tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2565159877415000792024-03-18T21:34:32.976-07:00My love affair with EuropeA Manchester based blogger who loves gin, vintage clothing and travel. My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-6015303933465045982019-07-03T04:50:00.001-07:002022-02-17T08:26:19.148-08:00Sorrento Nights and Amalfi Dreams<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Towards the end of the summer season last year I hopped on a
cheap early morning flight to Naples and set out on the coach to Sorrento in
time for a late afternoon stroll. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Amalfi coast is everything you expect it will be,
quintessentially Italian but with much higher and rockier terrain, pastel
coloured buildings in varying shades of coral, terracotta and peppermint,
divine seafood caught that day, turquoise waters and of course that one
thing you need to buy the finest of the finest in Positano…money!<o:p></o:p></div>
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For our little adventure and for the perfect few days away
we based ourselves in Sorrento for three nights which gave us ample time to
tour around the local (ahem) more exclusive towns and neighbourhoods, before
also spending a final night in Naples for our early morning flight home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We stayed in the 3-star Hotel Tourist conveniently situated a short stroll from the local public transport ranks, even with considerable baggage, there should be no need for further transportation
costs. Our little find suited our tastes and needs more than adequately, simply
decorated and furnished but with modern conveniences. It also had the added
benefit of an outdoor pool with ample sun loungers, a small outdoor kiosk for
drinks and the breakfast was a mixture of continental standards, freshly baked cakes and pastries and hot food cooked to order. The only downsides were
that rooms were in pretty close proximity and you could often hear next doors
amusements which unfortunately for us was a couple of highly animated Italians. </div>
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After checking in, we dipped our tired tootsies into the relaxing pool amazed
by the light and heat for October, those lucky Southern Italians and their
Indian summers! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sorrento is a picturesque little town delighting me at every
opportunity with sweet and cute boutiques, endless side streets to get lost in
and menu ogle, luxury if you want and need it and without the hefty price tags of
places we visited but did not stay. As the sun began to set on our first
evening and with the air heavy with a salty lemony tang we knew it was time for
vino and carbs. We dined at Ristorante Zi Ntonio where we sipped on crisp and
deliciously dry but fruity pale pink rose (Lacrimarosa) and ate tuna tartar
followed by clams with spaghetti. The restaurant, truly a little gem with
staff elegantly dressed in black tie, where cured meats hung from the ceiling
and wooden beams and of course dinner by candlelight (which of course would
have been very romantic had I been eating with a man). We followed this by a
nightcap, sat outside the main square peering down the rock face below where
the temperature had cooled but was still blissful. We made our way back home to
rest and reflect on a perfect first day and wondered what tomorrow had in
store. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With history and a very famous volcano on our doorstep, we
booked a tour to Pompeii. Sorrento has regular and direct services via the
train terminal where you can purchase a return ticket with a walking tour for a
reasonable price. The station is also home to the local tourist office where
most of the pickup and drop off points occur; it’s really handy especially if
you’re staying within the centre of town. The journey to Pompeii was a
rollercoaster in itself, old school style train carts dart scenically through
the countryside before the journey is suddenly and frequently plunged into
darkness as the track makes its way through the middle of mountains and rocky
wilderness. The train seems to pick up speed at an alarming and unsafe pace and
the breeze rocks the carriages from side to side and you wonder whether you are
actually on public transport or a ride at the fair, this, of course, all adds to the
dramatism and fun. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Pompeii; as we were soon to find out was not in ruins, there
were still moments of life trapped as if virtually untouched. They were pretty
clever those Romans; if you had the money you bought your summer home here;
there were amphitheatres, a sewerage system, spas and baths and endless bread
shops where you could actually see the outlines of what we would today describe as the origins of the pizza oven. There was pristine marble stone, ancient
pottery and of course with sex being cheaper than wine even if you weren’t
educated enough to speak Latin the phallic symbols point you in the right
direction. After centuries and even millennia, the oldest business in the world
was perfectly preserved in time with murals depicting various positions
adorning each wall. </div>
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Back in Sorrento, we decided to book a tour for the
following day. Choosing to see the most famous of the Amalfi resorts Positano
which also happened to make a pit stop at the town of Amalfi with an optional
boat tour at the end. This suited our trip perfectly the price was pretty
reasonable (around £40pp) and the tour group was small and intimate. We were
also given ample free time to explore each resort at our own pace and our guide
was informative and friendly. The journey itself another nail biter, our small
minibus struggling to overtake larger trucks or gain much speed as it desperately
makes its way uphill. Vespa’s whipped past on a death
wish only narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic. </div>
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On our way we past glamourous 5
star resorts, the famous Fiordo di Furore and ceramic stores selling local
majolica in every bright hue you can possibly name.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The elegance and majestic beauty of Positano is a sight to behold! Houses and hotels scramble for the best views, awesome boutiques dot each and every side street enticing you with their expensive array of linen’s and trinkets
and the glamorous folk sit and sizzle on the sand with Bellini’s in hand. The
place will always be a mecca for tourists so coming slightly out of season
meant we could easily find a seat directly on the beach and people watch with a
cold glass of local white wine. Bellisma!</div>
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Fun fact; People Park illegally in Positano as it is far
cheaper to pay the fine than the going rate of up to 250 euros! Yikes!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We also happened to explore the town of Amalfi with its
glorious iconic Cathedral and its famous steps and headed for a late al fresco
lunch where the risotto and cold beer filled our hungry tummies. We wandered up
and down the jetty getting a majestic panoramic view, another day of feeling
ala Sophie Loren. Our final night in Sorrento had us tired but thrilled that we
had managed to see so much of the famous coastline and we toasted and clinked
glasses in the main square at another fine dining establishment. Had we had another day we would have surely put a boat trip to Capri on our list. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our final morning in Sorrento and we wandered down to the
Grande harbour and sat outside a hole in the wall sipping an ice cold (real)
Peroni overlooking the boats and fishermen, and watching the restaurants tout
for business as they advertised today’s menu. We walked along the edge reaching
the glass-fronted famous Delfino Seafood restaurant which sits directly
overlooking the harbour and into the sea, another pinch yourself moment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Onto Naples; and yes I heard the same stories, it's loud, it’s
dirty, it’s smelly but that’s why I like it. I like my cities slightly on the
disturbing side. Yeah there is graffiti or to put a nicer spin on things ‘street
art’ everywhere but this is reflective of the state of the city. It is if
anything truly authentic. </div>
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Of course, the one and the only real reason people usually
attempt to visit the city is to sample the famous pizza. By sheer coincidence
we happened to be staying within walking distance of Pizzeria da Michele, you’ll
recognise this familiar and family run restaurant when Julia Roberts claims she
is in love and in a relationship with her pizza in the 2010 movie ‘Eat, Pray,
Love’. No reservations are taken and you’ll often see the line before you see
the entrance. You wait outside with your little stubby ticket and simply wait
for your number to be called. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The menu consists of only two types of pizza, but the philosophy
is you don’t need many ingredients to taste a little bit of heaven! Amen to
that. We sat ensconced next to two Canadians also on their last evening and a
couple of clinking Cola and Peroni's and it was time to end
our stay. Ciao…for now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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P.S Naples is sooo loud, bring ear plugs or double glazing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com084011 Amalfi, SA, Italy40.6333389 14.60289629999999820.9656204 -26.7056977 60.3010574 55.9114903tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-18143341281015572002019-04-03T03:22:00.001-07:002022-02-17T08:26:55.954-08:00How to survive a music festival in your 30's<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I’m all for the mini-breaks and the staycations and even the daycations, I’ve been to countless dive bars and been in many a mosh pit and seen some brilliant concerts, but by the age of 30 I was yet to experience the ‘pleasures and or challenges of the music festival’. My only experience of camping (my only three might I had) was as a much younger teen and only lasted approximately one evening! We tried attempted and failed to cook pasta and out of the pan it fell onto the soggy wet grass and the tent almost blew away. The great British summer this was not! The only others were as a young naïve 20 something which also only lasted one evening and even then I only survived on cans of Stella (god I was classy). <o:p></o:p></div>
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So at the age of 30 (2 years ago…fuck!) I was presented with a brand new scenario, the long weekend music festival. Would I be able to cope without adequate toilet/washing facilities? Could I survive on greasy tasteless burgers that soaked up last night’s excesses? What about the mud the endless mud? <o:p></o:p></div>
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But guess what……, I survived and actually thrived. The staycation on a musical note can transform and transport you around the world and regardless of age, you can really have the time of your life! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I discovered almost upon entering this muddy field ala polka dot wellies on, that it’s actually kind of fun squelching around in the mud. When you near the main stage you are kind of dumbfounded a miniature city on show! I wasn’t expecting this, rides, vintage clothing shops, craft beer tents, world food, even a gin bar and a Freixenet cava stand, welcome to paradise my friends, an almost utopia of your favourite things. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, what if you aren’t quite a music fan? No problems, there’s shopping opportunities, yoga and meditation classes, science and political talks hell there are even comedy tents. Fan of food? Awesome! Treat it like a food festival, last year I had one of the best gourmet burgers of my life, ate fresh crab from the Scottish lochs, had wood-fired pizza, French rotisserie chicken, drank wine from Argentina, had cherry beer from the local brewery and a fabulous G&T from the guys at Portobello. The list is endless; this is even before the music.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And now my tips to make your festival feel like an absolute breeze!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Shower in the evening –</u> </b>I found this to be absolutely essential! Even getting up at the crack of dawn which is pretty much written off after a night of merriment you’d still find a queue of people that seem to take hour long showers! As my idea of a lie in consists of any time after 8am these days the queues just get worse, so go for a nice long shower in the evening 5-6pm is perfect. Tie your hair in one of those plaits or buns, grab some salt spray and rock the beach waves the next day as there is absolutely zero point in a blow dry. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Only a large tent or van will do- </u></b>I have found after trying and attempting to sleep in a one-man tent my husband thought would be perfect for two that this is indeed a completely stupid and ridiculous idea. You need room, space, a place to get changed, somewhere to put your pots and pans and food essentials, a place to blow off steam, a place to put your chairs, your rubbish and whatever other essentials you deem necessary. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Something comfy to sleep on- </u></b>If you can do bring a blowup bed or whatever is nice and soft to sleep on. Grass back is not fun, that yoga session would be painful the next morning. At our last music festival the hubby had the idea of bringing the transit van which was ingenious as we had a mattress that was relatively new in storage after purchasing a new bed, layering the bottom of the van we whacked in the mattress put on a proper sheet, duvet and pillows and I could have sworn I was in my own bed. It also had the added benefits of completely blacked out light! What a winner. