Euro Travel & More

Italy is so beautiful and romantic – one can never get enough of seeing the different parts of Italy even if you`ve been here before. I am what they called a casual tourist and not the die hard history educated kinda tourist – so I`m more into the food and the sightseeing – as for seeing the churches and the roman ruins – I can do without it after the first few times.  I`m more interested in the landscapes and the culture of Italy and the Italians.  The people in Italy are mostly friendly – I find those owning small little shops are friendlier, they may not speak perfect English – but we could all understand them.  And one never gets tired of seeing the Leaning Tower.

This is the Medici Fortress – built by the Medici family to protect the town of Arezzo. The fortress was beautiful but a bit spooky with a lot of medieval ruins – the place reminded me of the movie that my mom used to watch – Chariots on Fire?

Some touristy gift store – for you to get a souvenir home – or pick a postcard to send to friends and family.  I find these places pretty fun and the shop owner was a very nice old man – who was very friendly and helpful.

A game restaurant in Italy is not uncommon – try some wild boar lasagna while you are at it.

Yums!  i thought it tasted really good.

This is the square of the Piazza Della Repubblica – where artists can be found everywhere.  There was a club I had gone to – a really classy one – and if you want to meet you Italian boyfriends – this is a place to hang out – so I was told.  See the spinning carousel – love it!  There are also lots of cafe to have a bite or two – and the gelato cafe – buy some and take a rest and watch a concert at the Piazza.  More on Italy in another post.

I never really wrote about Milan – because I had only been there for a day – and that doesn’t really say much about knowing the place – if you know me well enough to know that usually I would have stayed there for at least 2 weeks or been to the place for a few times – before i write about these places.  I just don’t really feel right to write and give my opinion if the trip was so short – just like when i was on a day trip to GuangZhou.  Well, not until my girlfriend told me she was going to Milan to meet this gorgeous guy she met online.

I cannot say i don’t like Milan because it is a beautiful country and the amount of history – that comes with this place is truly amazing – the many beautiful architectural work on these metal buildings and stone ones are a sight to behold. Milan was vibrant and the Milanese were a lot friendly I find than the Parisians.   As I think back of Milan – i think of all the Renaissance art that I’ve viewed all these years – unlike Spain – because of the mixture of contemporary style in MIlan.

My g/f asked me if Milan was as romantic as Paris – and i told her to remember to go up to the top fo Duomo – Milan’s cathedral and then tell me what she thinks – and we’ll talk about romantic.  I think Milan has an old charm – almost majestic and old food – good italian food – got to the Savini.

Hotel Bauer is not like your ordinary hotel, this is one of the best hotels in Venice, Italy. It is what we hoteliers considered as a 5 star hotel or a first class hotel. Not many hotels are named first class hotels.. and what i liked most was it was a 2 mins walk from San Marco.

I was privileged to have stayed in this wonderful hotel.. that transported me back in times.. i felt like a queen.. and i’m sure my bosses felt like the kings. My room overlooked the small square.. internet access is available in the room and of course satellite tv and the meals were awesome.. at the terrace. It was so enlightening almost every evening. .sipping a glass or wine.. relaxing before turning in.

The concierge department as well as the front desk were efficiently operated.. and every morning.. when turning in my room keys.. they would greet me by my family name. The concierge department and the bell men knew which was my limo driver every morning. I forgot to mentioned that the bathroom was tiled with marble .. and it was really awesome.. on a hot summer day.

Venice during dusk .. brings back many good memories. I was there several times.. during the last 20 years.. and everytime i go back.. it seems different.. yet the same.. like visiting an old friend. I know.. i know.. it’s corny .. muahahha!! but yes.. i loved Venice alot.. and i usually go only during the spring time.. because it is absolutely crowded during summer.

Everyone knows about the Piazza San Marco aka St Mark’s square, you don’t even need to travel to Venice to know about it. It is said that the Piazza San Marco is so popular .. that photographers from all over the world.. flocks over here to take pictures of it. Our Europe office was nearby .. so we do get to talk walks over here.. during lunch time. Our hotel was pretty near .. the Piazza .. we stayed in Bauer Hotel .. but that would be for another post.

Yes.. fashionable Milan, Italy was where i was .. a few years ago. Milan Cathedral aka Duomo di Milano, one of the biggest church in the world and I heard is second in Italy next to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It is said to also be the second largest Gothic Cathedral in the world. One of the things you need to know and watch out is.. the small red bulb in the dome above the apse, this is said to mark the sport whereby one of the nails used to crucified Christ was placed.

Jaw dropping moment for most people who knows a wee bit about architectural building and the complication of this cathedral it must have been when they were building it. You can never find any building like this anymore, this itself is worth a trip to Italy.

A magnificent building is an understatement, this is more than magnificent.

It is a dream vacation to be able to go to Rome in Italy, but bringing the whole family for a vacation can cost a lot. Therefore we try and save costs in other things such as looking for an apartment rental instead of paying for several hotel rooms to accommodate our kids and the in laws. With these savings we can spend more on sightseeing, food, tours and shopping.

Vacation Rental Rome is said to have everything you need in accommodations. From apartment rental Rome which is not only affordable, it is a lot more convenient .. especially if you have kids with you or older folks. Did I also mention that they are tastefully furnished and have wi-fi connections so you can stay in touch with home or work. But Bed and Breakfast are also available for those on a honeymoon who prefer cozy and romantic accommodations. Whatever your needs may be, Vacation Rental Rome is here to help meet your needs and to go beyond their call of duty to make your vacation a memorable and enjoyable one. The website is easy to navigate and booking online is safe and stress free.

The Colosseum in Rome was a magnificent sight .. and a very interesting landmark for me. Even though it is in ruins because of earthquakes, you can see that tourist flocks here just to see it. It is said that the Colosseum still has a very close connection with the church for during Good Friday .. the pope never failed to lead a torchlit procession to the amphitheater. Very interesting eh.

Of course, we all know that the Colosseum was originally the Flavian Amphitheater build in the center of the city of Rome and is the largest to be built in the Roman Empire. Touted as one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.

Just to show you the outside of the Colosseum as we were entering it.

The inside of the Colosseum, said to be able to seat 50,000 spectators, this place had been used for gladiatorial contest.  And it had been used for 500 years.

Inside of the Colosseum still.

More of the ruins.

When i was in Italy, I had the pleasure of touring some of the best Winery and Vineyards and of course i was in awe.. and came back with alot of information and I now enjoy wine alot better than any other liquor.  I also looked into joining the wine of the month clubs , so that I can get to taste wine from premium vineyards in the hope to be a little more knowledgeable the next time I tour Tuscany again.