Showing posts with label Travel Journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel Journal. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Winter in Mystic Venice



In the recent winter, hubby and I visited Italy again, this time, Venice. We knew we wouldn't find structures as ancient as the ones we saw in Rome, and feared the possibility of aqua alta.  As we stepped foot on the Floating City, everywhere we look, all we could see were canals, boats and bridges; but these altogether render a sight that's so enigmatically beautiful.

From Athens, as there was no direct option to Venice, we took an Easyjet flight that landed in Milan.  From the Malpensa Airport, it took about an hour via Malpensa Express (12EUR/person) to reach Milano Central. From there we took Tren Italia (super economy = 9 EUR/person) and in less than three hours, we arrived at Venezia Santa Lucia station. It was a 12 min walk to our inn called Alloggi Sardegna at Calle del Forno.  I enjoyed our stay there even though it is 20 minutes away from Piazza San Marco (1.7 km). The owner, Maria, who does not speak English, was very warm and cordial.  The double room assigned to us (3 nights =165EUR) has private bathroom, TV and aircon and was kept clean the whole time. The downside is there is no internet service... but that was ok since we were out sightseeing most of the time. Also, there's no subscription for English channels, but luckily, there was Radio Capital , a 24-hour channel playing 60's - 80s music videos, of which we have been big fans since we discovered it in Rome. Breakfast was also included but only with packed shelf breads, but those were ok because we had a choice of cappuccino, americano or macchiato deliciously prepared by Maria each morning. There's a bakery and supermarket nearby should anyone choose to eat warm bread, cold cuts or cheese.
  


  

It is easy to get lost in Venice.  But we didn't, thanks to our smart phones with GPS. But even if we did, there are stunning little bridges and canals that we stumbled upon...


   

Once we found our way out of the winding alleys, it was such a reward to see the famous landmarks  of Venice such as the Piazza San Marco...



   


 

    the palazzos,



and the Grand Canal




best viewed from the Rialto Bridge, and



Ponte dell'Accademia.



We did not ride a gondola and kissed at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs (1600) as the bells of St Mark's tolled, but I'm sure that up to this day, my husband and I still hold the promise of eternal love for each other.




Instead, we walked ashore and cherished the moment together as we sat and relaxed with this view.


As ubiquitous as the gondolas,

   


are the churches in almost every street of Venice. Good thing we were able to visit the oldest ones, like the San Giacomo di Rialto,









  


and San Polo.




While at the Campo San Polo, we found this stall of cold cuts where we bought our dinner and evening snack,
 

and coupled it with white wine and olives from the supermarket.



Of course, we had to splurge a little bit to eat authentic Italian dishes prepared by Italians themselves!


      

and so we thought....

 




 


   
 


  I shouldn't have left my kitchen and prepared my own Italian dish! I should have researched well!

But these desserts, no matter who prepared them, I just love them!

 

 
I found nothing in the city but canals and smelled nothing but salt water, but really, there was a beautiful feeling when I was in mystic Venice with my love.


Saturday, June 20, 2015

Chasing Ruins in EATaly

Owing to the fact that hubby and I are  captivated by ancient structures, and that a week cannot go by without having pasta, pizza or risotto, we included a visit to Italy during our first and second travel to Europe. We went to Rome in spring and Venice in winter.  Whether it's toasty hot, rainy or freezing, there are so many things to do in Italy!

ROME, ITALY (Spring)

1. Visit ancient ruins

When I misspelled Colosseo (70-80AD) in a provincial quiz bee in the late 80s, I swore to myself that I will visit it someday to find out what the fuss is about and why it is included in history books. 23 years later, I stood in front of this magnificent structure and would encourage everyone to visit it in their lifetime despite its gory past.



Close to the Colosseo is the Arch of Constantine (315AD)...


the Imperial Fora, including Trajan's Forum (106-112AD), the last of the Imperial Fora constructed in ancient Rome...




 

                   
and the  Forum of Caesar (46BC). Spare some Euros to visit Julius Caesar's grave inside the foro.


 
 


  


Amidst modern buildings, you will also find other ruins such as the Largo di Torre Argentina (4th-5th century BC) that housed four Roman temples, including Pompeii's theater.



         



Instead of traveling to Pompeii, we visited the harbor city of ancient Rome, Ostia Antica (620 BC). Travel for less than an hour from Ostiense and you will see a vast area of ruins of old houses, bath houses, temples, theater and other structures reflecting the daily life of working class people.







 





  



 

 
 




Make sure you empty your bladder before buying tickets and entering the site since it would take about 30 mins before reaching the rest rooms, not to mention the long queue. Otherwise you will end up with a companion sulking and walking 20 meters ahead of you.

Before you go back to the train station you may want to check out Castello di Giulio II, a medieval castle situated close to Ostia Antica's ticket booth.

 As you reach Ostiense in Rome, you can also check out the Pyramid of Cestius built in 12BC and a few steps from it, the Porta San Sebastiano (275 AD).







Don't miss the ancient building, Pantheon, built in 126 AD, when in the capital.




2. Vatican City

Visit the smallest independent state in the world!


I wanted to see Michel Angelo's painting but I didn't have the patience to join the queue as long as this:


 


Beyond the walls of St. Peter's Basilica, you will find Castel Sant' Angelo (135AD):


Tiber River, and 

Piazza Cavour (1885).


3. Other Landmarks

Make sure to visit other attractions in Rome such as the Spanish Steps (1725), 



Trevi Fountain (1762), 


and the Altar of the Fatherland, built in honor of Vittorio Emanuele II (1925) .



4. Mangiare...

la pasta...


 

 


ravioli...



tortellini, and 


risotto...
  

We didn't have the best pizza but these were ok. 




Have some gelato to cool down your system while strolling under the sun, or..



sip a cup of cappuccino on a rainy day.


Go to the nearest supermarket to check out fruits in season, wine, olives and prosciutto for your evening snack :)


 


5. Listen to Radio Capital
If you happen to stay in a hotel without English channels,  and you are from the 60's 70's and 80's generation, look this up on the cable selection. It plays English songs from those years and will certainly take you back to your childhood days.  The good thing is it is also available online (tivu) so you can tune in anytime if you want to reminisce your Italian sojourn.


Lodging 

We stayed at Hotel Sant' Angelo which is walking distance to Castel Sant' Angelo and the Vatican.
                                                      


Our room is very clean and spacious, not to mention the super friendly hotel staff.


  
 


The area is safe and quiet with supermarkets and restos surrounding it.

   

Bus station to the airport is also very near.