Venice   Florence   Siena & St Gimignano   Rome   Links
 

      This is my girlfriend's 1st time and my 3rd time in three years to visit Europe. For one who were new to backpacking, my girlfriend was so exciting but afraid that she couldn't handle it well, so I planned to give us 13days expierencing the greatest "activity" in the world. Besides, left all things behind but sharing our most romantic and treasure moment together.  However 13 days wouldn't be enough to see lots of places. Thus, Italy, I think would be the best place to go in addition to its historic sites, and beautiful scenery etc. In my opinion Italy is the basic country for beginner.

Feb 14th

     We exchanged our engaged rings to each other on Velentine's day, and ready for our pre-honeymoon.
 

Feb 15th

     We left Taipei internation airport landed Milan,Italy on 21:50 TPE time. I chatted with a nice Canadian women sat beside me from Taiwan to my first transit Hong Kong. She was about in her age of 45 to 50, talktive and well-learned, also very interesting. She said she had been traveled by herself for about 6 months and interested about Asia stuffs. Well, I always had a wish to travel around the globe and interested in different cultures and did my backpacking several times about 15 countries. We both seemed to have the same hobby to chat, so the conversation seemed never stop until we landed HongKong. We chatted about everything most on travelling things and cultural differences between western and eastern world. That was a quite a chat.Very nice to talked to her, but at the end I was blamed by my girl friend who had been long ignored. hehe.......
 
 

Feb 16th

      Arrived in Milan airport, and took the shuttle bus to the train station, and then headed to Venice. When the train acrossed the big bridge,  we knew we arrived. First we went for a free map in the tourist information office located in the Santa Lucia train station in case of the alleys and canals of complication in Venice. According to my experiences, Venice is easy and fun to play, with or without maps. "You won't need them, because you'll get lost anyway! ".

      We jumped on vaporetti headed to Rialto, then our trip really started. For  place to stay, we were on pre-honeymoon, and needed more privacy; we didn't decide to stay in the hostel, although that's the fun place. I'd never stayed in Al Gambero before, but it was recommended several times by some travellers; Thus, I booked the room there in advance for 2 nites before our trip started.

      After a long while of walking and wasted too much time on finding the way to Al Gambero, we got there, finally! I surely have to praise the hospitable staffs, clean and cosy rooms where we stayed. Then we entered the room, which was not a big one but with a pleasing atmosphere that we was so moved with it. We moved to the window, and let it open; watched the lovers kissed and caressd to each other on the gondola; How romantic!  Soonly we can't help ourself for....... until the old lady beyond the canal open her window , politely nodded and smiled to us in friendly fashion, it seemed that she's joyed for us.
 
 

Feb 17th

      We got up late, but had the local breakfast in time. After that, we went to the most famous and the only square in Venice, St. Marco. It was not too crowd in Venice, because it still the off season, and yet festival. We took some pictures and then wandered about the narrow alleys along the canels with the long-for laidback feelings.

      In the way, a man hauled us and said that he worked for city govenment promoted "free" water taxi to Murano island. I doubt it but who care if it's free or not, then we  jumped on, and the driver started the engine and drived us there. When the taxi stopped, a man came out from some glass factory welcomed us in, and told us the story of Venician glass, then showed us their marvellous products; Amazing though, I wouldn't buy it. Well, I knew the taxi free then, but felt a little embarassed without buying a thing, since I'd been on their taxi.

      Left the factory we strolling aimlessly on the road ,or sitted on the canal bank, talking to each other with joys and laughters. We went back to St Marco in the afternoon, sipped the Venician Capuccino, tasted the sweet cakes, as well wrote our journals, and watched the crowds. Well, I have to say the coffee in Italy is really tasty and smell good, especially in Venice.

      Time for dinner, we chose our favorite "Chinese food". It's almost the same with Taiwanese food. We didn't want local food cause of they put too many "cheese", but not too bad sometimes. In the chinese ristorante, we had a old waitress kept talking about the problems between Taiwan and China. We hate that, because we are obviouslty two countries under two different govenning systems, why bother? We fulled and out on the street to found the way back to where we stay, but we seemed lost in the twisted and intricated alleys again. Whatever! we were on vacation. Everything must be slow and calm. I don't remember how far we walked, but at the moment we urgently for a bathroom; Checked the map and went there for it. After solving the tolliote problem, we lost again! sign! Venice.
 
 

Feb 18th

      Late again, almost late for breakfast. However, we were fast enough for that! Went back for packing ourself ready, downstair to wave goodbye to the staffs, then headed to Santa Lucia for tickets to Florence. Well, there was no train to Florence in the morning, then we went for a coffee to killed the time, took shots, and wandered around the nearby markets, that was fun.

