Florence and where-ever.

[Anna]

Today we chose to visit the Pantheon

Once when I was there, I overheard an American drawling to her husband "so this is the Parthenon" :shock:

 

[JessicaTam]

Great TR!! Loving the information and "pointers" along the way. Will have to check this out myself in August.... I can't live without my coffee

Thanks. I was surprised at how good a coffee could be. There was also a steady stream of locals passing through. The bar had 3 machines, each with 4 heads/outlets, so they get super busy - but not when we were there.

Yum! Should have pointed you to a nice restaurant in Rome, the owner loved me when I took in a few groups of people

We have either been cooking ourselves or eating at what ever-was local. We have had some great meals and some shockers.

Once when I was there, I overheard an American drawling to her husband "so this is the Parthenon" :shock:

There are, like, a few, like, Americans, like, around the place.*

*stereotyping intentional, as it is only the stereotypes who stand out from the rest.

 

[blackcat20]

OT but I've emptied my inbox Miss Tam.

 

[Blinky]

Glad you enjoyed Florence JT, and particularly the Uffizi. It was one of the highlights of our whole trip last year.

 

[JessicaTam]

Glad you enjoyed Florence JT, and particularly the Uffizi. It was one of the highlights of our whole trip last year.

It was indeed a highlight. Now to plan another trip for a second visit...

 

[codash1099]

It was indeed a highlight. Now to plan another trip for a second visit...

You need a second (and perhaps third and fourth) to see everything Florence has to offer, and that's before venturing into the surrounds. I love the place.

 

[amaroo]

Florence is spectacular....also very close to beautiful Siena!

 

[Fifa]

Loving it thanks JessicaTam.
You are making me feel like I am on holiday too!

(and how I'd love one, or two, or three of those delish looking cakes!)

 

[erkpod]

I'm catching up on TRs now I've finished mine - good work. Love all the train pics.

I'm doing Europe & the UK via AUH in June

 

[rogerkambah]

They were yelling all the time in the Sistine Chapel when I was there. Yet go into the Basilica and it's a free for all.

The Sistine Chapel was a free for all in September 2012, so when in Rome..........

 

[Pushka]

The Sistine Chapel was a free for all in September 2012, so when in Rome..........

Free for all as in take as many photos as you want. . No one yelling at you to stop taking them unlike the Sistine Chapel.

 

[JessicaTam]

We boarded the ferry to be escorted to our room. Two beds and a small shower toilet. The restaurant (loosely termed) opened a bit after 8 so we had some pasta and (cold) veggies. I think the chef (again, loosely termed) cooked dinner at about lunch time.




Our first view of Mt Etna.

Catania Day 1

We are not sure but may have seen a glow through the clouds later that evening. The walk from the port was quite long - we were the only walk-ons on the ferry, and it does not seem to be laid out for pedestrians. We eventually found our way to our accommodation.

Our room at B&B and Design was quite funky with some retro art and furniture. The bathroom was at the end of the hall, and was for our exclusive use. We dropped our bags and went for a walk. There is a daily street fruit/veg market just down the street; lots of yummy food on offer.

The street market

Catania Day 2

We caught a ubiquitous hop-on-hop-off bus and had a great tour of the city. We got off at the Bellini Gardens and had a stroll through, before looking for some lunch.


They knew what day it was!

By mid afternoon we were walked out, so headed back to the B&B to collect our bags and jumped on the 457 bus (€1 each) to the airport. Checkin and the security check were straight forward with my first pat down in a while. :-|

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

You need a second (and perhaps third and fourth) to see everything Florence has to offer, and that's before venturing into the surrounds. I love the place.

We have just finalised our accommodation in a sc apartment in Florence for July for 7 nights at Borgo La Croce, close to Mercato San'Ambrogio - very much looking forward to it as our first visit to Florence was 6 years ago and ony for 3 days, this time we hope to do it at a more leisurely pace and also do some day trips as well. The apartment is about a 15 minute walk into the centre of Florence. Our first week will be in Varenna/Lake Como.

 

[JessicaTam]

Welcome to Air Malta


Maybe I need to change my username.


Our ride.

Our flight was 35 minutes and we reached a cruising altitude of 15,000 feet for about 20 of them. Our approach to MLA seemed the longest part of the flight, as we had to fly past the island before turning for our final. Pity it was night. I am looking forward to the return flight in the daylight: 2 window seats please.

