Porto Portese

...or a holiday!!!

And here, too, M.! Almost time to start sending off for brochures, Sticki!

I always wish I could do that thing like they did on star trek - 'beam me up!' that would sort everything out with no hassle!

Oh, wouldn't it just! Not sure the airlines and holiday companies would benefit much though. I'm thinking of toddling off up to Venice for the day in a week or so if we get a nice day - only takes an hour and a half on the train, and it's lovely in the winter light. AND NO GAGGLES of TOURISTS! It's always very cold there once summer's over though - it's the damp off the lagoon.

Another wonderful view. I wish there was a 'beam me up' way to travel. I'm scared of flying so i'm sticking to driving holidays in future. Barcelona was terrible for GAGGLES of TOURISTS too Gattina (i was one of them lol)

Our daughter, who is now more Italian than English, despises tourists, is desperate not to look like one and forbids me to carry a camera or look at maps whenever we go somewhere interesting. (She can be very scary) The downside is, that for some reason, wherever we go, she and/or I get asked for directions and information by everyone, Italians included, despite by our colouring being very obviously not locals. Maybe we just look intelligent, friendly and approachable. LOL!
I've had to start learning landmarks and bus/vaporetti routes in Bologna, Florence and Venice.
I'm with you Bill: I'm not scared of flying, but I just HATE all the time you have to waste in airports.

There always are, Meadow, whenever you go, but summertime becomes positively unpleasant. It's very sad, but Venice seems to have been largely deserted by the Venetians, and all the shops and restaurants seem to have been taken over by the Chinese and Russians. I did exaggerate a bit about its being "Just up the road" It takes a couple of hours for us to get down to the centre of Bologna where the trains go from, and if you want to do a day trip, you need to start uncomfortably early, and since the last train back up here leaves Bologna at 9.00 p.m. (Farmers go to bed early), you need to leave by about teatime, which cuts out the best bit of the day. If do do stay overnight, the most wonderful experience I've ever had was walking across a deserted, clean-washed St Mark's Square as the sun comes up, and riding up the grand canal as the city is waking. The light and air is breathtaking. It feels as though you could be living in history. OK, purple prose over. Sorry about that.

Just found this lovely blog, and your site Gattina. You make these so romantic places sound almost normal, but somehow loveable too. Roll on June. Lovely photo...