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Elaine James

6w

Looks like your having a great time

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22nd July

Road trip to a day out in Ghent (or Gent) in Belgium.

Three lane highway (in one direction) most of the way. One is an almost always speed limited trucks. The rest of us ‘can’ do 130km/hr in places.

We drive to the outskirts of Ghent to a park and ride, then tram into the city centre.

Somehow, we have managed to arrive in the midst of a 10 day long Festival. One of the biggest festivals in the Europe (music, theatre etc). Good thing we came mid week to avoid the crowds… the crowds are more than the usual tourist crowds and would be even bigger in the weekends. 183rd anniversary of this festival.

We see some key attractions, including

St Nicholas Cathedral

Castle of the Counts (we tour this one with audio guide)

The Graffiti street and the specialist coffee and chocolate shop. Buy a coffee resist the chocs - oh, grrr, we are being so damn ‘good’!

Artisanal ‘handmade chocolate’ shops.

A river boat ride/tour with guide - great.

Lots of amazing architecture and history… too much to recall and record…. some 12th century stuff still standing.

Much of the festival infrastructure was set up in the old city…. So had hidden the view of the buildings. Lots of people, buskers, concerts, music, beer hall like tents, food trucks, people.

Spitburger for lunch.

Bagel burger for dinner. (Was easy, tables available).

Tram back to car and drive ( about 1hr 10mins) home.

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20th July Dunkirk to Calais (Part 2 Grand Fort Phillipe)

A stop at Grand Fort Phillipe on our way to Calais. It was a bit more industrial (fish market?) this side of the river. There was more fun, food and activities across the river at Petit Fort Phillipe… a little harbour, a cafe precinct, lighthouse, boat hire etc etc.

There was a memorial that has steps to a viewing platform.

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20th July Dunkirk to Calais ( Part 3 Calais)

On to Calais.. this time to the city centre area

The Mairie (town hall) and it’s clock tower,

A ‘fashion and flowers’ garden in front of the Mairie,

Memorial statues (a bronze one by artist Rodin)

Park St Pierre and fountain of the three graces.

Cross Calais Canal, walk a bit,

and then cross the canal again into the

Citadel of Calais (now housing sports fields and clubs within its ‘walls’) through

Neptune’s gate.

Have steak dinner at La Table de Prestige restaurant at Calais. It was in the main street, Royale Street, decorated with a curtain of ribbons.

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20th July Dunkirk to Calais (part 1 - Dunkirk)

Dunkirk… just wandered about. Lots of things are closed because it’s Monday.

Saw:

Parts of the inner city harbour,

Community Services building

St Elois church scarred with its war wounds,

piazza,

memorials,

clock/bell tower (built in 1440 on a 12th century watchtower now houses a carillon of 48 bells, added memorials to the Great War and the tourist information centre),

very different architecture as Dunkirk was rebuilt as quickly and cost effectively as possible after 90% of it was destroyed in WW2.,

City Hall

the tower of Leughenaer that has evolved over time to become a lighthouse,

bastions,

New Apartments under construction,

Beach,

Beach huts

hotels,

beach front cafes and businesses.

Fresh mussels and seafood market.

Take time for a coffee and a sit for a while inside at a cosy restaurant.

Sadly, Dunkirk has now risen to a share in the top place in our ‘worst public toilet’ list.

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18th July

Another day out in Lille (or Roubaix really). Robert Mallet-Stevens gardens and then to see the restored Cavrois House … designed by architect Robert Mallet-Stevens for textile manufacturers Paul and Lucie Cavrois (and their 7 children). Very much the flavour of a Frank Lloyd Wright house. Furniture and fittings also designed by the architect.

Then tram.

To the Musee de Piscine (the swimming pool museum). Not about swimming pools but an art gallery contained in a 1930s swimming pool and baths complex. With remains of the pool and a water feature.

Pre-dinner drinks at Lille’s 5star L’Hermitage Grandois (the Grand Hermitage) Hotel. An old hospice, restored and modern. The old chapel restored to its more original glory. The drinks/bar is a luxurious space in what was a the courtyard between 4 buildings, now enclosed with glass roof and some ceiling.

See the Paris Gate along the way.

Pasta dinner at the La Come Prima.

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7w

So much to take in thank goodness for photo's

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14th and 15th and 16th July (Opal coast pt3)

Back to home base via Marquise, Lundres where we stop for walk (pretty town, clean, no dead flower pots, town parks watered and weeded and mulched, a trout in the creek that runs through town), Setques, Esquerdes, Hallines, Arques where we stop for another walk and a coffee.

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14th and 15th July and 16th (Opal Coast pt2)

15th July

After waking to a hotel (2 villages in fact) with no water.

We have breakfast at the hotel and head out for the day. We won’t be staying a second night if water is not back on.

Wissant on Market day.

Plage de Strouanne… we have to park just off the main road (Parking Strouanne) and walk through a small collection of houses to see the beach. Walk along the beach a little then up and along the cliffs walk to

Le Petit Blanc Nez. Windy!

Drive through Escalles, through Sangette to Calais for lunch.

Find a park along the beach front, in search of a place for lunch, then note that there is a beach cafe quite close to our park . A relaxed beach view, protected from the wind, cold drink and La planche (charcuterie plate) followed by decent coffee. Watch the ferries come and go between Calais’ nearby harbour and Dover.

Cape Blanc Nez.

Stop at Cape Gris Nez to do a walk a path past the lighthouse that we didn’t take yesterday.

To Ambleteuse to see the fort on the beach.

Back to hotel …water is back on… the tower ran out of water (?is the story).

Walk to nearby bar for dinner.

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7w

A lot of history hidden there I bet..

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14th and 15th July and 16th (Opal Coast pt 1)

Visit to the Opal Coast. Headed to Le Touquet, stayed 2 nights near Cape Gris Nez. Travelled as north as Calais.

14th:

Le Touquet

Sainte Cecile beach.

Camiers.

Boulogne sur Mer seems too busy to find a park so we don’t stop.

Cape Gris Nez.

Cran Poulet, a rocky beach and stay to watch the sunset.

Then drive back to viewing platforms at Cape Gris Nez at 10.40pm on the 14th to see fireworks for Bastille Day celebrations (they are probably the Wissant fireworks on the beach that we see).

There is wheat everywhere we go.. harvesting, baling the straw.

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13th July

A day out in Lille. For 2 euros each (one way) we catch the bus to and from Lille. Spend the entire afternoon and evening meandering the old streets and piazzas of Lille. Coffee, lunch and dinner in Lille.