      The time moving fast, have to say goodbye to Venice. We jumped on the train, it was crowded all the way to Florence, but luckily we had seats. The train went slowly, and we arrived in nearly 10:00PM ( Far late behind the time table). To find the hotel is the most annoyed thing for me to do. I made calls and got the address of the hotel, and prepared for another "lost again" with carring our almost 15 kilos backpack; Oh,my!

      We were very lucky to have a discount room in the 3 stars hotel for 2 stars price! Well, I have to say the "lost" was quite worth. The room was "huge" with 2 double bed and a single, and the roof was almost 5 meters high. After checked in, we out for our late dinner and a short walk. It's the third time I'd been here; Honestly, I loved Venice more then big Florence, however Florence is also must-see in Italy, we all know.
  

  

   We stayed in Al Gambero, Venice, for 3 days, and shared the most treasure moment together. Cosy room, and nice canal view.
 
 

Feb 19th

      The breakfast in Hotel le Cascine was quite nice, they serve American breakfast, included in room price; Very reasonable. We originally planned to stay for another nite, but the receptionist  told us all booked out, so we went right across the street for a pensione and checked in, I forgot it's name; The maneger there was kind and informative. That place is quite nice like home and facing the Duomo, Unfortunately no private show, but they serve breakfast in your room.

      Chatted the manager awhile, we soon resumed our journey. Our route started from the train station way down to the Piazza della Signoria. This area is where the most Renaissance architectures concentrated. We had no specific things or places to go, just enjoy the moment being together; Besides, we were here to see and experience different cultures and different things, so there was no rush a all. After a long walk we soon got tired and hungry. We went for a chinese food. Yummy!

      I didn't have too many preparations for Florence before we arrived, and I wouldn't like to spend our time in musuems where I'd been there already. Soonly we got boring and tired about trecking in the crowds. We decided to advance the scheduel, and went checking the bus time for Siena tomorrow morning.
 
 

  
        Piazza della Signoria                   A view from Ponte Vecchio
 
 

Feb 20th

      We checked out the homey pansione around 9:30AM, and rushed to the bus stop. I have to say the way to Siena was a long ride with not many exciting view to see, and the widing road and the shaking bus made us felt sick. but luckily we were quite enjoy the mood traveling together, that relieve us better. About one and a half hour ride, we here.

      First, we checked in at a hotel, and I couldn't wait to show my girl friend the shell-liked square which is totally different from any other sqaures in Europe ( I should say that). I remember I was fascinated about this medieval town, especially this sqaure. I told myself I would back here again; Moreover, the coffee shop in the square was great,too.  I'd like to share that with my girl friend this time. Doing nothing but drinking coffee and seeing people playing or sunbath in the shell, that would be a interesting thing to do. Everything would become fun and interesting, when with the one you love, right? When we reached there, we both "wow!" and couldn't wait to take pictures.

      We toured circlely around the town and imagined that we lived here. When we tired, we have the beautiful square and nice coffee shop for resting; When time to eat, we go to restaurants for our delicious food and wine;  Although they only got two or three chinese restaurants, but that's enough for us . Peaceful and laidback feeling came to our mind, what a living!

      My girl friend and I love european medieval towns very much, and I told her a stories I saw on the internet that many couples who fond of travelling have their own little towns as memory. We both thought how romantic that was and we should have ours as well, since we're so in love with each other. Finally, St. Gimignano was our decision. Yes, that's it!
 
 

Feb 21st

      We got up late for breakfast, so we rushly grabbed a pizza from a take-away after checked out that hotel, then we went to the bus stop and went back to Florence by afternoon. We planned stayed there for one nite, then detoured to our "little town"before Rome.

      The two-star hotel we stayed was shabby, and mean staffs; I've forgoten its name, or I'll post it on the internet. That was the worst memory during this trip! Sucks! Whatever! we stayed for only one night. we would stay in Rome tomorrow night then.
 
 

Feb 22nd

      The bus headed to St. Gimignano would be around 9:30, so we checked out early and packed all our things. The way to St. Gimignano you have to transit in the middle of the way; It's very easy.

      St. Gimignano is a very small and well-preserved medeival town. Walk from the south to the north, you'll spend not more than 20 mins. We chose it as our "little town" for no reason, just love it and something like a " we have our own town which is beautiful like here". It's beautiful indeed. We wandered about most of the streets and alleys, then found a citadel where you can see the whole town and some litlle villages on the mountains in these area. We sat there enjoy the tranquility and chatted for a little while, went down for lunch in a local restaurant in town center.

      Time to leave. It's very hard to say goodbye to this beautiful place. We felt like to stayed here longer, but can't. Took a long bus ride back to Florence train station. Our train to Rome would be on 8:30 PM, so we still got time for coffee, chatted about our "little town" which we would never forget. Ouch! almost late for our train, we ran fastly back to the train station, and jumped up in our train to Rome---our final destination of this trip.
 
 
 

  

  
         St. Gimignano                 Kitties in St. Gimignano, fat and hairy.
 
