Europe Backpack - From Rome to Venice

 12 Sept 2010 - Rome

It was no joke when I heard from the Italian couple back in Doolin telling us Rome is HOT! It was tiring traveling to Rome, then looking for our hostel. The staff there had a bad attitude; the kitchen opens late and closes after a while; you have to pay internet there, M&J Hostel is the name. Well, that made us hate Italy.

Anyway, once we settled our things, we went sightseeing. Rome is all about ruins, which we got a lot indeed! Visited the Colosseum, Roman forums and the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (too bad we didn't have the time to explore). 

 

Romulus and Remus, legendary founder of the city.

Roman Forums

13 Sept 2010 - Vatican City to Venice

The next day we head out for Vatican City. (missed the pope yesterday...) Visiting St Peter's Basilica, making us visit 2 of 4 major basilica in Rome. (we wandered unknowingly to St Mary Major the day before) We too wandered unknowingly to Trevi Fountain, the largest baroque fountain in the world. Then we head out in the afternoon for Venice.

 St Peter's Basilica

Reaching Venice at night, there is nothing much to see. One thing of note is that there are many Asians there. Again, by 2 companions insisted on eating Chinese food again, so we went to a overpriced Chinese restaurant where the owner charged us with table fees.

14 Sept 2010 - Venice

The next day we took a ride in the ferry for the canals. (cheaper alternative to gondolas) Missed the churches in Venice too, mostly due to the lack of interest of my 2 other companions. In the afternoon, we left for Switzerland! To sum up Italy, we had a bad experience there; but I would go again, especially Rome, and maybe together with Naples in the future.

Venice is about Gondolas, although we did not ride them.

Europe Backpack - The Italian Riviera

9 Sept 2010 - Genova

The journey to Genova is simply beautiful. It's too bad we did not plan to visit Nice and Monaco. But crossing French border to Italy, the feel has not changed at all. Genova. Birthplace of Christopher Columbus, and a huge historical center, and a lot of luxury boats. The architecture is very nice too, many buildings and houses has a courtyard which we can wander into.

Example of luxury boat.

Weapons for sale!!

10 Sept 2010 - Pisa & Florence

Next stop: La Spezia. Here we set a base to visit Pisa, Florence and Cinque Terra. La Spezia itself is a nice place to relax and explore. (Note to myself: must visit in future). Nothing much to say about Pisa and Florence, as the tourist traps are quite standard. But comparing the river of Pisa and Florence:

River of Pisa

River of Florence: Seems better..

At night back at La Spezia, we managed to join in a festival with many performances. After watching, we ate at a Chinese Restaurant where the fried rice is very nice. It seems that restaurant was opened by a couple from China. Knowing no English or Italian, they started a business here in La Spezia.

11 Sept 2010 - Cinque Terra

The highlight for our visit to Italian Riviera: Cinque Terra. First achievement we did there is to hike all the way up a 312m hill with slippers. The view is rewarding, and we wrote our names onto the building on top.

Second achievement: we visited all 5 villages along the coast via train since one of our companion has lousy physical ability and there is toll for tramplers. (He almost gave up and complained and want to go back in 4th village) I had good time!

Near the place where we relax and listened to a street singer singing "Time to say Goodbye". He plays piano while his partner plays flute. Very nice!

Even my low-end camera can take a good picture out of Cinque Terra.

Cinque Terra is also a wine producing country! Too bad we did not taste any.