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12th July

This afternoon we took A little boat ride down the Duele river. A volunteer group run this electric boat from the little port at Wambrechies.

Then we found dancing in the park.

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11th July

We head off on a ride to Belgium, along a bicycle/walking path all the way to Warneton. The path follows the Deule River till it meets the Lys River near Warneton.

Stop for picnic lunch in a shady spot.

Cross the 2 bridges across the Lys river to reach Belgium, take a short work to small square close to the bridge and travel back across one bridge to France to the Guinguette la Marine (on an island in the river) for a coke and ice.

The Guinguette are interesting relaxed bar and food spaces… similar to Eat Street in Brisbane but it’s only one bar and one or two food outlets around lots of chairs with umbrellas. (There a few near us)

Then back home the same way.

About 15 kms each way. A nice 32 degree day for a ride. At least there was a little breeze today.

Dinner at our neighbourhood Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant.

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Kath Ashdown

Cycling along the River and exploring into the little villages is a wonderful way to view the areas.

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10th July

We visit the Museum of Rural Life of Steenwerke (30 mins drive away). Curious to see similarities and differences to Aus history. It covered a similar era of ethereal mechanisation of farming. Potatoes have obviously been a feature crop in this region for a long time.

Stop at Bailleul to see Flemish architecture on walk about village centre.

We stumble across ‘by chance’ a Lace Making School (l’école dentellière). Kay abondons Paul to a park bench while she goes in. There are some displays and some lace for sale , but there is a group in session that she was invited in to see. Was more than a little thrilled!

Her Great Grandmother did lacemaking apparently. She has never seen lacemaking in real life before. Wow!!

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The machinery reminds me of our trip to Kingaroy with Dad.

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A great collection there

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8th July

Drive to village of Cassell fo lunch and a look. Kay has a recommended Flemish dish, Caronnade for lunch. It’s beef stewed in beer with spice mix and mustard - a very tasty stew. We see the Grand Place of Cassell which is now a car park surrounded by the commercial area, Ramparts, part of a Roman wall, a Moulin (windmill), the site of a 2nd century church, grey views from the site of same.

We drive on the Abbaye Sainte-Marie du Mont-des-Cats. Not sure it has anything to do with cats

. Monks, not cats.

We Don’t go into the main Abbaye. Apparently you can stay here, they have rooms for rent, you can join in at their services and prayer times, enjoy quiet contemplation…

We had a look into the shop… they make their own brand of cheeses.

The whole drive takes us through farming country… cattle (close to barns), white, maize, potatoes, hops (an area with a number of breweries), grapes.

We drive on to find a place for a rest and drink. Bar brasserie des étangs. It’s fine, not busy, shade, an ok view of a green pond with big fish and a bit of country fields with crops, and desserts. We order a virgin Mojito (iced drinks are always nice but never big enough), water, charcuterie plate (their Planche) and sorbet Festivale (berry, apple and lemon sorbets with berry coulis and whipped cream). Calling that ‘dinner’.

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7th July

After 5pm we ride to Espace Loissir (a park) for a free acrobatic show. We have a beer and buy a Faluch from a food cart for dinner. The acrobatic show is from 7-8pm.

Themed on visiting space… rockets, astronauts etc.

There is a harvester working in a field… we stop and wait to get a picture/video as it comes close-ish to the road we are travelling along.

Home, with time walk in the evening light, to a beer at Le Bazar bar. 9.30-10.15pm.

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Wow what a show

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6th July

We are at this house in Wambrechies for another 4 weeks so will limit posts to special outings/places.

Another rest day, slow day. Today’s goal was to find the car (there are various car parking areas around town for residents because the terrace houses don’t have garages) and take a practice drive. It’s a large, quite new, manual Peugeot.

because we have to drive on the wrong side of the (narrow) road, change gears right handed and navigate etc. No worries! We’ve done it before. Car is back safe and sound. Kay’s nerves will settle.

We have a Michelin Restaurant around the corner. … definitely putting a dinner there on our To Do list.

Another Movie after dinner.

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5th July

Relax a while, breakfast and a walk.

There is a car show on nearby and, after coffee, we peruse the classique and retro cars. (Sorry, all the pics are cars). Thinking especially of our car enthusiast friends.

Buy baguette, an amandine (almond tart)and cheese on the way home. Make baguette sandwich lunch.

Snooze time. We have stopped, after the Paris go go go, and feel the tiredness from our long days, long walks, and the poor sleeps due to heat, noise and eating late.

Cuppa. And relax in the garden. It is so nice to have a comfortable and lovely and private outdoor space to relax in. Can apartment living parisiens ever truely relax. Their only outdoor life is public.

Charcuterie dinner in the garden.

Complete the relaxing day with a Movie: Flash.

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Wow love classic cars

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Fred Derf

Nice!

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4th July

Bye Paris. Travel day. Walk to coffee first. The Dancing Goat is not open yet so we opt for another cafe… the Cafe Latte (as is on the board) (waiter translates to Coffee Créma) is ok.

Back to finish packing, cleaning apartment. Leave a bit after 11am. 2 metros to Gare du Nord station, where we buy and eat lunch before boarding the fast train to Lille Flandres. The train takes 1 hour and 5 minutes direct, non-stop between the two stations. The drive time between stations is 2 hours and 45 mins according to google maps.

Uber to our exchange house at Wambrechies. Meet Michéle the cat (our boss) and settle in.

Take a walk to supermarket for dinner and breakfast supplies. But before dinner, take a walk to and along the river. There are walking/biking paths on both sides of the river. There is a lovely park (looks like a semi private park as is has restricted opening hours). Wambrechies is pretty. The old is made modern, sometimes by simply being clean.

A self-catered, at home Dinner and early bed.

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3rd July

A Day in Montmartre.

Metros to Pigalle station, to visit the Museum of Romantic Life ( it sounds better in French: Musée de la Vie Romantique), dedicated to art and artists of the early 19th century’s Romantic period in art. Once home to artist Ary Scheffer, who worked in various mediums and styles, it is now a gallery/museum of his and fellow artist’s works. He held salon meetings for artists on Friday evenings. Artworks of and by female writer, George Sand and family, also feature in the gallery. She was friend/lover of Chopin for 9 years. She and Chopin lived nearby.

