Italy - Summer 2006

Milan - July 17th - 18th

Flew from Madrid to Milan and arrived in the wee hours of the morning. This was a nightmare for transport!!!! But as usual, things just seem to work out, although it blew the budget - not that i'm sticking to one!
Met a lovely couple from America on the Plane and chatted the whole way. The flight went so fast. Got luggage and headed out to catch the Bus from Malpensa Airport to the Central Station. Arrived at about 12.30am to find out the bus may come at 1.40am. Sitting, waiting and then 2 girls from Italy's national basketball team came over to me and said did I want to share a cab into town. I jumped at the chance. They were so lovely. The cab cost 75 Euro's - wow!!! Yes, the airport was 40km out of town. Then at the station the cabby thought it was too unsafe for me too wait there for a 4am bus and I wasn't waiting either - Bed was the only thing on my mind so I caught a cab to Hostel Pierro Rotta. Another 15 Euro's. Should have stayed at a posh hotel with airport tranfers for all this hassle. Finally checked in and slept well, but it was damn hot!
Hit the town the next day. Milan is an exclusive city, but not one I would rush back to. Lots of shopping and lovely parks and night life. Very trendy... As a backpacker, I felt like I didn't quite cut it walking into D&G or Gucci!!!!!





Cinque Terra - A quick stop - one night 19th July
Decided I had to go to this Beautiful and much raved about part of Italia, south west of Milan. The Cinque Terra is a beautiful National Park, surrounded by the sea and amongst this beautiful scenary is small fishing villages. I stayed at Rio Margiorre!!! Again got lucky! Had no accommodation, just a ticket on the train to Monterosso, the first main Village. Lucky enough to sit next a girl from American - Beth, so lovely!!! We chatted the whole trip and she was staying in the town I was headed and had booked accommodation. We went together and they gave me the bed right next to her's. The accommodation was pretty good. We went hiking, sun baked on the rocks and swam in the gorgeous beach, however jelly fish were swarming!!! The views were amazing. Watched the sunset, headed out for seafood that night and then got a bottle of wine and headed down to the beach for a sip and watched the stars.
The views of this town are amazing, as are the photo's!!!! So glad I made the detour! Next stop - Train to Venice - Up at 6am







Venice - July 20th - 22st
Wow! What an amazing City - floating on water, with only boats for transport!!!! Venice is built on 117 Islands with 150+ canals and over 400 Bridges... Very impressive and Romantic especially at night with the lights glistening on the water - but not for me travelling alone :( and there are far too many tourists and packed ferry rides, which didn't go well in the heat. None the less I had a great time, met good people and saw many sights. Didn't go through the tunnel of love on a Gondola, however watched many others...

Stayed in 'Mestre' in a Hotel just out of Venice. Caught the bus, then Ferry into Venice both days. Went along the 'Grand Canal', under the Rialto bridge. Went to Piazza San Marco, shopped and loved being amongst with gorgeous buildings and churches, shops and very narrow streets. Getting lost was inevitable!
After touring the main quarters, I decided to catch the ferry to Murano - The island where Venetian glass is made. Went to a factory to view some glass production and then toured the streets and shops selling the glass. This island was a bit of an anticlimax - Wasn't that exciting for the long ferry ride!!! After this decided to go the the island 'Lido' which is a thin strip of island separating Venice from the Adriatic sea. This is a very fashionable resort. I relaxed here on the beach as the weather was hot! Snuck into the resorts showers, got changed and was drying my hair with the hand dryer thinking I was sweet! - Only to discover I was somehow in the Mens change room and after an Italian guy pointed this out to me, he could obviously see I was not a member so I high tailed it back to the ferry, feeling refreshed though and clean!

Went out to a nice local eatery, which whilst dining alone I got spoilt. Drinks galore and lots of great food for cheap!!! I had fun in Venice and have settled my childhood curiosity and finally lived my dream of going there!!!! Even if it wasn't to be with my knight and shining armour!

