Two days in Rome Rome, Italy Rome, Italy Friday 16th July Our plan for our first morning back in Rome was to get up early and have a walk around the key sights before the crowds emerged. We didn’t wake up until 8am though. So, instead, we had a lazy morning, went down for breakfast … More Two days in Rome

Back to Rome! Rome, Italy Rome, Italy Thursday 15th July 2010 It was another magnificent hot day waiting for us when we woke on our last morning in Porto Santo Stefano. We weren’t due to leave until Saturday but we were going back to Rome today. We wanted to have the last two days in … More Back to Rome!

Etruscan day: Pitigliano and Orvieto. Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Wednesday 14th July The morning again promised another scorching day so we set off early. Our plan was to head west to the two towns of Pitigliano (1 hr) and Orvieto (2hr). These towns are well know for their Etruscan history and … More Etruscan day: Pitigliano and Orvieto.

Day trip to Giannutri and Giglio Islands Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Tuesday 13th July It sounds ungrateful but we almost groaned when we woke at 6am and saw another brilliant, blue sky. This promised hot and humid days here on the coast. We set off for the 15 min walk to … More Day trip to Giannutri and Giglio Islands

Exploring Monte Argentario Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Monday 12th July Mark’s mobile rang at 6 am and woke me so I decided to head out for an exploratory walk before it became too scorching. It was another hot day already at this hour. I ventured down the stairs to the harbour … More Exploring Monte Argentario

First full day in Porto Santo Stefan Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Sunday 11th July Sunday is truly a day of rest in Italy. So, given that nothing would be open, we decided to have a day by the pool to recharge our energy reserves and to try to forget our present … More First full day in Porto Santo Stefan

A week in Tuscany: Arrival day Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Porto Santo Stefano, Italy Porto Santo Stefano Saturday 10th July 2010 The drive into Porto Santo Stefano outperformed any of the previous driving episodes that we had survived. Our apartment was located in a condominium complex near the top of a rather steep escarpment, or … More A week in Tuscany: Arrival day

Just one night in Sienna Siena, Italy Siena, Italy Siena Friday 9th July Yet another hot and sunny morning greeted us on waking for our last morning in Cinque Terre. Whilst it made for safe driving we wouldn’t have minded a reprieve from the searing heat. The drive out of Monterosso al Mare was as … More Just one night in Sienna

Walking the Cinque Terre path Cinque Terre: Monterosso al mare, Italy Cinque Terre: Monterosso al mare, Italy Thursday 8th July Just a quick update for today as we are doing the Cinque Terre path walk. Another hot and sunny morning greeted us when we woke this morning. We had breakfast on the terrace of the … More Walking the Cinque Terre path

Cinque Terre: first day Cinque Terre: Monterosso al mare, Italy Cinque Terre: Monterosso al mare, Italy Cinque Terre Wednesday 7th July Our first and last morning in Parma promised yet another hot and sunny day ahead. It was already very warm when we woke at 7am, a relative sleep in for us all. Point of … More Cinque Terre: first day