Zigzagged our way about the district to see Place Saint Pierre (base of the hill and park of Sacré Coeur), Place de Tertre (an artist, art and cafe filled piazza), Place du Calvaire, A galleries featuring Dali art pieces, views of Paris from the steps of Sacré Coeur, Parc Marcel Bluestein Blanchet, Chev Plumeau for lunch, la Maison Rose a restaurant on Rue d’Albreuvoir (one of the oldest streets in Paris, referenced as early as 1325) with its 1930’s houses - one housing a Commander to Napoleon and #6 was Renoir’s house, Place Dalida and the bronze bust of the singer Dalida.

Interspersed somewhere on this walk was also Picasso’s studio at Bateau Lavoire #13 Place Emile-Goudeau, and a whole corner of guitar shops.

Paul sat in a park while Kay had a ‘very quick look’ through 5 of the fabric stores….one had 5 floors of fabric.

We continued with a walk up and down Rue Lepic featuring an apartment where Vincent Van Gogh and his brother lived for a while, Cote des 2 Moulins where Amilie (from the movie, Amelie) worked.

Along the famous Promenade of sex shops and the famous Moulin Rouge….We wanted to check that the windmill sails were back on as they had been blown off in a storm just before our last visit to Paris.

Back to Amelie’s 2 Moulins for a drink to access a loo (after a very

unpleasant experience for Kay in a public auto-loo).

Back to apartment quite late (9.30?). Out to dinner - share a pizza and a salad at the nearby Italian restaurant. The chef/owner is able to speak some English and he asks if we will write a review.

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2nd July

Paul has a virtual Standards meeting. Thankfully checkout time at this hotel is 11.30. But he is done by, and we check out at, 11. Leaving our bags in storage at reception, we head out in search of coffee and breakfast. Continue on to revisit the streets of the old town and some of the places our friends took us to last night … including the remnants of the oldest walls, now with the old town built atop them.

After 2 pm we are back at the hotel to collect our bags and head to the station (ducking into another church on the way) for train back to Paris. The trip took about 3 hours (3.30 to 6.30pm) with the train stopping at multiple stops.

Back to apartment after 7. Out to dinner out our closest restaurant, Italian Grazia Marcia.

All the pics are at Le Mans unless captioned.

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1st July

Yesterday’s post finished with a toast to unplanned experiences. Today, our plans changed or were rearranged for us. First, we gave up on coffee in order to get underway. The PLAN was to take a prebooked train to Le Mans. We need to take 2 metros to get to the Austerlitz train station. As we are on the 1st metro we get notification that the train has been cancelled due to a person being hit by a train.

Ok, we continue on set path (metro train2) and Paul quickly books tickets on a different train to Le Mans, it leaves from a different station. Back we go on the Metro (3rd train). Oops,no, didn’t need to go back, needed to go further along on the last Metro. Get off and head back again(4th), change to 5th.

Arrive at the alternate Montparnasse station and have over an hour to wait for a train which leaves later than the original. Time for coffee but , sadly, it was a poor quality Starbucks coffee, with a confusing purchasing experience.

The platform for our train is displayed late and we discover we are further from the Hall and platform and we need to be at than we thought…. But made the train. Thèse intra national and international train stations are like airports, There are multiple Halls each with multiple platforms. Each undercover Hall can be as large or larger than Brisbane’s Roma Street Station.

We Arrive Le Mans, check in to our smart little room at the (Logis) Charleston Hotel and head straight out for a walk around Le Mans. Get another unimpressive, weak coffee.

Find the large cathedral and look in - it is one of the largest in France. Walk some of the streets of the old town.

We are in Le Mans for Dinner at 7.45 pm with friends. The evening quickly evaporates and at 11 we leave the restaurant for a guided tour of the old town, sharing of their experiences and life in the town.

They walk us back to our hotel before our good nights and their promise to visit us in Australia.

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30th June

Happy Anniversary to Us.

After our standard Dancing Goat coffee we gear up for today’s outing. Metros and train to Vernon-Giverny (about 2 hours) and a leisurely walk to Monet’s garden at Giverny. The walk follows the river bank for a while, through a small village and through wheat and corn fields. A perfect (5.6km) walk/bike path, lots of picnic spaces along the way. We bought baguette sandwiches to have a picnic lunch on this walk.

Then spend time in Monet’s Gardens, by the lake , through the flower gardens and a walk through the house with its paintings (some reproductions, perhaps?) and decor.

We leave the gardens for refreshments while we wait for a shuttle bus back to Vernon. For the same price we can take a little tourist train, so opt for that instead of the shuttle bus …once Kay takes over negotiations and secures tickets.

Train back to Paris is delayed. Good thing we hadn’t made dinner reservations.

When an anniversary dinner is unplanned (and very late) you end up eating indoors (because they are packing up outdoors) at a Chinese noodle and dumpling restaurant in some random location. Better than the McDonalds store in the train station.

We bought glasses of wine to make a toast (or few).

To us (happy anniversary), to travel, to a great day, to unplanned experiences!

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Maree James

Happy anniversary to you both

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29th June

Walk to coffee at The Dancing Goat cafe (yes, again, they sell flat whites and knew we were Australians from our order).

Walk to Bellville Park as I video call to Mum and one of my brothers …. Taking them on a walk in Paris. Our arrival at Bellville Park gives a view to the Eiffel Tower. That was unexpected. Was a treat for mum to see it. It’s our target feature of the day.

On, through to a Metro station to get us to Trocadéro and the views out (across the river) to The Eiffel Tower.

Before we cross the river we detour to second coffee .

Then back to Parzis square. Down through Trocadéro gardens, and across the bridge, now with the 2 centre lanes dedicated to pedestrians. That’s better than having people standing on the centre doubles lines between 4 lanes of traffic for fancy photos with the Tower backdrop.

Enter the security zone under the Tower and walk the small gardens.

Out of the secure zone to meander through the shady part of the gardens, cross Champ de Mars, take a seat to rest a while and buy our first Croque Monsieur for this trip from the garden cafe.

Meander the streets of the Gros-Caillou area. Have afternoon drinks at Cafe Le Recruitment. Walk to river and cross the very ornate Pont Alexandre III and see another side of the Grand Palais, and view of the Eiffel Tower. Rest in some shade on some green grass. We are waiting for dusk to see the Eiffel Tower lights.

We wander back across the river and find a place to eat dinner after 8pm. Finally we settle on the grass (about 9.30) in the Eiffel Tower park. And wait, wait, wait. Sunset/dusk isn’t until after 10pm (we expected the first Lights at dusk, then every hour - ?wrong info?).