Rome - July 22nd - 24th
Rome was just gorgeous - So much history. A city where the old is mixed with the new! It is probably the only Euorpean town where I could possibly live and loved it even more at night.... Spent 3 days here, which was possibly a little rushed.
Toured all the major sights:
First stop was the Colosseum, then the Roman Forum, before heading to the Time Elevator - a cinema with flight simulator that took me through 2750 years and the most important events in Rome History. This gave me more of an appreciation for the city and it's history.
At night I went shopping at one of Rome's most elegant strips, went to Piazza Di Spagna (the spanish steps) where there was a lot of entertainment. Drank water from the boat shaped fountain (the Barcaccia), then headed for Fontana di Trevi (The Trevi Fountain). I did teh custom thing and tossed a coin in. Legend has it that if you do this facing backwards you are sure to head back to Roma one day... we'll see if it works!!!!!
Day two went to join the massive line up to tour the gigantic St. Peter's Basillica (Christiandom's most famous church) in Vatican City. With the square designed by Bernini and the Cupola designed by Michelangelo, it was simply stunning and is big enough to hold 60,000 people. Reaslising it was Sunday after viewing the Basilica, I went to head for the Sistine Chapel, however it was closed. So toured many other major sights and Piazza's, headed to the river at night before heading back to the hostel.
Monday I headed for the Sistine Chapel in the morning before departing from Roma. Lined up for 2 hours with some people I met from the hostel. After starting in the Vatican Museum and viewing many arts and treasure finally came the Sistine Chapel. The art work by Michelangelo was amazing, seeing the Last Judgement is something i'll remember forever.
After this, I headed to the airport and it was off goodbye Roma and soon to be mixing it with the Mafia in Sicily......

Sicily (Mafia Territory) - 24th - 31st July
North West Sicily (Trapani):
Toured Sicily's beautiful coastal lines for 1 week. Arrive at Palermo airport - Sicily's captital. I was well over seeing major cities and monuments at this stage so headed for a small town called Scopello. A town of 45 locals and town main streets. Stayed at a lovely pension (2 nights), recieving home made dinners both nights and breakfast. The dinners were four courses with mains always being the freshest fish caught that day - Swordfish is a must in Sicily! It was yummy!

Swam in Scopello at the old Tuna Factory - Still had the old huge iron anchors and factory to view. The swimming area was packed with tourists, however the water was crystal clear, just like the rest of Sicily's coastlines, with rocky beaches.

Took an afternoon visit to 'Erice' - Medieval mountaintop of fortresses overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The city overlooks the bay of Castellammare del Golfo on Sicily's northern coast, and the views are spectacular! The mountain and town is 750 metres above sea levels and you can see the clounds whizzing by and viurtually touch them!!!!

From here it was off to Zingaro National Park. The weather was relentleslsly hot and there was not much flora and fauna to be seen due to past fires. Walked a track heading straight for the rocky beach with even better waters, again packed by tourists and locals. It was so peaceful just swimming in the Meditteranean.

From here headed North East along the coast:
Drove to 'Cefalu' and stayed for 2 nights - A major Sicily tourist attraction - a definite must for visitors - beautiful crescent shaped beach, the 'rock' in the centre of town, lovely food and trendy streets. The Sicilian people were great - especially when they helped us find our hire car that got towed away!!!!


50 Euros later...... and we were on our way to Eastern Sicily, between Taormina and Cantania to Mount Etna (3350m) to view and climb Europe's largest live volcano and one of the world's most active! It was fascinating to see!





After here headed to Taormina for the night (my favourtie place in Sicily) - Very hip, great shopping and even more beautiful beaches. The town is situated up on the top of a mountain, with spectacular views of the sea and Mt Etna. To get to the beach you could get a cable car, bus or drive to the bottom then walk down the stairs - a bit of a mission but it was worth it!

From here, headed back to a small town near the airport, stayed the night, watched the sunset and caught a cab early Monday morning to Palermo and flew back to London with ryanair....