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>The Power Nap- </u></b>Do not underestimate the power of these, if your liver has taken a battering and there is an act you simply must see at a certain ungodly hour (which for me is probably any time after 11 these days); there is nothing a painkiller, Lucozade and a long nap won’t solve. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Budget – </u></b>Whilst the delicious food and drink stalls must and do deserve to be attacked they can quickly add up. Stick to a certain amount and agree on it, if there is a delicacy you simply must try limit yourself at other occasions unless money is no issue invite friends back to your plot have a BBQ and or picnic and have a laugh! Sometimes the shittest of convenience food can bring out the best conversations with friends and family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Try to choose your plot wisely – </u></b>this is truly an art form. You need somewhere that isn’t too far to walk for any major conveniences, yet is still quiet enough to actually have some form of REM sleep. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Plan, Schedule, list- </u></b>do this early on and try to work out what times you must see what and when try and see if anything is repeated so you don’t have the annoying task of working out what you might miss. You then have the added benefit of knowing you have worked out and planned everything in advance, also have a wander and explore the festival layout and see out how much time you need to get where and when so you can get adequate seating or at the front and or possibly stop with enough time for a beverage or two. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Shopping list- </u></b>I may have nailed this down to a fine art depending on who you are with, whether you are single, together or a group you can add or withdraw items as you see fit; reusable water bottles (most festivals are aiming to be plastic free and offer free water so take something you can fill up and keep your hydration levels up), baby wipes (for just about everything), errevescent vitamins, medicine cabinet essentials (painkillers, dioralyte, Imodium, acid reflux meds, blister treatments, plasters), sun screen, various hats, food (anything non-perishable is a god send), booze (if you can), wellies, waterproofs, the usual’s (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tooth paste, toilet roll), anti-bacterial wipes/gel, hair bands/clips, condoms (better to be safe than sorry), wireless chargers, a bum bag (safer than a handbag or backpack and is quite the fashion piece), sunglasses, ear plugs and a sleeping mask (if you’re near a noisy area or don’t have a black out tent), disposable BBQ, dry shampoo, salt spray, wellies, sleeping bag, a size up tent. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I would also suggest possibly beautifying yourself at home over the coming days if you’re that way inclined. Want that dewy nice glow, get a spray tan before you leave, have a conditioning treatment at the hairdressers, make sure you eat well and rest before the party starts and once there well go get that glitter face painted on because when in Rome you can be a unicorn. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-81921116634550324662018-11-26T05:40:00.006-08:002022-02-24T06:16:53.821-08:00Portmeirion<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes all you need is a restorative weekend, a day trip or a quick drive out to make you feel like you’ve had a break from the stresses of work and everyday life. It’s enough to blow away the cobwebs and feel like you’ve made the most of your free time. I love days like this and earlier on in the year, on a glorious sunny day, we headed out to a little piece of Italian paradise right on our own doorstep; no plane journey required.</div>
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After getting lost in picturesque countryside, often having to slow down to take pictures and of course natures very own traffic lights (sheep and lots of them) you approach the little tourist town of Portmeirion in the Gwynedd area of North Wales, in an area of sublime natural beauty. The town created by Sir Clough Williams Ellis was designed in the style of the Italian village of Portofino and immediately on entering you are transported to a fairy tale paradise.</div>
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Elegant archways, pastel-shaded houses and various bright flora and fauna abound, palm trees sway and as you sit down and sip on a cold crisp Italian Moretti lager (well, when in Rome!) you almost completely forget you are in the Welsh countryside. It’s pretty and elegant facade you may recognise from programmes such as The Prisoner (a bit of a cult classic) and the music festival <a href="https://festivalnumber6.com/" target="_blank">Number 6</a>, presumably named after the agent above.</div>
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To keep the village running there is an entrance fee, more expensive on the day at around £12.50 or £10.00 after 3pm (however, if you book online tickets are much cheaper!) as we arrived after 3pm and the site isn’t particularly large (this is a village after all) we had more than enough time to wander around this sub-tropical utopia at a leisurely pace and indulge enough in a drink and a delicious sharing platter of food at Caffe Glas (I love how the menus are still properly represented in Welsh). We sat and watched the world go by and admired this pretty part of the world. Coming at this particular hour, you feel like you’ve almost got the place to yourself and don’t forget, if you don’t want to explore this little gem on foot, the miniature railway departs from outside this Italian style restaurant. We nibbled at our board of Italian style meats, olives and cheeses, and let our bread soak up delicious oil and balsamic glaze. You can also pre-order food to take away and have it delivered to one of the onsite cottages if you happen to stay on site. This is something I would definitely do, especially whilst enjoying a cold drink and admiring the sunset over the picturesque estuary.</div>
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Afterwards, we wandered down to the Portmeirion Hotel and stopped at one of the local shops to pick up some Welsh goodies, including some spicy, dark Pembrokeshire Rum. Delicious to drink but also gorgeous as a glaze for marinades or maybe added to cake mix. The Portmeirion Hotel is a fabulous spot if you decide to stay for a night or two and is very popular for weddings as its views are unparalleled; a perfect spot for a sundowner! It even has an outdoor pool virtually unheard of in Great Britain, never mind Snowdonia! Between now and March next year there are some great deals to be had for mini breaks to Portmeirion (check their website for details but two nights with breakfast and dinner can be had for around £205 for two people). If the dramatic sunsets are anything to be had at the moment those purple and pink dotted skies would look ever so pretty over the Dynward Estuary! They even do spa packages ... perfect to escape and ease away the stresses and tensions of everyday life.</div>
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So, if you want to take a trip to Italy but can’t quite afford the price tag, make your way to Portmeirion and live that Italian/Welsh dream. You can even have Gelato!</div>
My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-8457166784418977582018-11-14T03:07:00.000-08:002018-11-14T03:08:39.451-08:00Krakow in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"> This time I’m ashamed to admit I can’t be arsed to bloody write, thank god some of you are thinking but, to be honest, I will let these pictures (iPhone ones I’m afraid) do the talking. Krakow was such a revelation, like most of Eastern Europe; these cities are little gems, so jaw-achingly pretty with milky shade buildings juxtaposed with a sort of noir sense of glamour in this gothic fairytale paradise. It’s cheap, extremely clean, if you want to eat some of the best burgers on earth and if you like your beer cold, crisp and by the gallon…..it should be on your stein (bucket) list. </span></div>
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We flew to Krakow with <a href="http://jet2.com/" target="_blank">Jet2</a> from Manchester and stayed in the heart of the hip Jewish Quarter at the <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/pl/new-charming-apartment.en-gb.html" target="_blank">New Charming Apartments</a> which provided fantastic value for money, is as modern as modern can get, comfortably sleeps six and also has a balcony! Happy Days. </div>
<o:p></o:p>My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-27893979736458484232018-11-05T06:33:00.001-08:002022-02-17T08:30:38.196-08:00A quick foodie guide to Krakow<div style="text-align: center;">
I’m going to be taking a bit of a different stance on my usual full holiday breakdowns. This time, I’m going to let you explore a short gastronomic tour of the truly magnificent Polish city of Krakow. Our time earlier this year in this truly spectacular gothic gem, tickled and tantalised our taste buds in a delightfully pleasant and unexpected way.</div>
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<b><u><a href="http://ganesh.pl/" target="_blank">Ganesh Krakow</a></u></b></div>
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Down a side street in an underground cellar, we escaped the heat of the July sun and entered this luxurious and oasis-like calm interior. Almost out of an Arabian novel, I felt transported to a secret escape in Marrakesh ..... when I was actually in Poland eating in an Indian restaurant! This amazing eaterie not only had a sleek, modern interior but provided some of the most appetising butter chicken I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating; creamy and delicious but not too sweet, with just the right amount of tomato acidity. Mouth-watering! When you’re done, have a cocktail at the plush bar and/or relax in the upstairs lodge and sink into the mass of soft, plump cushions that adorn the seating.</div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline;">Montana Burger’s and Hotdogs</span></div>
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On the way back from a long walk and at a very late hour, we followed our nostrils to the corner of Stradomska, where this little hole in the wall delivered some of the best and juiciest meat placed sliced bread imaginable. Krakownians like their meat and you will find fast food outlets all over the city but this places was so good, we just had to go back the very next day.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/montanaburgerhotdog/" target="_blank"> Montana Burgers and Hotdogs</a></div>
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(haha it was too late to get another shot! I am ashamed, look at the smile on his face? haha) </div>
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<b><u><a href="http://pizzeria00.pl/" target="_blank">Pizzeria 00</a></u></b></div>
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For proper, Neapolitan Pizza with the most wonderful dough base and tastiest, fresh toppings, head across the river and seek out this other hole in the wall establishment. I washed my Margherita pizza down with an ice cold white wine. Sit by the window and people watch and observe their envious faces as they see you tucking into the best authentic pizza in Krakow! I do apologise for my poor quality Instagram story shots but I simply had to show the rest of the world and let them drool enviously before enjoying!</div>
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<b><u><a href="http://www.restauracjaaugusta.pl/" target="_blank">Augusta Restaurant and Bar</a></u></b></div>
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Along the Vistula river, rollerbladers and lovers stroll down the banks of the water and of course, plenty of boat bars and restaurants abound. We picked 'Augusta', as it had the best roof deck for watching the world go by with a sophisticated cocktail in hand; yes it is slightly pretentious but with a view like this and some hard liquor who am I to complain?</div>
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<b><u><a href="https://alchemia.com.pl/" target="_blank">Klub Alchemia</a></u></b></div>
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Possibly one of the best bars on the planet and in the hippest district of Kazimierz, it hosts fantastic music nights and each room has its own distinct feel and décor. Like a walk into Narnia (literally, one of the doors is the front of a wardrobe) into a defunct cinema space and then onto Grandma’s communist kitchen. The cheap lace table covers and fake plastic flowers in a milk bottle only add to its quirky eccentricity and I could happily while away hours staring out the window with an ice cold beer (by the way, Alchemia offers some of the best beers on draft). If you like here (and by God, why wouldn’t you?) then I also recommend <a href="https://pubpropaganda.business.site/" target="_blank">Bar Propaganda</a>, located only a short walk away. It’s like having a drink in the least salubrious but best antique store in the world and if you are a collector/hoarder then this is paradise.</div>