And it’s turned cold. There is quite a breeze. We huddle and cuddle. Lights sparkle at 11pm. YaY!

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David Gleeson

Big day Paul Thompson. Loved Paris.

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Beautiful photos, especially of the Tower in lights

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28th June

Thunderstorms last night but only a few spots of rain for us, and not much cooler, so another difficult sleep. There is no air con here, or fan. Not many places, homes or commercial spaces, have air con here. It’s not usually this hot.

Metro to Bercy to walk through Park De Bercy and on into Bercy Village and coffee in bibliothèque (Library). Park is Ok, a bit dishevelled., but cool and shady. The village is quite new. Maybe built over an old industrial area (we think). And the Library is huge, but another example of the (usually) non-important need for air con. A very cavernous east/west facing glass atrium. It felt like a hot house.

From the library we step down to the river Seine. This area on the river is still quite industrial with mostly cement manufacturers/distributors. When we cross over the river via pont de Tolbiac we are back to private house boats, floating bars/restaurants, even a swimming pool and a floating hotel.

Cross the bridge pont de l’Archeveche to go around Notre Dame. Then sit with a drink at l’Ombre (the shade) Nortre Dame looking up at the other side (to yesterday’s view) of Notre Dame. We don’t go in.

Leave the Island via the flower market and Pont du Change to walk further along the river (very crowded pathways today), taking in views along the way.

To the Louvre to admire the external architecture once again. We wanted to walk through the Toulouse Gardens but the first section was closed (due to little shade and to protect people from heat stroke. We sat on the river side of the fence and admired them anyway. There was a Ferris wheel in the steer over and an imitation hot air balloon (apparently a remnant of the Olympic Games reinstalled for summer) and walked down into the shaded area of the gardens and out to Concorde end of the Champs-Élysée.

And walk on. Detoured for a peak at the Petit Palace and the Grand Palace. Reached the shopping precinct of the Champs-Élysées. Were tempted into a Renault store display… a car showroom like we’ve never seen before!!

Stop for a drink at a restaurant we ate a meal at in 2024. And on to the Arc de Triomphe. Wait a while for the sun to sink a little, people watching and traffic watching at this famous roundabout. And take this time for dinner a little way back from the crowds. A great choice at La Folie Des Champs.

A last sunset snap of the Arc.

It’s a day! We are done! Find a Metro station to get us back to home base.

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Great achievement Kayleen and Paul Inspite of the heat!

Been on a cruise on the Seine. Was in Paris for 3 days and did some of…

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27th June

Woke late after a difficult (too hot) sleep. Walked to a cafe, The Dancing Goat for coffee. Took the Metro to Jardin du Luxembourg - our favourite garden. There were some markets just outside one o the gates that we detoured to also. Then sat in the shade a while to soak in the atmosphere. Next, walked past The Pantheon to a Roman amphitheatre (remains thereof), take a stop for drinks as we passed through Place de Contrescarpe (At Bar La Petite), then walk on to Jardin Des Plantes before taking a long river bank, back to Metro Chatlets (for metro back to Telegraphe.

Back to the same restaurant Gracia Marcia for dinner. Kay did not choose pasta (roast veal instead).

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26th June Zurich to Paris

Train to Basel.

The Basel stop is for a quick train change. Basel to Paris. The people sat in front of is were a family of 4 and dad had his wallet taken (by pickpockets) as he got on the train. It seems he found wallet with only cash taken.

Paris train was via Dijon, an area we didn’t see last time. Lots of wheat fields.

Metro from Gare de Lyon station to Telegraphe. Our Home Exchange host, had a friend meet us with keys. We waited in the courtyard of the apartment complex for 10-15 mins… and got to see some of the neighbours - interesting place. The apartment is a bachelor’s pad. Very simple, very basic.

Paris is 37 degrees.

After dropping stuff into the apartment we walked to parc des Buttes Chaudement (weedy, untidy and island/tower feature is closed). Not cool. Walked back to home base via Rue De Mouzaia.

Out to dinner at nearby restaurant (Italian) for very yummy pasta. I know, we are in France now but the restaurant is close and we like pasta.

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Narelle Thamm

Lovely!!

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25th June

A day in Zurich in 34 degrees. Motivation to do anything is low after a poor nights sleep. The temp didn’t get below 29 degrees in our room. We had only a fan for cooling. It seemed cooler outside but no breeze or flow through the unit.

We dawdle to first coffee and brioche (croissant shaped). The street is cooler than our room, mainly due to the breeze. We sit, lingering over the coffee, considering our plan for the day. Where is there air conditioning. Shopping centres are already ‘busier than usual’ according to Google. There are over 30 museums (Kay had started researching but gave up at 30), non too inspiring, all expensive. The Lindt museum is the most unique but we are not tempted. There are places you can swim in the lake. Sounds cool! We wander the old streets a little more, staying in the cool shade. We are already talking about second coffee and stop for same.

Pick up bathers and towels and head off for the botanical gardens and lake. Buy some fruit and muesli bar snack. Pass by the Opera House.

Swim in the lake. Refreshed. And laze in the shade.

Take a walk further into the gardens, to the Chinese gardens. See a stoat/weasel/feret there and a young one.

Walk to the end on the gardens and back to our original swim spot. Lots of people coming from work now for the park and to swim in the lake.

Another swim and cool drink and more lazing.

Back to hotel along the lake and some back lanes to home base - shower and change for dinner…. Downstairs at our Spanish bar for Sangria (Kay) and Tapas (Russian Salad, chorizo, cheese, bread).

Walk a couple doors down to gelato. Back to our 32 degree room.

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Goodness! I am glad you managed to have a swim somewhere.

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24th June

Breakfast is included in our hotel cost so we dine in the enormous gorgeous old style restaurant though the breakfast is buffet style.

On our way to the station, take in the views surrounding the town. Passing trekkers and cyclists. There is still ice in the waterway through town, even though Pontresina has been experiencing 30 degree days (above normal temperatures).

Today we train to Zurich via 3 trains. The first takes us to Samedan for a quick change to Chur. Lunch stop in Chur before 3rd train to Zurich.

The train journeys…. Again, spectacular!!

Through ‘Heidi’ country, many more tunnels, UNESCO world heritage listed tunnel and area, farmland - wheat, corn, hay, silage, dairies (though few cows - they must be indoors at the barns/dairies). We did see cattle inside one of them that we passed close to.

As we approached Zurich we travelled close to the lake.

