Holland. |
Holland – It's a great feeling to arrive in a new place and know you are going to enjoy your visit there. I do enjoy meeting the Dutch people wherever I am. I was fortunate to meet and make friends here and see life as the locals do. I loved the bike culture, the waterways and bridges, the beer (not gear) tasted divine and if you are a ‘apprentice flower nut’ like myself, you will love the flower markets of Amsterdam (worth the flight money alone)! The sight of the tulip fields in May, are breathtaking. |
| Greece - The
abiding memory of Crete was that it was too bloody hot! When you can't
walk to the local shop at 10a.m. without covering up the skin, no thank
you. Because of this I saw a lot more of the island than first
planned. To be fair there are strong memories, a long walk through the Samaria Gorge with a swim right after, watching buzzards rising on the thermals, the tastiest boiled potatoes (no one beats my Dads roasters) I will ever have - even if I live 10 lifetimes! |
Sissi, Crete. |
Montmartre. |
France – or
should I say Paris. We were lost continually, but eventually turning the
right corner to see le Tour Eiffel loom upward in the night
sky, later watching the city twinkle under our feet from high, it was worth
all the effort. To walk and cruise along the river Seine, the city streets
and mingle amongst the artists of the Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur
watching the city light up as the sun set.
Mind you the hotel and room brought us back down to earth! Oh, and we were on a Dutch speaking tour for two days, but don’t ask! |
| Italy – This country had everything, even rain- (and we Mancunians know a thing or two about that). We fell in love with a local snack, Pia Dina - a combination of local ham, mayonnaise, rucola (rocket) served in a thin, hard bread mmm and don’t start me writing about the heavenly ice cream, my eyes were the size of plates whenever I saw them. The Vatican, St.Peter’s and museum were humbling experiences, the Raphael ceiling leading to the Sistine Chapel, my words could not do it justice. The architecture and views around Florence and drive through the Tucson countryside were other highlights as were the small villages found away from the tourist areas. | 
Duomo, Florence. |