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<br />My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-40099668003978990522018-09-20T12:51:00.001-07:002022-02-17T08:28:54.560-08:00Cruising around Crete <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{150}" paraid="1821864744" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">So, earlier this year, I had the not unenviable task of going on a Greek adventure for our wedding anniversary. Amazingly, considering all my many European adventures I had </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">never ventured</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> to Greece before. So, the big question was, 'Where do we visit? This was Springtime and I had visions of white buildings with blue shutters and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">glorious blossoms. We did, though, also want heat and to find somewhere away from the major tourist areas. Following a process of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">elimination</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> we quickly settled on Crete. Not only is this the largest of the Greek Islands it is also the most Southern (any further and you reach Northern Africa!) so we were almost guaranteed lovely weather. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{156}" paraid="894596386" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">After a champagne soaked flight (mostly for me ... hubby was designated driver!) we touched down in Heraklion. We had </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">booked a</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> car (pretty much essential for getting around) and drove to our destination of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Rethymno</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, one of the largest towns on the island. We stayed in a delightfully pretty boutique style hotel in the hills</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">which we had arranged through 'booking.com' (yes, I know, I'm addicted to the website) at </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><a href="https://www.calergi.gr/en-gb" target="_blank">Calergi</a></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.calergi.gr/en-gb" target="_blank"> Residence</a>. As it turned out, I had made an absolutely fabulous choice, if I do say so myself. On arrival, we were rewarded with a delicious and mercifully refreshing, cold Greek beer (Mythos is king). We pinched </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ourselves as</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> it was hard to believe that only a few short hours ago we were leaving chilly Manchester and were now dipping our toes in the hotel’s plunge pool whilst watching the Cretan sun disappear beyond the mountains. Our apartment was comfy and super cute with a large double bed with luxurious bedding and an unbelievable shower room. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Luckily</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> we had a balcony and as it was upstairs/downstairs it really had a sense of space. Breakfast was served at a reasonable hour, which meant we could enjoy a leisurely lie- in and treats included freshly baked pastries, hams, cheeses and the best local yoghurt and honey. This really set us you up for a day of exploring Greek churches, Venetian harbours, outstanding beaches or just having a lazy day by the pool with a good book. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{162}" paraid="1237169868" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Location wise, this was fabulous ... away from the hustle and bustle of the town but with </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">facilities on</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> the doorstep; a supermarket for cheap local plonk, a great cocktail bar playing international sports, several gyros places and a pizza joint. But the best place was a local restaurant, just a stone’s throw from the property which came highly recommended. I don’t even think it had a name but there was no way you could fail to recognise it due to its </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">red neon</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> lights glowing garishly from inside. Interestingly, there is no </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">menu ...</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> whatever is fresh that day is brought to your table and only stops coming when you finally say, 'no'. The food was not only a revelation but unbelievably cheap. Homemade Cretan cheese drizzled with local pressed olive oil and smashed sweet tomatoes, large and tangy Greek salads, these green, spiral vegetable things (no idea what they were ... never seen them before, straight out of the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">owners</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> garden) simply blanched then spritzed with lemons and the piece da la resistance, the fresh lamb, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">served with</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> just a hint of garlic and rosemary which did not distract from the succulent sweet taste. The owner also made his own wine, drank in mini tumblers, a dry white but with a punchy apricot after taste which balanced perfectly with all our dishes, naturally served in a carafe. Typical of the area, a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">complementary half</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> bottle of Ouzo was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">also placed</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> on our table at the end of the meal ... it seemed churlish not to partake! All of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">this, plus</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> several other tasty little 'amuse </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">bouches</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">', came to the grand sum of 28 euros. I would walk back on broken glass for some more of that night’s food. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{168}" paraid="522652717" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">I’m digressing again! Damm food! </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Rethmyno</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> is an interesting town with its own mini Venetian harbour that’s been left to slightly crumble. I like it like that, elegantly wasted and faded but still breathtakingly beautiful. There is also a cool fortress/castle overlooking the city, which </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">is great</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> for getting that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">all</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">important</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> view. It is also a mixture of old and new with lots of modern type bars and restaurants which cater to tourists and the local university population. If you want to island hop around Greece, you can also take a ferry to Santorini from here or just a day trip, which is a much </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">much</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> cheaper alternative. Alongside the harbour there are bars and restaurants and palm trees galore and this side of the city was very tourist friendly with greeters outside cheerfully </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">touting for</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> custom. The prices, of course, reflect this but just venture inside the city walls and you will discover a different world entirely. The old town had my jaw dropping and I was mesmerised by its natural beauty, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">with every</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> side street a new and exciting experience with pretty pastel shades and quirky independent shops selling various trinkets and accessories. One such street had waves of rose petals landing on the pavement and were photographic gold as they lingered mid-air, drifting in the breeze. Getting lost in these streets was a dream, every new corner was a delight and we joyfully had a delightful lunch in a locally run family taverna that grilled the freshest of fish. We sat and admired the elegance of the crumbled buildings, wondering if the plants and various greenery growing up the walls was the only thing holding them together. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{174}" paraid="1780047096" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">If you want to stay close to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Rethymnon</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> but want a quieter break, head on a few miles down the coast to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Georgioupolis</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. There you will find enough facilities to not get hungry or bored and the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">crystal</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">clear</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> waters lap at your feet as you can dine, overlooking the ocean. Maybe take the rocky causeway to one of the most photographed churches in Crete, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Agios</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Nikolaos. It’s a heavenly little resort and on this particular day we had the beach virtually all to ourselves. It was truly magical experience, sipping </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ice</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">cold</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> mythos (I simply love it when they freeze the glasses) and eating the finest of Cretan food. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{180}" paraid="1728052498" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">The icing on the cake for our week’s jolly was to another of Crete’s larger towns, Chania (pronounced without the C). This place just blew my already blown mind. It had a mixture of all the European places I’ve loved or wish to visit but yet still utterly unique and charming. You just can’t quite put your finger on it. As you enter the harbour your senses are assaulted and you think, 'Have I been here before'? Venice maybe? St Tropez? Similarities perhaps but still </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">undeniably and</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> delightfully Greek. The buildings along the harbour are of a natural golden tan, which makes the colours of the shutters give off such a vibrant and exotic hue... not entirely dissimilar to a scene from a spaghetti western. This is the Greece I wanted and needed! Boats drift in and out, bringing the freshest catches of the day. People line the streets and sit underneath canopies and dine at </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">tables bedecked</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> with those cliché blue and white cheesecloth table placements, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">drinking from</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> carafes of local vino. This town is not pastel and washed out; it's every neon-bright shade imaginable </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.....</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> turquoise, emerald green, high intensity yellow and blood-curdling red. The old town here was repeatedly another photograph, another memory, another taste. I mopped up the most delicious lamb cutlets (drizzled in the sweetest Cretan honey) with locally chargrilled bread, matched with bone-dry white wine which was produced just a few miles away. Heaven is a place on earth. To come back to Crete and not visit Chania would be a crime. I urge you all to visit, it really is a jewel in the Mediterranean. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<br />
<i> <b>Those Greek Blossoms</b></i><br />
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<b><i> Taverna Style Dining in Rethymno </i></b></div>
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<b><i> Calergi Residence</i></b><br />
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<b><i> The local place! </i></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Georgioupolis! See the Church along the causeway</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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<b><i> Chania! </i></b><br />
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<br />
<b><i>Plakias</i></b><br />
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<br />
<b><i> Rethymno Old Town </i></b><br />