Once in Zurich we walk to our hotel…. A room in the attic (4th floor) above a Spanish restaurant bar on the ground floor, formal restaurant on the second and a ‘salon’ on the third. While the room is fairly plain, the stairwells and dining rooms of the second and third floors are a step back in time. Worn stairs, actual old furniture, and appropriate table decor are breathtaking (and fully functional). There are (more) modern kitchens (different functions for each) on each (of the 3) floor.

Out and about, we walk the lanes and streets of this older part of Zurich. Quaint stores with specialties and artisans like secondhand watches (and repairs), woodwork, books, etc. Some buildings date back to 1300s, 1500s, 1600s. Many buildings were originally for ‘guilds’.

There are beautiful water fountains through the city. Over 1200 apparently. The water is the same glacier blue of the lake but tested to be suitable for drinking. Each fountain has water entering the fountain via a pipe for collection for drinking.

Zurich is expensive. Food looks to be 30% plus more than Milan. Aperol was 5-8 euro, pasta course 12-18, meat course 25-40 in Milan. Here 11-18 CHF for Aperol and 18-26 for pasta course. Meat courses are 50-65 CHF

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Lovely and not too many tourist with those prices?

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Wow

Always wanted to do the train trips in Zurich and surrounds! Fabulous

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Hard to identify in the photo, but there are 1 large blocks of ice in this stream in Pontresina

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23rd June

We take the Metro to Milan’s Centrale Station for the first of 2 trains to Pontresina. The first train is to Tirano, near the border with Switzerland, where we have some time for a quick lunch sandwich. It’s a pretty place.

the route from Milan was beautiful… farmland, some pretty crazy crop (grapes) growing on very strep slopes, a lake … a very very big lake (no photos due to our position on the train).

Across the square from the Italian train station in Tirano is the station for Swiss trains. We board a train that will take us through the Swiss alps and our overnight stop of Pontresina.

The language border is a little further into Switzerland where the language spoken changes from Italian to German.

Paul chose a slower train from

Tirano- it stopped at all of the little stations. And the windows actually opened (great for better photos without reflection on the glass)- for the more authentic ride through the mountains.

Awesome!!!!

Spectacular!!!!

Wow!!!!

Photos cannot do it justice.

As another guy in our carriage put it,”It’s like being a kid again!” The thrill and excitement - we were on our feet most of the way stepping from one side of the train to the other to see and try to capture the incredible views. The train climbed, and quite quickly, weaving through tunnels and chicanes sometimes doing loops through tunnels. The villages grew distant and the mountain peaks grew closer.

There is still some snow on the mountains and there are glaciers, including Bernino Glacier.

We start to see hikers and mountain bikers. Some ski lifts are working. There is a real summer hiking/biking industry here.

Rooms at our enchanting historic hotel do not have air conditioning. But it is absolutely charming. The room is large. Toilet is at the other end if the hallway (3 metres wide and creaky floorboards). A shower room and a room with a bath are down the hall and down 1/2 floor ( to another wing). Still wondering how one shower end one bath can serve approx 30 rooms of this floor when the hotel is full. There is a basin in our room. Perhaps people were used to sponge baths back in the day.

And it is a grand hotel. On entry ( besides the reception) is the reading room/ library, a games room with tables and board games, a very large lounge area with grand piano and bar, and there smaller lounge area (different furniture) and then a large dining area.

Pontresina. Many people staying here are hikers (walking poles and backpacks are the giveaways) and bikers. Or, as we find out the next morning at checkout… people wanting to escape the heatwave and get a good night sleep in the cooler environment.

In winter it is a ski town but we only saw one ski shop… there must be another part of town?

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22nd June

Take Metro to Garabaldi… and step out onto the street with the view of the shiny modern buildings I from when we arrived in Milan. We are looking for the vertical gardens- buildings dripping with greenery - a stark contrast to the mirror finishes of the modern buildings. Walk to see Girabaldi Gate. Impressed by the transitionary elements used to tie old to new architecture. Back into the cluster of modern buildings and their central water feature to the parks and gardens on the other side of them - nice to see the mix of buildings and space and gardens (reminds us more of home). Many people in the apartments around seem inspired by the vertical garden buildings and have greenery in their balconies and rooftops.

Weave our way to Montanelli Gardens. Savoy hotel is busy with black vans bringing and taking the rich and maybe famous.

It is hot again, apparently not as hot as yesterday (??) so we enjoy the cooler shade of the gardens (there’s not a breath of breeze). How are the wildflowers in the park surviving?

On to pass the Nouva Gate Arch. The Armani Hotel is busy with Black vans and cars coming and going also, as is the Grand Hotel of Milan. The neighbouring stores of brands who hope to be famous - exquisite fashion, art and homewares. There is a Fashion Week on.

We find ourselves at the statue of Leonardo, at the back end of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II. Someone famous must be shopping in the Prada store - Phone cameras and long lenses poised at every window and a guard of honour of photographers at the shop door. (Maybe there’s a back door exit?).

The building next door is the Rinascente - like a Myers store in Aus. Full of brands and perfume on the bottom floor, homewares on the 6th, food hall on the 7th. They squish more brands, products and customers in compared to the ones in Aus (for a similar sized space). We escalate to the top floor for views of the Cathedral Duoma (from just a little space between 2 rooftop restaurants). Thee was no ‘take your time’ viewing platform.

Cool drink and Kay gets to try an Affogato on the way back to Home base- AIR CONDITIONING

Last dinner in Italy has to be Pasta.

We take another walk along the canal looking for a place to eat. Choose Osteria Dal Cornuto. The kind owner (?) tries to gift Kay a pasta bowl as we leave the restaurant.

She Takes a photo of the plate as a replacement for the gift.

A sunset walk.

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21st June

Walked into the old part of Milan city, past the Roman columns of the Colonne di San Lorenzo. Along the Corso di Porta Ticinese through the old city gate. Into the square around the massive church Duomo di Milano. Through the lux shopping mall, Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II. Around the fashion precinct of quadrilatero della moda. To the castle sforzesco. Then into the gardens where we saw squirrels, past the arch Arco Della Pace, sat for a late afternoon drink then walked home again. Found the recommended gelateria on the way for banana and black garlic flavour, also tempted by avocado,laurel and cinnamon.

15km of walking. Temp of 35 they say, but hotter in the streets we say.

It’s (men’s) Fashion week for winter collection…these black vans marked and unmarked are everywhere.

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Shane Thompson

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What a coincidence! Aimi was in Milan over the weekend.