Overall, the first month of my travels have been amazing - Learnt a few spanish and Italian words, mingle with the locals, ate great food and enjoyed awesome wine. Loved swimming in the salty seas and enjoyed travelling with great people.

5 day break in London and then off again for another month before starting my new job!!!!!

Start of Summer 2006 - Spain

First stop during the summer holidays

Pamplona, Spain for the San Fermin Festival "Running of the Bulls"- July 5th - 8th

What a wild 3 days - Camping with the Fanatics in Pamplona. The festival was massive. I flew from London to Bilbao, Spain on July 5th getting aiport transfers to the Pamplona Campsite "Ezcaba". I was not prepared for camping. No sleeping bag or Mat!!! Bec gave me her Lilo to sleep on - What a friend!!!!Travelling light was the idea and I thought it would be much hotter at night than it was. I froze for 3 nights but the alcohol, late nights and early mornings made it a little easier to cope. Met Bec, Bel, James and Ernie at the Campsite. Murph and Co were also there, however Murph didn´t make it back to the campsite for the first 2 nights - Massive!!!!

The first day of the festival began at 12 noon. The whole town were dressed in traditional gear - White and Red for the whole festival. The first day had everything. I have never seen so many people in one place. Everything was thrown around the town and on our lovely white kits - Sangria, eggs, flour, champagne and shaving cream were thrown just to name a few. I even saw people diving from a 4 metre high statue, putting their faith in the arms of the crowd. A few smashed noses and other injuries were had.

The Running of the bulls began the next day beginning at 8am every morning. The campsites were up at around 5.30am to get into town & ready, either booking a spot in the bull ring arena, or getting to the start of the run!!!!

I booked a spot in the bull ring arena. Great seats. This was so exciting, there was music and mexican waves before it began. I had adrenalin pumping just wathcing everyone scramble!!!

After the morning run, people kept drinking and partying long into the evening and at night the Bull fights were on.

It was such a life time experience and memories that I will never forget!

San Sebastian- 'Donostia' (Basque Country)

July 9th - 12th

Loved San Sebastian - Such a Gorgeous city. Said to be one of the world's most beautiful urban beaches and they weren´t lying!!!!

Trendy seasides, Clean streets, friendly people, great Tapas, Basque cuisine, wine & awesome beaches.

Travelled from Pamplona to San Sebastian with Bel and James. Met Bec and Ernie here. Ernie is from Argentina, so speaks spanish and also now lives in Spain depending on the season. His sister is from San Sebastian. He found us great accomodation in Gros, took us to the best Tapas bars and beaches, and above all translated for us to make it very easy to communicate. Watched the world cup final here, sun baked, swam and sampled many great wines and tapas.

Went to many beaches: Playa de La Concha -famous for it´s perfectly sea shell shape, awesome soft sand and calm waters sheltered by two moutians on either side (Monte Igeldo & Monte Urgull)); Playa de la Zurrioloa -smaller beach with more waves for the surfers. Here I watched Bob Dylan perform a free concert on this beach the night I left for Barcelona. Went to a beach in Getaria -Just out of San Sebastian. Great views, small and secluded. Said to be the winery region.

Last day I toured around, hiked up Monte Urgull, seeing great views over the bay. A lot of history here, with low castle walls and a statue of Christ on the top, which can be seen from anywhere in the city.

Had an awesome few days here and then departed for Barcelona on the overnight train.

Barcelona - July 13th-16th

Arrived in Barcelona alone and checked into Hostel Centre Ramblas where I stayed for 3 nights. Just off the famous La Ramblas street where all the action happens around the clock. Was a little quieter here travelling alone, but meet some great people in the hostel and around the town. Barcelona sits right on the Mediterranean so swimming in the water was a highlight. I just floated - it was so clean and refreshing. I sun baked, working on my tan. The sand was a dark orange shade with little rocks. Not gorgeous sand like in San Sebastian but I have to say the water was better.