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{186}" paraid="1431059953" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Only a few more mile</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> further, on the West Coast of Crete, are two of the finest beaches in not only Greece but the world; these being </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Elafonisi</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Balos</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> ... we chose the latter. This is where your car will prove </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">invaluable, if</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> not an absolute necessity. To get to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Balos</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> you have a half hour drive up a steep, mountain dirt road with no </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">safety barriers</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and Greek drivers </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">hurtling past</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> with no sense of valuing human life, in a typically macho way. But trust me on this </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">one, should</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> your life be </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">spared, the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> fear will have subsided, you’ll forget how long it took to get there, how tired your legs are </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">from the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> earlier walking, as you park up and make your way over the scorched scrubland to see the lagoon below. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">It’s something</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> you aren’t quite prepared for! It is just </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">a ‘</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">wow’ moment!. You will have earned the view and you need to simply drink it all in. A patch of milky white sand, surrounded by jewel sparkled waters will </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">leave</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> you stunned with its natural and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">awe</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">inspiring</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> beauty. Nothing I have ever seen compared to this glorious vista. Arrive at Golden hour for an even more spectacular view. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">There are, indeed, so many different beach resorts to try in Crete. One day, we headed south, straight down the middle of the island to a resort called </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Plakias</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, which is surrounded by lush green mountains and the Libyan Sea. Getting to this town requires an epic drive through a gorge, churches seemingly carved into the rock face and lush green valleys below. I wasn’t quite prepared for how mountainous the island of Crete was but it only adds to its mystery and beauty and I can imagine it would provide an amazing holiday for ramblers and hikers. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{198}" paraid="691563039" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Plakias</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> has a young and hippy vibe, the hostel here is famous for being the most southern in Europe, so the town has a unique </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">boho</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> atmosphere. There are cute beach front restaurants and a stretch of golden sand that’s perfect for sunbathing and even in early April the waters were still warm enough for a swim. I heard they have an International Tourist Day in September, where there are free buffets and traditional dancing and the fun doesn’t stop till the early hours. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<b><i> Beach to ourselves at Georgioupolis </i></b><br />
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<b><i> Up the hill to Balos </i></b></div>
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<b><i> Chania harbour</i></b></div>
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<b><i> Outside our Apartment </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Rethymnon Beachfront</i></b></div>
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<b><i> Cafe Viva Rethymnon </i></b><br />
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<b><i> Chania harbour....again! </i></b><br />
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<b><i> BALOS!</i></b><br />
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<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Crete is a large island and I </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">found our</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> exploration of the south and western sides of t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">he island t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">o be almost other worldly. I have yet to explore the eastern side of Crete, where famous resorts such as </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Elounda</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Agios</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Nikolaos look just as picture perfect. It would be hard to visit Crete again and not visit Chania though. Have you visited Crete or the Eastern side? What were your thoughts? Any must do’s? </span><span class="EOP SCXW179479907" data-ccp-props="{"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179479907" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{210}" paraid="1026575995" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">One thing I would go back for……the food. It’s always got to be the food. </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW179479907" paraeid="{a59f3b6e-4f82-4b81-8096-cba7b0e0fcca}{210}" paraid="1026575995" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW179479907" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.7px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">We flew to Crete with <a href="https://www.thomascookairlines.com/" target="_blank">Thomas Cook</a> flights for both of us plus luggage were around £400</span></div>
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My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0Crete Region, Greece35.240117 24.80926909999993833.580397999999995 22.227482099999939 36.899836 27.391056099999936tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-35468756733053161512018-08-13T02:34:00.001-07:002022-02-17T08:31:54.428-08:00Touring around Tuscany<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
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<span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Touring around Tuscany</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{96aea704-0922-428b-80ba-ff28fb42a51b}{159}" paraid="265938537" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">So</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> when one wants</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> to see other delights of Tuscany outside of Florence, where does one go? What does one do? What does one eat and drink? And perhaps the most importan</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">t,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">what </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">does one not do?</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{96aea704-0922-428b-80ba-ff28fb42a51b}{177}" paraid="224547317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">As with all major cities </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Florence is </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">great base </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">to well, base yourself. There are numerous kiosks throughout the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> city to</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> book many a tour</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. If</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> you do your hom</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ework you can get a bargain</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">especially </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">if</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> you barter between companies and sometimes you can even get money off local museums, eateries and other tou</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">rist attractions. But there are also many public transport options to take</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> including buses and a very easily accessibl</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">e train station that provides </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">destinations in English</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. It tends to be</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> the main meet up and access point for the start of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">many </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">tours. </span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{96aea704-0922-428b-80ba-ff28fb42a51b}{225}" paraid="2118025930" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Which is where we headed on</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">e</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> fine</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> blissful July day.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">We wanted to do something classic, something out in the country and something near the vineyards. By all means you could hire a car yourself but a classic one? If this was to be your first time driving </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">abroad,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Ital</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">y is probably no</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">t the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> best place</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> to enjoy a nice</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, uneventful</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> ride out into the country. For one</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, driving</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> on the other side of the road and second that fiery</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Italian</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> temperament </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">tends to come to the fore as you try to decide whether to turn right or</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> left and your google maps has lost its bloody </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">signal!</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Va</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> fa</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Napoli.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{7fd9fd9c-50e3-4914-a85a-db5df5740d80}{26}" paraid="1672907178" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">So</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> out we </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">went</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> to the heart of the Tuscan countryside</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> surrounded by the dream patchwork quilt of greens, ochres </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">and earthy tones. It’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">s magical yes,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> pretty, dreamy </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">….</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">you</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> could run out of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> adjective</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">s to use for</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> this part of the world but first we had to get the party</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I mean the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> car</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> started. Now this was the stuff of vintage dreams</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">;</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> our tiny old school Fiat 500 circa 1960 something in a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">delicious</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">tomato</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> shade. We had a party of around 7-8 vehicles meandering after each other</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> exploring</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> the Tuscan hills in procession and w</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">e were actively encouraged to open the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">roof and</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> stand </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">up (just the passengers, of course!), letting the wonderfully refreshing breeze tousle your hair in the process</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">A train </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">of Vesper’s al</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">so followed</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, a</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> something that just has to be experienced</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">The first stop on the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> tour was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">the heart of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Chianti </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">region </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Castellina</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> a slightly remote commune but still part of the Chianti hills. This quaint little town had most th</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ings a visitor might desire, such as</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> restaurants and bars, quaint homemade produce shops</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, the stunning and very cute San Salvatore church</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">… in which I lit a candle </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">and said a prayer </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">(</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">to not crash and die on the plane journey home</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">!). Also, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">of course</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> the Via del a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Vonle</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> tunnel where</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> you could cool off after </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">a sweaty and tiring walk</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> in the midday sun. We </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">were given </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">approximately one hour before we were encouraged to start t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">he walk back to our vehicles. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I couldn’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">t help but giggle, perhaps a little too loudly,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> after our tour guide remarked ‘don’t drink too much’ (the emphasis being on </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">the word, ‘t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">oo</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">) as</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> he told us</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> some American’s had </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">done the day before and failed to make</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> it to lunch</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> … let alone start the car …</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> at a vineyard </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">for</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> tasting</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">on</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> our second leg </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">of the journey. This has been the only tour I have ever</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> been on where I’ve been actively encouraged to drink</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">drive. God bless those crazy Italians!</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{7fd9fd9c-50e3-4914-a85a-db5df5740d80}{26}" paraid="1672907178" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{7fd9fd9c-50e3-4914-a85a-db5df5740d80}{26}" paraid="1672907178" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">The vineyard </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">situated high</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> up an winding</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> dirt track </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">which was a bit of a challenge for</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> our little car</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> but</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> we were told to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">whack it in first gear, put our</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> foot down and just don’t stop.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> This certainly did the trick! This was a memorable</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">part of the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">tour and w</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ell worth splashing the cash on.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">I</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> was </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">entertaining as well as </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">informative and set in elegant surroundings in an 18</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" data-fontsize="11" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> century villa. As our group was small</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> we were dining in private</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> surrounded by barrels </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">hundreds of years old. I can still smell those Sangiovese grapes and could have happily tasted vino all day but all good things must come to an end. Our lunch was simple</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> but </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">refined</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">;</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> excellent</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">breads and local olive oil, truffle paste and a var</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">iety of sun ripened tomatoes with</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> a selection of cold</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> meats. After buying a bottle or</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> two from the gift shop</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> we were once again on our way</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> chasing the dream and the endless sun visiting a few other smaller and cuter villages along the way. I would whole heartedly re</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">commend this tour without hesitation. Not only is it of manageable length but also that you </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">feel</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> you are actually</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> part of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">an experience</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. T</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">he food and wine </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">provided along with the congenial</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> ambiance</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> made it one of the best experiences of my life. </span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{7fd9fd9c-50e3-4914-a85a-db5df5740d80}{218}" paraid="641204710" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Prices start from around £80.00 and you are picked up and dropped off in central Florence.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">T</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">our two</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> however</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> whilst a success in terms of distance and number of places visited</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, was an exhausting</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and emotionally draining experience. Given our time restraint of only a week and Florence being a smallish city</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, I could have happily split my days</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> spending a few nights in the following recommended locations. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Our tour was to begin</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> in Pisa followed by San </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Gimignano</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, a very late lunch in a Tuscan vineyard (bearing in mind we were on a double decker tour bus) meandering down steep mountainous terrain and ending in Siena before driving the 60-70 miles back to Florence. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">If I could do it again I wou</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ld skip Pisa entirely, though getting your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">obligatory shot</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> of the tower is </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">a box ticked, if nothing else. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> The place just depressed me, tourists and selfie sticks abound, and que</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ue</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">s are horrendous</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. A</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">part f</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">rom the bleeding obvious leaning</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> in front of you</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I struggled t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">o see what else there is to do and the place had a claustrophobic feel to it for me. Maybe I am being overly critical. It was, of course just a fleeting visit and a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Pis</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ian</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> (is that a word</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">)</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> might tell a tourist like me that there is much more on offer and to enjoy. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">s there someone I must see or do</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> if I return? I’d be interested t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">o hear your thoughts and suggestions</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{9f177ddb-d4e3-4a79-af1e-2b97a8ed82da}{157}" paraid="1097161696" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Next</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">came</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> San </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Gimignano</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> a small walled city where I could easily have spent an evening or two drinking the delicious white wine</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> which tasted of butte</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">r and honey and melted smoothly</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> on your tongue. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">San </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Gimignano</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> is</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> a UNESCO world heritage site and is min</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">d</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> numbingly</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> hea</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">rt-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">breaking</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ly</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> beautiful</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. T</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">h</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">e views go on for as far as the eye</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> can see</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and inside its famous walls one could imagine the locals partying in</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> the main </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">square</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> dancing the night away with the echoes of the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ir</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> revelry</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> be</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ing</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> heard for miles around. It is known as a town of towers and has elements of Renaissance and Gothic features. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">‘</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Tea with Mussolini</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">’</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> was filmed here.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">A</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">las</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, all to</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">o</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> soon we were off</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> again</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> carted like cattle to a very quick pit stop lunch at another vineyard</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. T</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">his was not so elegant </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">a setting, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">with food</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> evidently cooked for a mass tourist market and not authentically Tuscan. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> There is nothing really sig</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">nificant to elaborate on here, strictly average meal with barely</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">p</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">alatable wine</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{bbb3366b-c4ce-4b7f-8671-4dd3a79b148a}{28}" paraid="1660586454" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Off to our f</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">inal destination and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">dare</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">say it</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">place </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">even nicer than Flore</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">nce. Our guides were excellent and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">the architecture</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> impressive</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. If there is such a thing as ‘architecture porn’ this city emb</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">odies it. It’s my type of place …</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> quirky</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> not as well-known or visited, nor </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">perhaps </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">as </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">traditionally beautiful as its older and more famous cousin but that’s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> just what I loved about </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> S</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">he’s Gothic and I love Gothic. The city is also h</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ome to the oldest and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">incidentally, still operating, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">bank in the world</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. W</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">e visited here only one week after t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">he famous </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Palio</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> horse race. From all directions</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> in this city</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, in order</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> to reach the main square you have to emerge underneath arches and down</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> flights of steps. T</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">hen </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">this light hits you</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> this bea</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">utiful, curved</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">‘</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">square</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">’, where you feel you have arrived in a Roman amphitheatre. It is </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">magic</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">al</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I ca</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">n only imagine the atmosphere on a</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> race day. We wandered the side streets, emerging at the Cathedral</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> where we happily paid the entra</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">nce fee (unlike Florence there wa</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">s no que</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ue</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">) and with mouths open</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, we gazed upon</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> the intricate beauty of this magnificen</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">t building. I would have loved to have </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">stayed and not </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">be obliged to jump back on to the</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> sweaty tour bus</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">If only I could have</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> stay</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">ed</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> in paradise a little bit longer.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">This tour s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">tarted at around £80</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">however</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> if you’re short on time and want to experience a few different places this is a good bet. Just be sure to wear sensible shoes and get your beauty sleep the night before.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">If I had more time and had done things a little differently</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I would have chosen Lucca over Pisa for a day trip, stayed </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">in both San </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Gimignano</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and Siena, as well as obviously Florence and i</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">f time and money had not been</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> a factor</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> while a way a day or two in Chianti in a giant turn of the century villa with a pool. I would have also loved to have seen </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="SpellingError SCXW91255324" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Clinque</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Terre but that is next on the bucket list.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{bbb3366b-c4ce-4b7f-8671-4dd3a79b148a}{211}" paraid="654289278" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">What are your go to places for touring around Tuscany? Would you still recommend Pisa? </span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">A beach trip or just a few nights in one city?</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW91255324" paraeid="{bbb3366b-c4ce-4b7f-8671-4dd3a79b148a}{217}" paraid="1995639160" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">For now</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW91255324" lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Ciao.</span><span class="EOP SCXW91255324" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0Tuscany, Italy43.7710513 11.24862080000002640.815527800000005 6.0850468000000264 46.7265748 16.412194800000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-3668644749670997642018-08-06T12:04:00.001-07:002022-02-17T08:27:35.726-08:00Feasting in Florence<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh Florence, before I arrived I had visions of pizza, domos, gelato and glamourous olive skinned girls with long rich luscious hazelnut hair and yes it is all that but much more …. and much more expensive!</div>
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Courtesy of our ever trigger happy fingers we booked an apartment with <a href="http://booking.com/">booking.com</a>. <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/my-florence-holiday.en-gb.html" target="_blank">My Florence Holiday Apartments</a> are sleek, modern and fabulously situated. This was July and in the blistering Tuscan heat the added benefit of air con was particularly welcomed. So, too, was the double balcony which we took full advantage of after a day of sightseeing, sipping a cold (true) Peroni …. absolute heaven! These apartments offered real value for money; their location was next door to the Santa Croce church (allegedly founded by Saint Francis himself) and piazza and in my view, a great place to people watch. Our apartment cost around £650 for the week in high season and could sleep two to three. It also had added benefits, such as a very modern and well-equipped kitchen, including spider burners on the hobs, coffee machine and breakfast bar. Oh, and the area is perfect for nightcaps or eating out. Conad supermarket is a stone’s throw away and the delightfully named Fuk Cocktail bar is just on the doorstep for Negroni’s and Aperol Spritzing.</div>
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Florence is a walkable city; everything is within stumbling distance, however, as little alleyways trickle into side streets and café culture assails your senses, make sure you are wearing a sensible pair of shoes! The ground is hot and my feet were swollen and after pounding the cobbles, I certainly need to take a rest. Naturally, the ‘touristy’, must see places take precedence (according to the guidebooks, anyway). The Duomo obviously really popular but the queues … bloody hell! If you really must visit, make sure to pre-book but even then, you’ll still be waiting longer than for a Northern train … though I’m told it’s well worth it) There are, of course, renaissance museums galore but for me, just wandering the streets was a cultural experience, with statues dotting the streets (with not overly impressive genitalia on show) but fuck, who am I kidding here? I came for the food, the glorious food! Not hot sausages and mustard but more sausages in a plump velvety, garlic tomato sauce.</div>
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Perhaps the first place most people want to see is the Ponte Vecchio but trust me on this one, you need to go there when the sun sets and not in the middle of the day, being jostled by thousands of other tourists. You are far better eating a gelato (and it simply must be pistachio!) when the sun pokes out through the arches and glistens against the leather and jewellery shops, reflected perfectly in the river below. Anywaayyyy, I wholeheartedly recommended a trip to the food market, the Mercato Centrale. Downstairs you’ll find the incessant yelling whilst traders and restaurant chef’s barter for the best price of the day’s finest catch and slaughter. Whilst you can get some very local dishes for next to nothing, head upstairs for the next generation of food ‘marketism’ … a new word that I’ll definitely be using a lot.</div>
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Myriad stalls littered with amazing treats, all freshly cooked from the food hub below (just in a far more elegant fashion, you see) sit on a stool, order whatever you like and in the blistering Tuscan heat (god bless air conditioning) order a Sardinian craft lager and gorge on delicious Italian specialities. Mine being a hollowed out, freshly baked baguette with homemade beef meatballs infused with oregano and the most delicious marinara sauce. Hangover food it may be but it tasted like heaven. You can also observe potential culinary masters in the making with the cooking school on site. There is also fresh seafood, meats, pizza’s and deserts …. Indeed, a mouth-watering experience for everyone.</div>
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And of course, we ate pizza, usually in a large square shape, with outlets littered about around the central city zone. Back home, any of these would be seen as exceptional but are just the norm for Florence. Move on a little bit out of the centre and go for a stroll; roam the side streets, get lost in the ‘localness’ and gradually you find houses are bigger, walls are higher, trees are taller and green spaces abound. We discovered this as we walked towards the Visarno arena to watch Jamiroquai and stopped outside a little hip joint called Fosso Bandito, a bar, pizzeria, galleria and art space combined. I read an article that said anyone who has lived in the city for a while longs for his ‘green lung’ and I felt Fosso Bandito satisfied just that. I could breathe, I could smile, I could eat and plonk my behind on one of those plush ottomans, where I could sweat off the late afternoon Tuscan sun. Gratifyingly, the pizzas are cooked in a proper, wood-fired oven. It is magical around here, with families promenading hand in hand, people on bikes or rollerblades and the sun reflecting off the Tuscan hills, painting everyone in a warm, golden glow. We were enticed into many a side street, where we might order a bottle of the local Chianti, eat Steak Florentine and sit, tired but happy, after the seemingly endless wandering of the day. We would amuse ourselves just by being able to people watch, to stare, to Instagram our culinary delights and to chat about how insanely beautiful everything was. Those are happy memories, the ones I cherish, along with the late evening nightcaps, sipping a cold, cold beer and where if there was any breeze at all, it was a glorious relief from the close heat of the day.<br />
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But there are many memories that are less vivid and a little hazy. I blame the sun! An Aperol Spirtz or two in The Joshua Tree pub and several Negronis in a bar which I don’t remember the name of! Allegedly I began talking to myself along the Ponte Vecchio (or so my husband insists!) but what I do remember of that fun day was that as the sun started to dip, everything came back into focus, a symphony of philharmonic music abounded along the main square. Close your eyes and you could be at the opera! My God, it was magic!<br />
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So go to Florence, wander, get lost, eat a pizza/gelato, have a Negroni, drink some wine but most importantly just look around you and absorb the magic of this beautiful city. </div>
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We flew to Pisa with <a href="http://jet2.com/" target="_blank">Jet2</a> from Manchester Airport and took the bus to central Florence. </div>
My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy43.7695604 11.2558136000000143.586129400000004 10.93309010000001 43.9529914 11.578537100000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-21104539706977274012017-12-04T05:47:00.003-08:002022-02-17T08:21:25.923-08:00A few days in Prague<div style="text-align: center;">
I seem to have travelled to places beginning with ‘P’ this year. Porto and Pisa and last year other parts of Portugal and everyone knows my heavy love affair with Paris … but when wanting a little bit of a break that was cheap and cheerful before Christmas, me and a girlfriend this time chose<a href="http://www.prague.eu/en" target="_blank"> Prague</a>.</div>
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We bagged ourselves a couple of flights with <a href="https://www.easyjet.com/en/" target="_blank">Easyjet</a> and after a laid-back start sipping Bacardi and Cokes (why, oh! why do I only drink these either on holiday or in departures? So refreshing and I gave up on the gin when they only had Gordon’s) at the <a href="https://www.executivelounges.com/airport-lounges/manchester-terminal-1-aspire-lounge" target="_blank">Aspire Lounge at Manchester Airport</a>, Terminal One. We were soon up, up and away, touching down only an hour and a half later. Maybe the hurricane that was looming sped up the process but it was safe, quick and bump free, just as I like it.</div>