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11w

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20th June

Travel day. Trains from Navacchio to Florence, Florence to Milan.

Once through the mountains (tunnels) the train passes through farmland with fields of wheat and other crops.

At 3pm we arrive at our accommodation - I one bedroom apartment in a quiet complex of apartments and courtyard that exist behind a large wooden door on a busy street.

Then it’s time to walk the neighbourhood … explore and discover. Canals, architecture, trams, the canal’s walk-bridges with live locks, the art courtyard, the stream (water diverted from the canal) for clothes washing with its roofed covering, pretty cafes, the nursery school doorway, the streets jammed packed with the outdoor tables of restaurants. (And the graffiti and overflowing rubbish bins).

It’s hot hot hot. High 30s. Stop for drinks - we find a cafe in a breezy walkway between two buildings and with solid shade offered by the neighbouring building.

We are waiting for our chosen restaurant to open, so walk and surrender (from rhe heat) to another drink stop.

Osteria Milanese restaurant (at 7pm) for traditional dishes of Risotto alla Milanese (Kay) and Costoletta Di vitello. Risotto made with beef bone marrow. Veal cutlet crusted in bread. crumbs.

They offered us limoncello and biscotti (on the house).

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19th June

Our last full day in Navacchio. And we make it an easy one before the next legs of our journey which will have us moving a little faster and be hot. We relax in the air con, tidy the house and wash clothes. We take a short walk in the cool (? Still in the low 30s) of the evening (8.30pm).

This view on our walk.

May be an image of grass, horizon and fog

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18th June

Paul has an online meeting this morning and we have a Sandwich for lunch before we go out to Pontedera, 3 train stops away, mainly to see the Piaggio Museum … a Vespa company museum. Piaggio have made vespas, planes, trains, cable cars, mopeds, motorcycles, cars and small vehicles. Family business started in the 1880s. Vespas added to the designs/production in 1945. There are some models of the items in display featured and detailed on the website.

We did a walk through the town before the museum visit, had a coffee and cake. A Farmacia sign says that it’s 40degrees.

After the museum more walking around Pontedera, but it’s not particularly interesting. Note how the town comes alive after 4pm, people walking in the cool of the evening, meeting up, chatting, drinking at the cafes and gelaterias.

Try finding a place that will serve dinner early… impossible before 7pm or 7.30pm. At 6.30 We opt for pizza slices at a pizzeria (all the pizzas are finished and on display… choose the pieces you want and they’ll heat them up)

Note that it’s now 34 degrees.

Catch the 7.30pm train back to home base.

Relax in the garden area in the long dusk (till after 9pm).

There is an apricot tree growing in the garden. This morning we picked up about 2kg of fruit that had fallen off overnight and more this evening. They get a bit bruised from hitting the ground but they are soooo sweet.

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17th June

A relaxed afternoon - lunch, drinks and dinner - in La Spezia. The train trip was a little longer than previous trips, taking us closer to the mountains that are the backdrop to many of the places we have been to recently, including Navacchio.

We now realise what we thought may have been ice or snow is actually marble and marble mines. We passed by marble processors in a few of the towns the train stopped at.

In La Spezia we walked the harbour promenade and climbed stairs to the old fort for views of the town and harbour, then found the lifts (coming back down to the main street was easier at least).

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12w

Just so much to take in, thank goodness for phones and camera's

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11w

Enjoy, Kayleen and Paul

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16th June

A lazy day. We decide not to go out on a long journey today as we have plans for tonight. So it’s an housework day (washing and shopping) and relax a bit before going out to Pisa for their Luminara of San Ranieri. 70000 wax candles are lit and mounted onto wooden frames that have been pre mounted to the buildings along the river.

There is time for dinner and a walk and drinks before it’s dark enough to see the effect of all the candles. Before dark we see some of what it takes to get all these candles lit and in place before sunset. They start putting them into place at 3 pm. All the cranes (1 for every 2 buildings) in the region must be employed here.

The crowd grows and the party atmosphere intensifies. The drinks and food are being sold on the footpath at some venues.

We didn’t walk as far as the leaning tower this time but learned later that it is lit with oil lamps.

We bailed before the fireworks, wanting to catch a less crowded (10.30pm) train.

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15th June

Train to Viareggio. Along the ‘esplanade’ Palm trees and fancy hotels, bike and pedestrian ways remind us a little of Los Angeles. The beach is not easily accessible though.

We walk to the harbour wall to look along the beach covered in umbrellas as far as the eye can see, set against a mountain range that looks to have snow or ice on some peaks.

There a more than a few luxury cruisers in the harbour and coming and going.

Time to get to the beach: We head to a well rated Bagni, Quilghini (operating since 1860 and 4th generation of the family now operate it). All of the Bagni are businesses that operate umbrella rental, snack bar/cafe/restaurant and change rooms. We paid 27euro to ‘rent’ an umbrella and deck chairs and sun lounge and part of the beach for the day. We spend a couple hours on the deck chairs, take a couple of dips. The water is knee deep. Venders wander through selling kites, sunglasses, hats, even massages.

Then rinse, change and take a walk before coming back to Quilghini snack bar for lunch and time over cool drinks.

When we finally decide to move we walk a distance along the ‘esplanade’, away from the harbour. This ‘esplanade’ goes for many kilometres with Bagnis and their restaurants on the beachside. Behind them are stores, cafes, restaurants and gelatarias facing the ‘esplanade’ made up of a very wide walking space where restaurants and cafes can set out their tables, a strip of garden/grass, bike path, a 2 way street, and a smaller footpath in front of hotels.

Dinner. After ordering we wait a long while, then finally ask about our meal. Order didn’t make it to the kitchen. When dinner does arrive at the table we gulp it down quickly and ask for the bill before we are finished so that we can get up and run to catch our train.

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14th June

A day off. To ease our aching legs after yesterday - give them some horizontal direction.

We thought about going to the beach today but it’s Sunday and probably extra extra busy like our beaches are on a weekend. It is now school holiday time here, too, so they’ll probably be busy enough any day.

We took a walk across town (Navacchio) to check out the shopping mall (about the size of the Aspley Hypermarket). Had a coffee. Walked home via a LiDL store ( like ALDI).

Discussed the state of Italy, especially in non-tourist areas… overgrown, broken, unkempt, littered and some things that don’t make sense. And it not just the old abandoned buildings. For example, today we walked through a carpark that looked quite new but its accesses were closed off from the road, it looked totally unused, its surrounds were overgrown, and it didn’t connect to any building/business/park/station.

