Lake Como || Travel diary

June 18 (Travel day 50/71)

Unfortunately we arrived in Lake Como when I was still feeling very sick which distracted from my appreciation of the beauty of the location. On our first day I spent most of the day watching YouTube in bed while enduring coughing fits. We had average kebabs for dinner.

June 19

On our only full day in Lake Como we enjoyed a lazy, relaxing day.  I was still feeling very sick and tired so we didn't venture far, but the nearby lake and shopping district were impressive enough that we didn't feel the need to exert ourselves. 

We walked around shopping district of Como and around the central shores of the lake. Taking in the idealistic scenery, fancy houses, interesting monuments and well dressed dog walkers.

We know people back home who run a lake weed harvester company, so this photo is for them.

 

We ate at an Italian cuisine restaurant later that evening. Chris had pizza and I had pasta near the main town square. Chris said best pizza he's ever had, so since I was already sick (I'm lactose intolerant and it gives me cold like symptoms if I eat cheese) I had a piece and it really was delicious. We retired back to our hostel to watch movies for the evening.

On this occasion we booked our hostel earlier than most, which meant that we got rooms at the Busabout drop-off point, unfortunately of all the people on our bus, we were the only ones who were able to get a room. The other Busabouters were staying at accommodation on the other side of the lake which meant we were a bit isolated from the group and got a bit lonely. In hindsight it was probably best to isolate myself from social activities while being sick, but it kind of sucked at the same time.

So instead on our last day we re-walked around the shores of lLake Como. We had originally planned to use this day to travel to Milan but that proved too much work while I was unwell and we left it too late. 

June 20

Travel from Como to Lauterbrunen

Quick Summary (TL;DR)

Duration of stay: 2 nights
Was it enough time?: Not really, especially since I was sick. I would have loved to have visited Milan and explored the hills surrounding the lake if we had more time.
Where we stayed: 
Time of Year: June
Best memories: Relaxing and spending one on one time with Chris in a gorgeous spot.
Worst memories: Feeling unwell AGAIN!
Top tip: It is easy to catch public transport from Lake Como to Milan, so take a day trip.
Next time:I would explore further and take a day trip to Milan.
Lake Como in a few words: Relaxing, Tranquil, Rejuvenating
Recommended?:Yes, I would holiday here again.
Overall experience: 6/10, the place was great but being sick wasn't.
Next destination: Lauterbrunen, Switzerland

Monaco || Travel diary

17 June 2014 (Travel day 49)

On our third day in Nice we took the train over the visit Monaco for the day. We arrived in the Monaco train station and the difference between where we got on the train in France and were we got off was already startling. It was a very fancy train station with polished marble walls and floors. Not the usual for European train stations in my experience.

 For those of you who know Chris, he is a big petrol head and loves his cars. So as we exited the train station he suddenly got all excited and I had no idea why. He had instantly recognized the road we had come across as part of the Monaco F1 Grand Prix road race which he has both watched on TV and played on racing games. It was an unexpected novelty for him that was completely lost on me. Even though the race was not happening while we were visiting, you can still see the red and white striped ripple strips (on the left side of photo)

Most of our time in Monaco was spent admiring the expensive cars, expensive yachts, expensive buildings and beautiful vistas. There is certainly a lot of wealth here.

 

 We followed Chris's nose as he had a vague idea where some of the sites were just from playing video games. We walked up the hill and found a Casino which was surrounded by more fancy people and their fancy cars. Plus a few nosey tourists like ourselves. We attempted to have a look around the casino but got denied due to the dress code. Chris wasn't allowed in due to him wearing shorts and sneakers. So I had a quick squiz inside and then rejoined him outside.

 We walked the immaculately clean streets as the sun went down and the city lights came on. Spotting exotic cars as they roared past.

Quick Summary (TL;DR)

Duration of stay: An afternoon
Was it enough time?: Yes, we couldn't afford to stay the night.
Where we stayed: Back in Nice
Time of Year: June

Best memories: Looking out at the majestic ocean views from the hillsides and walking hand in hand with my "under-dressed" husband
Worst memories: Getting denied from the Casino
Top tip: Even if it is hot as balls, wear light weight pants and dress shoes

Next time: We would time our trip to watch the Rallye Monte-Carlo
Monaco in a few words:Wealth, Luxury, Exclusive
Recommended?: Yes, worth a day trip to see how the 1% live. We wouldn't bother paying the crazy hotel prices there though when it is so easy to travel from Nice.
Overall experience:7/10
Next destination: Nice, France

Nice || Travel diary

June 15 (Travel day 47)

We arrived in Nice on a beautiful sunny day, we strolled the promenade and longed to get into the blue waters, I'm not sure why we didn't. We went and got a quick lunch and walked around the central district. Though for some reason we didn't take many photos.