I took a tour of Barcelona with Bus Turistic. Here I got an overall feel of the city and hopped on and off when I felt like it. Saw the Olympic Village, Barcelona Football Club, went shopping at Placa Catalunya and also on the street named Ave Diagonal "Francesc Macia". It is an exclusive shopping strip that runs for 10 miles!!!! Barcelona is famous for it´s Modern Archtercture - Thanks to Gaudi´s works of art. Went and saw his famous Catherdral - Gaudi´s dream - "La Sagrada Familla". This is the only Cathedral in the world still under construction and I don´t think it will be finished in a hurry! Walked around Gaudi´s park - "Park Guell", just amazing, so unique and detailed!!!! Went into La Pedrera - Displaying some of Gaudi´s exhibitions in the builiding he built and toured around the period apartment he designed and roof top - modern for it´s day. Walked around Gothic Quarter & El Raval. Ate Seafood Paella, walked around the port, drank Sangria and just strolled La Ramblas getting entertained by all the buskers and acts along the way.

On the beach photo if you look close enough you may see many topless women. It´s all the go on the Mediterranian. Also included Gaudi´s apartment building, me in Park Guell, La Ramblas and Placa Catalunya.

I´m now about to catch the overnight train to Madrid, where I will fly to Milan tomorrow night.

Will post again soon. Adios!!!!!

Madrid - July 16th - 17th

Caught the overnight train from Barcelona to Madrid, thinking I will be flying out of Madrid that night for Milan.... Little did I realise until the train arrived in Madrid that it was Sunday the 16th, not Monday the 17th. I had no accomodation booked and no idea where to head. I found an internet, got the address of the Cat´s Hostel which has been rated one of the top 10 in the world and headed there. I was lucky to get a bed for the night but had to wait til 12pm for check in.

To fill in time I went to the city's main Market "El Rastro" which was huge, but didn´t take my back pack. The guy running the hostel said don´t take anything - they will cut it off you. Got a little scared and paranoid. Any person that ran past I was ready to do kung-fu too!!! I eventually relaxed, checked in, showered and headed for a day of sightseeing. Madrid is a nice, clean city full of trendy cafes, tapa´s bars, parks and gardens. It´s also got lovely historic buildings, monuments, many museums, fountains and flash hotels.

I´m not usually a museum person, however it´s Sunday and they are free Sunday´s so I went and had a look. Went to view Picasso amoung many other talents at the National Museum of Art "Reina Sofia", went to the "Del Prado" museum which also featured Picasso and then went to the Museum "Thyssen Bornemizsa" where I saw Monet and many others. I am glad I went and I really appreciatted their work, detail, inspiration and the history behind their peices.

After the museums I went to the Royal Botanical gardens ´Jardin Botanico´, walked around for a while, grabbed some food and headed back to the hostel. It is an awesome, clean and trendy hostel that I would recommend to anyone travelling to Madrid. Great people here also. Very Sociable.

Madrid is a great place and the weather has been unreal - over 30 degrees everyday! So although seeing the city was good, i´d rather be by the water.

Henley Regatta - The River Thames

Henley Regatta

July 1st & 2nd 2006

Nicole invited Victoria and I (see boat - Left to right) to stay at her boyfriend Steve's mothers house (Anne-Brit) for the weekend in Wargrave for the Henley Royal Regatta held on the river Thames. The house and hospitality was just amazing - such a gorgoeus family!

We would go on the boat all day, watching the Regatta, cruising up and down the Thames River, drinking Pimms and enjoying the atmosphere. Many other boats were on the river with music and parties happening. Elvis even sang at night on a boat passing by. At night we went to bars along the edge of the river, watched fire works and then headed back to Steve´s house for a BBQ and some lovely wine. It was so good we decided to do it all again Sunday and stay over sunday night aswell.

It was a mission to get to work on time in the morning so I went in at 10.30am. They were really good about the late start and It was an awesome weekend.

Very relaxing, gorgeous weather and great people!!!!!!