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I checked us into <a href="https://www.hotelkavalirprague.cz/en/" target="_blank">Hotel Kavalir</a>, not because it was glamorous or particularly aesthetically pleasing. It was, though, like a jar of Ronseal … it does exactly as it says on the tin; clean, cheap and adequate, with fantastic links into the city centre and also included breakfast (hot and cold choices). My advice would be to request a back room as the trams, albeit being convenient, do run all night and go past the front of the hotel at very regular intervals, which certainly can interfere with a good night’s sleep! Oh! and one thing I cannot stress enough, take an extra pillow!</div>
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Considering this was mid to late October, we were blessed on our first few days with unseasonably warm weather. Picture postcard, cloudless skies gave us enviable views across the river and the Charles Bridge. The higher we darted and drifted towards the castle and the changing of the guard (very much recommended) more spectacular sights took our breaths away. My Instagram never looked so pretty!</div>
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The architecture of this city is beyond outstanding, it’s like a fairyland everywhere you look. Quirky, Germanic Bavarian-style houses painted in various pastel colours intermixed with contrasting shades of flowers which adorn each and every window. It’s the only city I know that can marry the style of ornate glistening gold buildings with Eastern bloc style structures, coexisting happily despite the utilitarian and uninspiring look of the latter’s façades. And talking of architecture, don’t forget to wander past the <a href="http://www.dancinghousehotel.com/en/" target="_blank">Dancing House</a> …. known as Fred and Ginger… designed by the Croatian Czech architect, Valdo Milunic, as you contort your head into various angles, wondering how this thing stays standing.</div>
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Prague is a walkable city, although it can be a little hard on the hips and thighs walking up the hills and there are many cobbles but as an alternative, the tram and buses are incredibly good value and run 24 hours a day. If a tour is more your thing, check out the array of old-school Ford’s and Mercedes for sightseeing trips around the city. The latter looking rather like the imposing vehicle Reinhard Heydrich was assassinated in when he ruled Prague with a vice-like grip during the Nazi Occupation.</div>
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We spent our days just wandering around this picturesque city (the old town is simply a must) the scenery, looking at that famous big clock and dining on many local specialities such as roasted duck with dumplings and lashings of mash and red cabbage. This made all the more tasty when washed down with an ice-cold pilsner, sat in the sunshine. It’s the only place I know where beer is cheaper than water! Have a small detour down the side streets for more hipster joints with cheaper prices, the burgers here are pretty cool. Also highly recommended is the beautiful Jewish quarter that is awash with pristine cafes and expensive designer labels and has an elegance more akin to Paris than what one would initially expect of Prague. I could have happily maxed a credit card (if I had one) around here and whiled away a very long lunch with the ladies that I’m sure do in this part of the city. Prague also has an array of green and outdoor spaces where you can simply sit and admire the view and people watch (the 90’s are big here) and best doing this with a local delicacy ‘Trdelnik’, a spun pastry that is surprisingly light, caramelised and dusted with sugar and I had mine stuffed with Nutella. Very, very lush!<br />
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We scoured the usual shopping joints we are familiar with back home to see if there were any cheap alternatives and some European chains we no longer see in the UK but the vintage scene was surprisingly disappointing compared to other Eastern European destinations. Budapest being my absolute favourite and I’ll write a separate post about that in the next few weeks. Most seem to be more retro than anything else …Levi’s, flannel shirts and the like. And the one I did want to</div>
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see, as I’d heard such good things about, <a href="http://bohemianretro.com/" target="_blank">Bohemian Retro</a>, was closed on the day I wanted to visit and the hours it was open seemed very erratic. If anyone has any recommendations for second-hand stores, please send me your links. I do, unashamedly, admit that I was a big kid in Hamley’s toy store (the largest in central Europe, no less) riding the carousel and sliding down the giant slide with the same glee as a giddy toddler. As Carrie Bradshaw famously said ‘Shopping is my cardio.’ Well, I’ll say ‘Amen’ to that! … albeit with a drink at the end and in several different cities, naturally.<br />
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For night life in Prague I was expecting rowdy stag do’s and drunken teenager’s but we found it to be very alternative and cultured. We got our glad rags on, me in sequin trousers and an acid jazz blazer and my friend in her traditional, sophisticated black palette where we dined on refined fare at one of Prague’s most famous café’s, ‘<a href="https://www.cafeslavia.cz/en/" target="_blank">Slavia</a>’. Here, we sipped on bone dry Czech Riesling, whilst listening to the professional pianist and with views across to the National Theatre. We then made our way a few blocks down to <a href="http://www.jazzrepublic.cz/" target="_blank">‘Jazz Republic’</a>, situated in an old school bunker, listening to a fabulous band whilst sipping the freshest and tastiest frozen Mojito’s known to mankind. Prague has a great jazz scene but I thoroughly recommend this place not only for the amazing atmosphere and that you so easily make friends with your neighbours but it’s also free entry and to book a table. Another successful day had come to end and there is nothing quite like seeing Prague at night, either … the old town just looks even more magical in artificial light.<br />
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On our second to last day, we once again crossed the famous bridge, heading towards the ‘John Lennon’ wall where daubings of graffiti and neon slogans litter this giant wall where a pilgrimage of young Czech’s would pay homage and write messages about the man who was killed, incredibly, thirty-seven years ago. It really is a peaceful place even when there is a mass of people there. Nearby, the <a href="http://www.museumkampa.com/en/" target="_blank">Museum Kampa</a> had a fabulous Manolo Blahnik exhibition on which we happily got ‘Caried’ away with … see what I did there?! Manolo’s father was Czech and this beautiful exhibition showcased some of his most famous designs, all exquisitely handmade with the utmost care and precision. Included in the exhibition were the gowns and fur-trimmed shoes of his designs for the Sophia Coppola film, Marie Antoinette, which I can</div>
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thoroughly recommend to all. For our last supper, we dined at an elegant Italian restaurant, which was a very traditional affair with dark wood, traditional, red and white checked tablecloths and very attentive waiters.</div>
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A fitting end to a very enjoyable trip.</div>
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We flew to Prague with Easyjet. Prices start from £29.99. Hotel Kavalir single rooms start from £30 and include breakfast. Tram return journeys cost an average of 40p (yes, you heard that right!) and a beer will set you back around £2.00. A meal with wine for two will cost around £30. </div>
My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-17132947826877547732017-11-08T11:15:00.002-08:002018-09-20T06:24:52.233-07:00Taberninha do Manel<div style="text-align: center;">
I like little dimly lit places; I’ve already told you that. The light is flattering and the atmosphere is romantic but slightly melancholic. The décor is usually retro and that’s just how I like it. In Porto, we stumbled across <a href="https://www.facebook.com/taberninhadomanelgaia">‘Taberninha do Manel’</a> as it happened to be conveniently right next to Calem … where, after our tour and an amazing port or two we were in desperate need of ‘FOOODDD’.</div>
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Wooden benches are the norm here, so take a seat and enjoy the mood. In fact, wood is everywhere … just check out the wine rack at the bar. The menu has an extremely healthy amount of local tapas, offerings are printed ever so quaintly and there are many to choose from. We dined on a spicy tomato broth of large mussels with silky caramelised onions. I, of course, am a little ashamed to say I made the cardinal sin of drinking this unbelievably delicious sauce straight from the shells. These were the real deal, so plump and fresh. All served in cute little terracotta bowls.</div>
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We paired this with a plate of two-year-old prosciutto, which was salty, sweet and delicious and plump, garlicky Portuguese olives trickled with herbs. Then came what was possibly the biggest taste sensation I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing … baked sheep’s cheese, layered on slices of freshly baked cornbread and drizzled with densely rich local honey. Oh, my days! My mouth has been watering at the memory ever since.</div>
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Of course, this had to be washed down with some wine. A Douro vintage of course. The best part being that not only were we offered a few free rounds of Port … no rushing you away and the bills don’t come quickly here. When it sadly came time to say farewell to this truly amazing eatery, we were very pleasantly surprised at just how reasonable the cost was.</div>
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Taberninha do Manel is located on the <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">4405-111, Av. de Diogo Leite 308, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal</span>.and has a beautiful view of Porto just over the Dom Luis bridge. 4 Tapas and a bottle of vintage red came to approximately £35.00.</div>
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My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-74509472655038203462017-10-26T03:15:00.001-07:002022-02-17T08:25:15.691-08:00Picturesque Porto<div style="text-align: center;">
With my heart and soul completely blown away by the delights of Lisbon, I thought I would take the opportunity to see how Portugal’s second compared to the capital. We arrived in Porto at the start of October, on a blissfully warm day and transferred immediately to our apartment … <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/rs-porto-apartments.en-gb.html">RS Porto Apartments</a> …just a stone’s throw from Portugal’s oldest hospital, the Santa Maria.<br />
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Our accommodation was ideal, in a quiet area of the city away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Life goes by at a slower pace here but with everything, one needs within strolling distance, including a very nice restaurant directly opposite. This eaterie was a hit with the cool kids and we enjoyed the generous portions of freshly grilled chicken on offer. The supermarket, ‘Pingo Doce’ was only a block and a half away and as with many European supermarkets, it was more like a sophisticated deli rather than a clinically clean and uninspiring food store which is typical of most British towns and cities; full of colour, fresh produce and the best bit … very, very cheap booze!<br />
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Anyway, I digress. Back to our apartment, which could have come straight out of the pages of IKEA magazine. It was clean, modern and bright, with the added modern conveniences of a dishwasher, coffee machine, electric blinds that offered the full blackout experience (perfect for sleeping) and a very large and plush shower. Once you’ve picked up your cheap booze, there are not one but two balconies to enjoy your nightcap and people watch. After checking in, we decided to wander into the centre of the city … around about 20 minutes’ walk completely downhill in the blazing Portuguese sun. This short walk was interrupted by a pit stop at the local Hard Rock Café for one of their legendary burgers (a tradition I keep in almost every city I visit). This local version was particularly good with caramelized onions steeped in Port wine ... what else would you expect?! With our bellies full and our thirst suitably sated, following a pint of dark Sagres, off we trotted to the river. On our stroll, we passed the Sao Bento railway station (possibly the most beautiful station I’ve come across to date). It’s typical blue and white tiles matching those I had marvelled at in Lisbon, though on a far greater scale. We admired café culture in full swing, with hip Portonians smoking, drinking, laughing and enjoying life to the full. We were also greeted by an epic view of the fabulous Dom Luis I bridge, such a fabulous sight from either side of the Douro. We watched the sun go down in a local bar with a glass of vintage Portuguese red and the river sparkling with the lights of the night, including the neon signs of all the Port distilleries ….Port you usually only buy at Christmas time or see around your Grans! Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Taylor’s, it’s all here. Day 1 had been a delight.</div>