A €20 fixed price taxi ride to the Bayview hotel, and we were checked into our apartment. Most taxis don't have meters, and those that do are broken or not in use. The country (yep 400,000 people make up this country) has some fixed price taxi runs, and the hotels and airport have a list of what the charges should be.

I may have mentioned that the road rules in Italy are best described as "optional". Well. I think that the road markings and street signs in Malta could best be described as "decoration". We spent more time on the other side of the road for the trip to the hotel than I thought was necessary, and I don't think I have been in a vehicle that has stopped at a stop sign yet!


Our digs.

We are in a two bed apartment in the Bayview Hotel (actually just up the road) for €150 for the three nights.

 

[blackcat20]

Welcome to Air Malta

View attachment 25595
Maybe I need to change my username.

You could join us Cats....

 

[Flashback]

Finally got time to look for this and have a read - it's my project for the weekend, so thanks in advance for the TR!

 

[JessicaTam]

Loving it thanks JessicaTam.
You are making me feel like I am on holiday too!

(and how I'd love one, or two, or three of those delish looking cakes!)

Why stop at three?

I'm catching up on TRs now I've finished mine - good work. Love all the train pics.

I'm doing Europe & the UK via AUH in June

Hate to disappoint, but that is it for the trains.

Free for all as in take as many photos as you want. . No one yelling at you to stop taking them unlike the Sistine Chapel.

Sometimes the shushing was louder than the people talking.

We have just finalised our accommodation in a sc apartment in Florence for July for 7 nights at Borgo La Croce, close to Mercato San'Ambrogio - very much looking forward to it as our first visit to Florence was 6 years ago and ony for 3 days, this time we hope to do it at a more leisurely pace and also do some day trips as well. The apartment is about a 15 minute walk into the centre of Florence. Our first week will be in Varenna/Lake Como.

Enjoy, although I think there may be a few more tourists at that time of year.

You could join us Cats....

We have enough trouble herding the ones we have.

Finally got time to look for this and have a read - it's my project for the weekend, so thanks in advance for the TR!

Hopefully easier reading than the Feb 27 thread!

 

[JessicaTam]

Malta

Day 2

After a very pleasant sleep in we headed out for coffee and to the hop-on hop-off bus. Low season price was €17 and we were off. The commentary was fairly comprehensive as we headed through Valetta and then to the northern half of the island. We got off twice; once at the aviation museum for an hour and then for two hours in Rabat. The aviation museum was interesting with quite a few restored aircraft, and some in various states of restoration. Entry was €6 and I picked up a book on the museum only to have it signed by the author who happened to be the ticket seller.

We spent some time in Rabat as we delved underground to the catacombs and WWII shelter under St Paul's Church as long as the grotto. It is believed that St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta about 60AD, and spent some time where the church now stands.

By the time we got back on the bus it was the last one for the day, so there were no more side trips to be had. All up the bus ride was 3 hours, so very good value.


A Link Trainer - perhaps a cheaper option than running the A380 and B747 simulators?


BAE Sea Hawk


De Havilland Vampire


Tiger Moth


Supermarine Spitfire

 

[markis10]

View attachment 25640
A Link Trainer - perhaps a cheaper option than running the A380 and B747 simulators?

Wow, that brings back memories. There are a stack of working ones across the AAFCs in Australia, 426SQN at LTV has the recently restored (2003) RAAF serial A13-136 .

 

[JessicaTam]

Malta Day 3

Today we had breakfast in the hotel cafe. It is surprising how inexpensive Malta is. I have not yet done the comparison with wages, though, so it may all be relative.


This is what €4.95 look like


Just in case you missed it on the plate, this truck was parked outside.

We caught the water taxi across to Valetta (€2.80 return) and had a good walk around the wall that kept 48,000 Turks out for over a year in 1565. The city was held by 8,000 men.


Significant structures


The logo looks a bit familiar

We stopped for coffee across the street from St Paul Shipwreck Church, which we then proceeded to have a look, and it was "worth a visit"*.


Some of the street are a little steep.

We caught the ferry back to Sliema and headed out to dinner. We got takeaway pasta from Basilico's, and had a glass of wine each while we waited. 2x pasta and 2x wine and we still managed change from €20. My cajun chicken pasta was delicious - and a little spicy.

*In joke that will become clear should you go to St Paul Shipwreck Church