May be an image of road and text that says 'A4 McDonald's'

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13th June

We train to Lucca for the day. Spend the day in the old city. Walk the earth mound walls, 4.2km, that surround the old city. Meander the streets and piazzas, looking into shops and churches. Have lunch at a restaurant on the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, a piazza that is built over a colosseum arena. Kay tried a traditional pasta called testaroli, served with truffle and butter and Parmesan cheese.

We walk on, admiring stores and piazzas. A brass band comes marching along a street and turns into the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. As we try to continue our walk we bump into bands playing on various street corners and small piazzas.

A gelato stop.

A rest and relax stop back up on the wall in the shade and breeze.

A drinks stop (mocktail for Kay and Iced tea for Paul), that come with a mixed platter, at a restaurant on the wall.

We decide that the snacks can be dinner, so abandon the idea of having a formal dinner before we head home. And wander back to the station to catch the 7.15 train to Pisa. Wait till 9.00pm for trim to Navacchio. Home base for jam toast and a cup of tea (Kay).

We have walked over 20km today. And apparently only 28 degrees

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Georgia Emily

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Those old buildings are gorgeous!

20km!! Wow that’s almost a half marathon! Looks like you’re enjoying it though

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12th June

A stay-at-home day. Our morning was spent catching up with family, washing and trip planning.

We walked to coffee and the grocery store in Navacchio before (late by Aussie standards) lunch at our place.

A bit more relaxing and planning after lunch. There is a pleasant breeze today and, the days heat starts to ease, we take a walk, mostly along a cycle path, out of Navacchio onto the next village of Zambra, across the Arno River and into Camprona. Camprona has some pretty streets. We catch smells of jasmine and may be other flowers along the way. Cherry plum trees are growing along part of rhe bikeway. The red ones are ripe and sweet. We see men at work in their small crop gardens, a laden apricot tree, a small corn crop close to Navacchio, cyclists, walkers, views of the mountains, and an old tower above and behind the town of Camprona. We try to find a bar in Camprona and Zambra and only see one that is not so inviting. So it’s back to our place for beer and chips in the back yard before cooking simple pasta for dinner.

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11th June

A day trip to Pisa. 10 minutes by train from where we are staying at Navacchio. With train (union) strikes we had to dodge cancelled trains. It meant we had an unplanned light snack dinner in Pisa, but at least we made it back to home base.

Pisa’s main feature is, of course, its leaning tower which is the bell tower for the older church, the baptistery, wall and the Campo Santo monumental cemetery. Interesting history as always. Then the older streets and piazzas of Pisa are scattered with pretty Tuscan scenes, Tuscan colours, cafes, restaurants, galleries,markets,churches, and (old) facades of family homes/palaces/dedicated buildings turned residential or commercial.

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10th June

A travel day. A relax day. Train from Florence to Navacchio where we have accommodation through the Home Exchange program. Cheaper than Florence as a base to explore Pisa and some coastal towns/cities.

Our hosts met us at the train station and gave us an orientation of the town. Then we settle in. Take a walk to the grocery store, relax and read. As it gets a bit cooler (6.30pm) we take a longer walk about the town before dinner… a platter, with the cheese and salami left by our hosts, and bread and tomatoes that we purchased.

The only photos today are of our backyard. We are in a terrace house. There is nothing stunning about Navacchio.

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You have put Paul to work there,hope it's a gooddrop

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9th June

Some time out this morning to talk with various folk back home and a laid back afternoon.

We search out the La Nerbone food market cafe and find it just as it is closing.

Sit for a coffee nearby. Stumble across Merdici Crypt so in we go… more famous art and a portion of the Merdici family story.

Dinner at Osteria Dei Pazzi, as recommended. Then to a nearby bridge to catch some of our last sunset in Florence.

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8th June

Boboli gardens which are the gardens of (and behind) the Pitti Palace. We don’t visit the Palace as, like many attractions, it is closed on Mondays. We do walk past the front of it also.

Next stop: Basilica Di San Miniato. There are daily church services and Gregorian chants by the monks each day. We have found 3 different times advertised, including on the door do the church. So we are early and fill the time with a wander about the cemetery, a look in the church, a walk up the road to a little park ( grove of

trees), a walk down to the San Salvatore church. Then back to the SAN Miniato to wait for the service to begin.

Not nearly as impressive as we expected.

Back to the hilltop bar just a little further down the hill near the Michelangelo Piazzale for drinks and pizza. We don’t wait for the sunset though and head back to home base.

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Sorry. Did you go down into the cript and follow the process into the yard. Maybe it is different

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7th June

Slow morning, Over morning tea of coffee and croissants, we consider how we are going to spend the day. Kay had noted earlier that the Gallarie dell ‘Academia was not too busy. It’s still ‘less busy than usual’ so we decide to try buying tickets at the door. … today entry is free! The crowd is just starting, no long line up.

Michelangelo’s marble statue of David is the attraction but there are many paintings, from famous artists and dating back to 14th century.

After late lunch we head off to the

Michelangelo piazza that is a lookout, across the river and up a hill. There is a bronze statue of Michelangelo’s David and a few market stalls at the piazza. Just one level down from the piazza is a little wine bar - we take a seat with beer and aperol spritz, then a beer and lemon soda and pizza while we wait for sunset. It starts at about 8.45 and the painted sky lasts till well after 9. We start our way down the hill before it gets too dark to see the stairs, stopping to take more pics of the orange glow over the city. We also find a gelato store on the to home base for cherry gelato.

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6th June

We train to Florence, arriving about 10.45am. We wander our neighbourhood…. And a little beyond. Florence seems so compact - so much to see in a short distance from where we are staying. We have the Piazza Duoma with its cathedral Di Santa Maria del Fiore at one end of our street and the Piazza Della Santissima Annuziata at the other.

Florence also seems very sensually vibrant- as well as the building expressing the age of Florence, there are musicians and artists everywhere sharing their talents, then there are restaurants and bars and gelatarias attracting the crowds. And church bells.

‘Just meandering’ finds us various piazzas, the river Arno and pont Vecchio. Ponte Vecchio a bridge with jewellery stores and houses. We visit a Leonardo Da Vinci experience/museum.

For dinner we seek out the recommended ‘Il Profeta’ restaurant famous for John Travolta pasta. Signature dishes (made famous by celebrities I suspect, rather than what they cost ‘to make’) are very expensive. We paid 44euro for 6 pieces of pasta (the John Travolta pasta). The sauce was pretty damn amazing though! According to the restaurant owner this pasta is so good that we will never be able to leave Italy. So, Now we have to stay in Italy!