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After a blissful sleep and a leisurely breakfast, it was time to explore this fabulous city. Porto is so pretty from any angle but if you’re by the river clearly the higher you go the more you can see. After crossing the most famous of Porto’s bridges, take a turn up the cobbled streets and some steep steps and there is a fabulous sky bar where we enjoyed a custard tart (a local delicacy) and a cold beer. You could happily spend hours here watching the boats, the people, and the architecture. It’s a fabulous little sun trap, too, so don’t forget your hat and your sunglasses!<br />
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More happy wandering took place, finding pretty little spots to admire and enjoy, and getting lost in the city down side streets. By the evening, we stumbled across the hip and happening part of Porto’s nightlife which we had obviously come out far too early for! But happy hour had started … hooray! We ended up in ‘<a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/fabrikbar/">Fabrik</a>’, a cool and slick industrial looking bar with dark red lighting, where we enjoyed some cooling Sangria. All the cool cats of Porto would definitely be heading down here on the Rua Galeria de Paris much later when these night owls fill the streets and bunting hangs from window to window. If I was back home this would be Manchester’s Northern Quarter, albeit with much more sunshine. Tonight we fine dined and chose ‘<a href="http://www.restaurantebook.pt/">Book</a>’, where the interior references Porto’s literary scene (J K Rowling used to teach English here and the famous bookshop, which presents itself as one of the inspirations behind the Harry Potter books, is a major tourist trap). Inside, ‘Book’ looks like a little independent library and we were treated exceptionally well by the friendly and efficient staff who immediately greeted us with a glass of cold Portuguese fizz. We dined on tuna carpaccio and a sumptuous dish of fresh hake with clams. At the end of the meal, we shared a traditional pudding and were recommended a 12-year-old Port to help wash it down. What an end to another fabulous day in this wonderful city.<br />
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Of course, you cannot come to Porto and not have a tour around the distilleries. For the exceptional price of 10 euros you just must visit <a href="https://tour.calem.pt/#en">Calem </a>and have a sample of two different port’s and these are ‘grandmothers’ measures… no namby pamby, measured amounts here. It’s also a fabulously informative tour full of history and a very hands-on experience with different smells and pictures and maps, colours and textures. Who knew one vat could hold 55 thousand litres? And who also knew that Port also can be white and even rose? You learn something new every day!<br />
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One of the best things about Porto and indeed, Lisbon, is that you’re close to the sea. On our last day, we ventured down to the beach which took us past some of the plushest and prettiest real estate in the city. Large palatial villas with palm trees and secure, voice activated and key coded gates. There are large spaces of green around here, perfect for a picnic. The sea is choppy but undeniably glorious and a stunning colour as the Atlantic smashes against the rocks. As you walk back towards Porto, the restaurants and beach bars abound along the sand, DJ's play chilled beats and people sip G&T’s all along the oceanfront. Once the sea turns back to the estuary, locals fish and take their boats out to the ocean. Around here the pace of life is chilled and relaxed, the seafood is outstanding and as the sun sets once more on this head-turning city, you feel totally at peace.</div>
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I flew to Porto with <a href="https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/">Ryanair</a> from <a href="https://www.liverpoolairport.com/">Liverpool John Lennon Airport</a>. Prices start from just £29.99. My apartment was booked through <a href="http://booking.com/">booking.com</a> with RS Porto Apartments price for 4 nights was exceptional value at £211.</div>
My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0Porto, Portugal41.1579438 -8.62910529999999241.0623098 -8.7904667999999919 41.253577799999995 -8.467743799999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-46457248962955033752017-10-09T04:19:00.000-07:002018-09-20T06:41:24.139-07:00A Outra Face da Lua<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Off a side street, down a cobbled lane where people leisurely sit outside in brightly coloured suits and top hats and languish over cups of strong Portuguese coffee and order a mimosa with their brunch is an amazing little fashion spot called <a href="http://www.aoutrafacedalua.com/">A Outra Face da Lua</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Inside are rows and rows of pretty pearls, fascinators, hats, old luggage cases, glam dresses and enviably perfectly presented victory rolled haired staff. Can you think of a more appropriate place to spend a leisurely long lunch? Who wants to do their vintage shopping with a cocktail? Why I do of course. Once you are perfectly cocktailed and kitted out and looking for your next fix of vintage where do you go? Well right opposite actually as there is another shop just there. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif; font-size: 30px;">A Outra Face da Lua </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">R. Assunção 22, 1100-044 Lisboa, Portugal</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.87); font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif; font-size: 30px;">Viuva Alegre</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">R. Assunção 56, 1100-571 Lisboa, Portugal</span></div>
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My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-23424602644560899222017-09-04T03:12:00.002-07:002022-02-17T08:23:46.779-08:00Pensao Amor <div style="text-align: center;">
To be considered great, to me a bar has to have a few essential characteristics; they have to serve decent gin, they have to be dimly lit, they need to be hard to find and last but not least, have a quirky and unique interior. <a href="http://www.pensaoamor.pt/PT/">‘Pensao Amor’</a> ticked all those boxes … it is off the beaten track, although not far from the main square and down a side street (on the Rua do Alecrim to be precise) where all the bars have no obvious entrances or signage. Pensao Amor means, at least according to google translator anyway, ‘think love’. A not totally inappropriate name, given that it used to be a brothel! And with that I couldn’t wait to get upstairs. …. though just for a drink, obviously!</div>
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Oooh Matron </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The décor and ambience certainly reflected it’s previous history and no doubt would raise more than a smile for some patrons. Salacious and titillating images, faux-classic noir art, velvet seats and animal print benches with tacky, whorehouse chic chandeliers. I just wanted to have it flat-packed and take it home with me.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The loos were well worth a visit just on their own, with the ‘art’ on display somewhat immodest to say the least. Miniature figurines portraying a variety of sexual acts for the amusement and titillation of those relieving themselves. The pole in the bar was just too inviting (thank God it was only one in the afternoon and no one was around to see my Sally Bowles moment!). No getting away with that in a vintage Caroline Charles jacket.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The bar was dimly lit naturally and as always when I’m in a hot climate, I ordered a classic Negroni. My companion on this trip opted for a mojito and by heaven, were they good. We sat, attempting an air of sophistication, in-between the old chesterfields and imagined it was the sort of place Mata Hari would come to dance for her supper. The Pensao Amor has to be in the top three bars I have visited anywhere in the world. Come here, I dare you, just make sure you dress appropriately…. or should that be inappropriately?!</span></div>
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My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-256515987741500079.post-46026819231309188512017-09-04T02:39:00.001-07:002022-02-17T08:22:42.934-08:00A week in Lisbon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I’d heard many things about Lisbon before visiting the city. Mainly that it was looking rather run down; a bit like a gifted and artistic younger brother who is too tired and lazy to clean his room. It is a capital city but without the glitzy razzmatazz of a Paris or Rome or an obvious weekend break destination like Prague or Amsterdam. But that didn’t bother me, it was my birthday, it was early March and it was bloody hot. Psst! Don’t tell everyone but you can fly there as cheap as chips from many UK airports with Portugal’s <a href="https://www.flytap.com/en-gb/">national airline</a> (and yes, that does include a generous luggage allowance, a meal, and a cold Sagres).</div>
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Upon landing, we transferred straight to our wonderfully authentic 17th-century apartment in the historic Alfama district. If you are staying in one of these gems (and I very much suggest you do) expect tiny spiral staircases, beautifully bijou rooms (duck or grouse, as they say!)) and neighbours who talk to each other at a frantic pace across the street, whilst drying their washing, draped over balconies.</div>
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Our location was perfect … within a stone’s throw a view of the pantheon, pastel coloured houses, the sea that twinkles with lights from the opposite bay and a small, green park with a great café bar selling chilled beers and playing funky beats. Where else in a European capital can you get two rounds with a sea view for less than 5 Euros? I utterly recommend sitting here and watching the world go by after a hard day sightseeing or better yet, reward yourself by finding a vintage gem at the famous flea market, the Fiera Da Ladra, just across the park.<br />
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<b>Wine with a View</b><br />
<b><br /></b> It has to be said that you earn your views when walking around Lisbon … it’s built on seven hills. With each step, you are rewarded with the most spectacular sights, with one beautiful and impressive building after another and fabulous street art, whether that be poetry or pictures. But if the walks are a little bit too much, you can catch a ride on the old tram (number 28 being the most famous). I’ll leave these pictures here for a moment. The architecture of this city is undeniably stunning, though a little rough around the edges; faded elegance maybe but definitely elegantly wasted. There is nothing better than getting lost in this city, in its endless alleyways with the faint sounds of Fado, echoing in the distance. For the best view, head to St Georges Castle, climb to the top and grab a bottle of the local vino from the inspired truck shop, ‘Wine with a View’ and watch the sun set over this glorious city. If you like your views with an element of danger, then grab a standing cable car over Lisbon Zoo and look down in trepidation as you are dangled over the lion's enclosure. Gulp!<br />
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Of course, some of us modern folk need our history in small doses and if you are after the more vibrant side of the city, take a train ride to Parque das Nacoes. This is home to one of the largest aquariums in the world with an ultra-modern marina, edgy and ultra-hip apartments and brand new shops. Grab a cable car and ride up and the down with the sea beneath your feet.<br />
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You are in for a real treat if you are a foodie, and in my view, Lisbon is seriously underrated in this respect. Start your day as the locals do, with a hit of the local beverage, ‘Ginjinha’, a sour cherry liquor that is incredibly moreish for only 1 euro and served at ‘hole’s in the wall’ all over the city. To eat the cherry or not? You decide! Local specialities are plentiful, including Peri Peri chicken, spatch-<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">cocked and simply grilled (yes it is bloody better than Nando’s!.) As a coastal city, the national dish of salted cod is delicious, as are the sardines. I’ve now become a huge fan of these fish, bulk buying them in tins and having them simply on toast or with pasta and drizzled with fresh lemons. They also love their meat sandwiches here, be it steak or pork …. the joke being that they are the pudding course here! Of course, you cannot come to Lisbon or indeed Portugal, without eating one of the orgasmic custard pastry tart confections. I could happily eat </span>these morning<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">, noon and night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: start;">I love Lisbon, it’s, without doubt, one of my favourite European cities. It's friendly, it's cheap and for me, it was a true revelation. You have this otherworldly atmosphere of European, South American and African cultures all mixing and vibing together. It has the feeling and looks of a San Francisco or Rio. It’s also by the sea …. what more could you ask for? It’s what they call the ‘the big little city’ and I urge you all to visit, it’s a diamond in the rough …. just wait till I tell you about the vintage shops and the bar that used to be a brothel!</span></div>
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This place certainly gives you tile envy!</div>
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(You'll find polka dot stingray's and animalprint fish in the aquarium. Even the <a href="https://www.oceanario.pt/en">fish</a> are fashionable)</div>
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Till next time. Tchau.</div>
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My love affair with Europehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352592126515237372noreply@blogger.com0