The view from our room

On our second day in Nice I started feeling quick sick.... AGAIN... damn bus cough. So I spent most of the day in bed regretting that I had not made the most of the beautiful sand and surf the day before. Chris hung out by himself around the city centre but didn't take any photos to show here. He enjoyed the city but wasn't compelled to do much without me.

On our third day in Nice we took the train over to Monaco. Follow this link for my blog post about our time there.

We woke up the next morning to travel to Lake Como. I was still feeling very sick. :(

Quick Summary (TL;DR)

Duration of stay: 3 nights
Was it enough time?: For our circumstances, no. As I was sick and so didn't get to actually see much of this beautiful place.
Where we stayed: Can't remember sorry, will update if I can find the info
Time of Year: June
Best memories: During our stay in Nice we visited Monaco while I was briefly feeling better, so that is the best moment, although not actually in Nice itself
Worst memories: Lying in my hostel room feeling sorry for myself
Top tip: Be prepared for topless sun bathers, there were a lot of them throughout the European beaches we visited.
Next time: I would explore more
Nice in a few words:Nice, beach, relaxing
Recommended?: Yes

Overall experience:5/10, only due to me not experiencing as much of Nice as I would have liked.
Next destination: Lake Como, Italy

Florence: A Scenic Fiat 500 Tour and Scientists || Travel Diaries

Florence (Travel day 44)

June 12 (Day 1)

Shortly after our bus arrived in Florence we went on a walking tour of the city, which is one of the best ways to get to know a new place.

We stopped to admire the beautiful and intricately detailed Duomo di Firenze (Florence Cathedral) which we entered later in our visit. Which is interesting and unique from all angles.

We walked past an outdoor replica of the Michaelangelo's statue of David in Plazzo della Signoria

Then we ventured down through a walkway next to the Uffizi Gallery admiring the monuments of the influential people of history with ties to Florence, such as Galileo and Michaelangelo.

The hallway then opened out onto the river revealing the most photographed and well known bridge in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio. With it's shops and stalls seemingly precariously balanced on either side.

We then went into a small leather tanning studio to learn all about the process of working with leather, all the while getting a sales pitch by one of the workers who was demonstrating their fine craft.

As all good tours should end, we went out for drinks with some of our newly made friends afterwards. We opted for the taped keg of beer with a firework on-top, as you do.

On our walk back to our hostel we came across a wall with money taped to it, not sure what that was all about, but it looked pretty cool.

On our second day in Florence it was raining, so we took the opportunity to do some indoor activities such as look inside the Duomo and admire it's painted dome.

We opted not to walk around the second level (closer to the dome) due to the line being outside and very wet. Poor old sods, I hope it was worth it.

Random sign graffiti 

We later went out for Florentine steaks for dinner and limoncello with friends.

On our final day in Florence, it was a beautiful day, and good thing too, as we took a scenic Fiat 500 tour to various locations through the Tuscan countryside. Chris got to drive us about in an original 1950's Fiat 500 and we made a convoy with our other tour mates who were also in Fiat 500's and a Vespa scooter. We surely turned some heads as we drove through the narrow winding lanes (only big enough to fit a car of this size) on our way to picturesque vineyards, monasteries and scenic lookout locations.

Look at that smile. Chris relished this experience, finding it very novel to drive such an iconic and tiny car in a place so fitting. While also constantly using the wrong hand to reach for the gear stick, and instead hitting the car door.

Our first stop was at the Basilica San Miniato al Monte which is a church sitting a hill overlooking central Florence.

As we entered we could hear the haunting chanting of a robed monk who was swinging around incense behind the partition. This helped to make the feeling within the church all the more impactful.

Our sweet ride

We then took a winding drive over to another picturesque vista to see where a group of cloistered monks live and work.

Then stopping to see and sample some of the vineyard grapes and olive groves we have been passing through.

Our last stop on the tour included shaved meats, cheese platters and wine tasting. Mmmm.

So tiny!

After our tour had finished we made a quick stop to the Galileo Museum and took a quick pic with David.

Quick Summary (TL;DR)

Duration of stay: 3 nights
Was it enough time?: Yes, we ticked everything off our list
Where we stayed: Can't remember sorry

Time of Year: June
Best memories: Taking the Fiat 500 tour, it was a novelty to drive about in such tiny cars but the locations we visited were also brilliant 
Worst memories: Leather tanning demo a.k.a sales pitch
Top tip: Get out of the city into the Tuscan countryside. You won't regret it.

Next time: Eat and drink at more small family run restaurants
Florence in a few words: Influential, Tuscan, Delicious
Recommended?: Yes
Overall experience:8/10, the museums were nothing to boast about but the Fiat tour made up for it.
Next destination: Nice, France