Escape from Rome to a garden in Tivoli

A very hot day in Rome so jumped on the metro and local bus to Tivoli to visit the famous water gardens Villa d'Este. It was a fabulous day, the house and gardens are spectacular, the best example of 16th century house and garden design in the renaissance style. Got some great ideas for our next garden.

Rome

Have walked all over Rome the last few days. Its loud, busy, noisey and full of tourists as you would expect but the monuments, museums and national treasures are breath taking. We were walking down a back street and came to a four way intersection which had four Bernini fountains, one on each corner...'quartro fontana via'...incredible. I love the fountains in the piazza's, the gelato is too good on a hot day and St Peter's and the Collosseum and Forum amazing feats of engineering and design and the fact they are still standing today after all this time.....its ......incredible. No wonder Rome is so full of tourists. Have noticed a much increased presence of Carbinari around from when I was last here...in the train and metro stations.....all the major sites...I'm sure still a lot of sucessful pick pockets and the street traders selling knock off designer gear are down the back lanes doing good business. Another hot day in Rome, off to explore....some pics of Rome.

We were in the Cinque Terre

Had a great couple of days in the Cinque Terre region. Gorgeous blue waters, more boats parked in the streets than cars, great coastal walks and amazing fresh seafood. Really relaxing place. The area suffered a major flood October 25 last year and they are working hard to repair all the damage. Half of the coastal path is closed due to landslides, so you take a boat for that bit and its beautiful.  Left Monterossa this morning on a 6.20 train to Pisa, then Florence and Rome. Some pics from Cinque Terre and then off to explore Rome

.

The Guggenheim ...from a few days back

The building alone is fantastic, from both the outside and inside. David Hockney exhibit Ok but amazing steel sculpture exhibit....how did the manage to set it up.......incredible. Bilbao was great, relaxed pace, really clean, not super touristy, great parks....worth a visit.

Guess where we are now?

Santander and San Sebastian

Wednesday 23 May 2012

After staying at Comillas and having the sea virtually lapping at the hotel walls we drove on to Santander via the coast road. After driving in wee villages Santander traffic was a bit of a challenge, uber round-abouts, scooters, pedestrians.....eek, we found a parking building and then explored the waterfront by foot...lovely seaside promenade and 26degrees.......lovely.  Then onto to San Seebastian via the autovia and a funny experience with the toll booth.....I'll tell you about it later. Up the funnicular to Mt Igueldo for a really great view of San Sebastian, its a great view from the top. Excellent tapa's and amazing sunset........great being on holiday. Pics of San Sebastian

The Northern coast of Spain

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Off we went from Santiago de Compostela in a rental car to make our way across the northern coast of Spain.........a sea coast after being inland for a few weeks. We will make our way to Bilbao over a few days. Today we explored the Galician coastline, the Cantabria and Asturas bays and coves......wee fishing villages carved into the side of almost sheer cliff faces, great seafood restaurants with seafood so fresh, 16th century churches and really friendly  people.....not heavily touristed so most enjoyable. Stand_outs Playa del Silencio, Cudillaro, Comillas and Luarca.....all beautiful wee coves. Some pics....

Snails anyone?

You get a bit of poop with your scoop......

Check out the tapa's

Santiago de Compostela

Monday 21 May 2012

We are staying in the historic, artistic zone of the old city, its wonderful.....cobbled lanes, turn a corner and there is a monument, square, church etc. Tourists every where but didnt feel to crowded when we went into the cathedral.......amazing. The old town is a world heritage site and you can see why......its very special. Amazing tapa's here, they almost look too good to eat.  Will post some pics.

Leon to Santiago...

Sunday 20th May 2012

We caught the bus from Burgos to Leon to keep moving. About 20 pilgrims limped onto the bus with a wide range of injuries, spot the funny walks at the autobus station. Also spotted a big group hopping into ordered taxis.... so everyone does the camino in their own way.

Leon, another historic  Town, the cathedral has the best stain glass windows in europe, amazing. I found the cloisters much more interesting than the cathedral proper. It was a bit chaotic in the cathedral, none of the peacefulness of Burgos sg.....tour guides with big groups, too much noise

From  Leon we caught the train to Santiago. Arrived Sunday night so cant wait to explore tomorrow. Not quite the way we intended to arrive in Santiago but but we can come back when my feet are healed . Pics below are from Leon.

Burgos today

Today we have had to come off the trail as my foot is getting worse, not better. So to stop any infection I need to stay off it. So rather than stay in one village for a week we will keep moving along the same direction as the trail but by local transport. So very disappointing but have to be sensible. We will make the best of the situation and join back into the trail when we can.  On a positive note Burgos cathedral is incredible, such craftsmanship......too beautiful to describe. Will attach some pics which probably wont capture the essence of this special little town.

Los Arcos to Viana

Thursday 17th May 2012

Distance walked today = 19.5k

Our first overcast day, cool but good for walking.
My blister threw a wobly and cracked back open, not good for walking, ouch!
Tomorrow the track goes alongside the motorway and industrial zones so may take the bus to stop me wobbling into the path of a lorry. Aim to find some new shoes and get blister sorted.  Viana is another lovely walled town, pics attached.
Also saw our favourite donkey again today.

Ayegui to Los Arcos

Wednesday 16th May

• 20_ish k's walked today
• Distance to Santiago = 640k

Left Ayeguri in the dark and the sun rise was lovely.

Sore feet and shoulders today, would love a little donkey to carry our packs.

Only passed one village this morning and nothing was moving.

We kept going and found a spot on a hill beside some ancient barn ruins to have our breakfast.... chocolate croissants, oranges and marshmallow all bought the day before from the alimentare... lovely!