Italy

We made it to florence - our second last destination and were greated with airconditioned hotel - much beter than our venice experience - if there wasn't so much to see we would have been happy spending time there. But the sights were amazing. The views were remarkable - and could not want a better city to be spending time in. However the line to see *David* was too much for us - so we went on our merry way and saw Ponte Vechio etc.

Took a tour to Pisa as well to see the tower (greatest architectural stuff up ever) and that was a relaxing way to end our time in Florence (as well as seeing some of the Tuscan countryside).

Ice-cream is a stable diet here - it is sooooo good.

Have now arrived in final destination - ROMA.

So much to do and see if you can gain the energy in this heat.

So far we have seen the Colusseum, Pantheon, Piazza Venieza, Spanish Steps, Campo Fiori, and the ruins of ancient rome.

As we only have 3 sleeps left before our trip ends - we want to see as much as we can - but are getting very tired.

Rome is very hot - and fawlty towers does not believe in air con that works - on the positive we do have a small fan that we need to keep on all night because there is no such thing as a cool breeze during the night.

We have discovered living on alcohol is much cheaper than most other fluids.

(Not sure that is a good thing). Pace in Rome is much faster than Venice and florence.

Take care

well things have certainly heated up here.
we arrived by overnight train from Paris which was an experience. Stopped at the swiss border for over an hour with the sniffer dogs searching every carriage - and there were a lot of carriages.
We finally arrived to discover our hotel had been condemned and inhabitable. That was fun, but they had a note on the door recommending a hotel - lucky for us they had one room left - being peak season we were very lucky.
Then off to ATM - it kept returning our card because we wanted more than it was prepared to give us, so we thought we'd be stuck without money - but we
got there.

Saw St Marks square which was really nice - and still trying to work out the big deal about rialto bridge but markets on the bridge were OK.

The nights have been really warm as well. our room has no fan or aircon so sleep was minimal.

The second nite we indulged in a gondola ride - which was so peaceful and relaxing (and romantic) but be prepared for the price (2 nites accom).

We took a ferry ride to Lido and went to the beach there - which was packed and full of really brown people and some very sunburnt ones.

off to florence shortly.
ciao.