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We found a church with grekco chanting, magical

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The work and you can eat and
drink something eh?

Wonderful florence. So much eye candy, it can be overwhelming.

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5th June

Today we had a rest day. Breakfast, as always on this tour, was provided so we had to be up for breakfast. Did some emails, computer stuff. It’s cool and cloudy till lunch time. Ventured out to enjoy our cheese and ham platter (purchased in Cortona a couple days ago) in the pergola. Then spent time by the pool… (why don’t we get to do this at home?) …my idea of what a real holiday should include!

Tonight, we help to prepare our dinner… a group cooking class, 4 courses including pappardelle pasta. Our last (tour) group dinner together.

We enjoy one more Tuscan country sunset at 8.30-8.45pm - the days are getting longer.

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I look forward to Paul's homemade pasta next time we do dinner.

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4th June

Travel to a very little village called Castellina in Chianti region. A walk around the village, a coffee and visit the fort. There are more grapes and forest in this area.

On to wine tasting and lunch at the Querceto De Castellina winery. Bruschetta, pasta and ragu, choc and almond cake. Sangiovese and Merlot grapes/wines.

A little time to relax before dinner in Cortona… more pasta and wine. Our guide at dinner works for a wine club (so knows wine) so we tried another grape variety (Nebbiolo) from a different area of Italy. The pasta was served with a shot glass of vodka with a chilli in it. Waiter instructions, ‘Take a sip, then add to the pasta, stir it in.’

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It all looks so beautiful!

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Enjoy

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3rd June

A day to ourselves but the taxi bus provides a lift into Cortona for lunch (10am to 2 pm). We visit the museum…

The museum is set inside one of the most important palaces of Cortona: Palazzo Casali. Originally, this building was the house of the Casali family, who were the lords of Cortona from 1325 to 1409.

We have a pizza lunch.

Back at the villa we relax and read by the pool.

Pick up for dinner at 7pm for dinner in Cortona,

We had a set menu… 3 to 4 courses. Roast veg and hummus appetiser, white beans in a bun pocket, a ricotta bruschetta. Two mains, both simple but soooo tasty. One was beef with salt and rosemary cooked to perfection and melt in your mouth, the other chicken breast, sliced with Parmesan.

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Andrew Patty

Awesome stuff!! Just letting you know that I can’t reply or send on Messenger. I can receive messages. Maybe WhatsApp for messages at the moment?

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Kayleen Thompson is with Paul Thompson.

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2nd June

Another day trip - to Pienza and Montepulciano.

Old walled villages above the (breathtaking views of) valleys below.

Today’s real treat was a wine tasting with antipasto lunch… aaaamaaazing!! First, the place itself was amazing … down into what looked like dungeons. Pienza is the home of Pecorino cheese (from sheep milk). Wild boar salami is also a popular meat here.

Paul and I found a very ornate coffee shop, Caffe Poliziano, for an espresso.

Dinner in Cortona again, accompanied with more local Syrah wine. But, first, Prosecco at a jewellery store in the working areas of a palace … in the wine making, olive pressing, cheese storing and pantry areas.

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Ali Cowie

Fabulous!

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Stunning

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1st June

Bus trip to San Gimignano and Sienna.

Medieval towns ( built on even older communities). So many stories! So much history! And more churches.

There was a storm as we left Sienna so arrived back at the villa wet, but the clouds made for a glorious sunset.

Dinner was at the Villa tonight.

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Carol Vertigan

Looks gorgeous. Hope you’re having a fabulous time. X

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Fred Derf

Loved those little hill towns!

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31st May.

A day trip to Cortona with personal guided tour of the village, starting at the top of the hill with a church dedicated to Margherita. And another church on the way down into the village. 12th walls and city gates.

There is a medieval fair happening in town today. Pizza lunch. Some free time to meander the streets and allies and take in more of the views and another church.

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Marlene G Harch

Beautiful churches and I pray that they are full to the brim on Sunday’s

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Lyn Gurtner

Looks amazing Kayleen!

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30th May

A travel day. Train to Cortona, where we are staying at the Rosa Dei Venti. We are part of a tour group of 8. The others are 4 American ladies and 2 Canadian ladies. We have our own 1 bedroom cottage. After settling into our rooms we enjoyed time at the pool. Were taken to Cortona for dinner at Tonino restaurant where we sat on a terrace overlooking the valley below the town of Cortona. A full moon topped the evening.

It’s a 7 day food tour. So, warning, we may mention food! Pasta is a separate course here (first course), meat is the second or main course. Before first course is Antipasto, then salad (may be served separately or as a side to the main course). Dessert is, of course, dessert. Yes, 5 courses. But we usually only eat 2 or 3 of the 5.

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Kerrie Thompson

Sounds great!

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Enjoy it all ,let's face it you usually have to cook it yourself, so 1 course is enough at home, only 5 ks a day when you get home

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Seems my post of 29th May is missing Here’s another

Walk to the Borghese gardens. The Borghese art gallery has no more tickets available for today

Just Happen across THE actual equestrian event that is happening this week - it is taking place in this park and we are able to sit and watch for a while. It’s an international event and we watch 3-4 countries compete in one of the events.

Further along we come across a pianist (and trumpet player) entertaining people at the viewing platform. Views of Rome, including the Vatican, piano music and … then… a jet flyover. We heard jets fly over yesterday but couldn’t see them … when Paul looked it up he found that the equestrian event was on (are the jets for that), and National Day celebrations (are the jets practicing) happen next week.

On to lunch… pizza from a fast pizza shop.

And to catch the On/Off Big Bus…. Had to climb the Spanish steps again

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Big Bus tour circuit.. we ended this at the Vatican stop and crossed over the river to Vatican City, walked to the space in front of the basilica.

Crossed back to Rome and stopped for a sit with cold drinks. Walked back to apartment via various streets … and older streets and piazzas. To dinner - meander to a street of restaurants and choose MAS restaurant.

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Kayleen Thompson is with Paul Thompson.

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May 28th

As mentioned in Paul’s post, today was all about the Colosseum. It was easy to spend over 4 hours at the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. So many layers of history here. And the mention of so many names we’ve heard of.

May have stayed longer but it was at least 34 degrees today. Crazy to see so many tourists wearing no hats and carrying no water. We drank beyond what we carried and were grateful for the water sellers and their iced water.

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Marlene G Harch