 

       From Florence train station to Rome took us not more than two hours. Pretty fast! We had made a reservation for a pensinne near Vatican. When we reached there and called the host, it seemed no one answered the phone. Only saw a french couple kindly told us the host was not live here and it's late so he went home, and he left no home number in this pensinne and neither key of the room for us. Ouch! it's almost 10:30 PM, and we gotta find another hotel, I'd been told the notorius problem of social security in Rome, so I took out the guide book and trying to find some place easy and safe to stay.

      We found a nice 2 stars hotel near the train station. I phoned the staff we would like to stay there for 2 nights, and we'd be there in minnutes. Jumped up the metro and back to the train station. The hotel was not hard to find. It just on the street at the right hand side of the station. Well, I have to say that the appearance of this building was very old and shabby, but the inside was a totally deffirent world. The staff told us the hotel was renovated last year, and he gave us the best room and discount the price to regular ones due to there were lots of school boys booked out most of the rooms. How nice! After checked in at that hotel, we out for our late dinner. It's late and nothing to see, besides we were out of this place, and not too sure of our safety to walking on the streets this late. So we had a delicious local cuisine and went back to the hotel preparing our schedule for tomorrow.
 
 
 

Feb 23rd

      We definately short of time to see Rome within 2 days. So we decided to concentrate on some must-sees. We got up early, grabbed some breads, and started the tight schedule. We took the metro to Vatican, and started our walking tour from St. Peter's Basilica & Square which is the most famous church in the Christian world, and took pictures in the Piazza San Pietro, then went our way to Basilica di San Maria degli Angeli, and then strolled about the streets, also imagined that we lived and wandring among the old buildings in the ancient Rome. That was fun! Because in Asia, we don't have such buildings like these. Suddenly, huge crowds pulled us back to reality when we reached Trevi Fountain. We tossed the coins and made a wish.....then went for lunch in a nearby chinese restaurant.

      I found that we got all kinds of informations and well assistance in many tourist offices scattered on Roman streets. That makes Rome much easier to play. After lunch, we went to the tourist office to get a free city map, and tried to find the nearest metro entrance. We got there and "Boo"! The line to Colosseum was on strike, and one guy told us it would reopen in the afternoon. So we desided to "walk" to Colosseum. It was not too far I thought. Well, after a long while of walking. Finally, we here. Although we felt tired and thirsty while roaming at the ancient ruins, but it was worth a visit. Amazing! After a short stay, we carried our way to the famous shopping district in Spanish Steps. We looked over many famous brands with shinning eyes, but not prepared to buy too many thing to carrying with us. How pitty! Although I once was a brand chaser, so did my girl friend. Well, it was worthwhile to spend us half day there anyway.

      By evening, we went to some other places according to the walking tour of our guide book, and we found we back to Colosseum again. Sun was going down and I was thinking of going back to the hotel, and then we went to the metro. Oh, my! they're still on strike! Well, that's not a big problem, we still had the other transpotation----bus. So we sat on the sidewalk and waiting for the bus.

      Time flew fast, and not seeing a bus! Ouch! How could such a thing happened in the big city Rome? What could we do now? We wouldn't like to spend unacceptable price on Taxi, and there seemed no other transpotations could took us back. We waited still and then a horrible feeling came right at the time. We urgently needed to a bathroom! I couldn't stand any longer!!!!! So we decided to go back on foot and first thing to do was to found a place to solve our urgent  problem. Oooooh! finally! No thing better than this feeling!

      The night in Rome was also beautiful. Less crowds and less vehicles. No cars or motocycles screeching or horning on the streets. We were quite enjoy the night in Rome. Well, it's a pity that this was the last night we would stay in Rome as well the trip. We would be on the airplane going home tomorrow. We chatted along the way, and made a stop for snakes, then back to hotel to pack our backpack.
 
 
 
 

    Basilica di San Maria degli Angeli         A view from a bridge in Rome
 
 
 

Feb 24th
 

      Well, nothing more to tell because this was our last day in Rome also in Italy. We checked out at our hotel, grabbed our backpacks, and headed to the train station waiting for the express train to the airport to go home--Taiwan .We did nothing on the train, but chatting and thinking about the interesting things we had been through during the trip; we smiled. Then we holding and kissing each other until I found that two ladies sitting confront us smiled as we had been had on the first day in the hotel in Venice. Well, I love the Italian smiles that made us feel warm in this trip. They asked us something in their only language--Italian that we don't speak. They soonly knew that we don't speak Italian, so the body language became our only way to talk. Our hands chatted fun, although hardly underderstood them well. I guessed that they seemed to ask us "Are we newlywed on honeymood?", and then they showed us their ring fingers which they had three rings worn on, and trying to tell us what those rings mean in Italian tradition. We chatted until we arrived at the airport. After they helped us taking pictures we then waved goodbye to each other. Well, they were very nice persons!  After about 18 hours on the airplane, we arrived in our home!