Monday 17th June- hotel quite soulless- but close to everything Meandering thru cobbled laneways- found ourselves in Palazzo Vecchio near the Uffizi Gallery ( where David in all his glory hangs out)- was swarming with police, dignitaries, TV journalists and photographers- we had stumbled in to Franco Zefirelli’s funeral entourage arrival.( he was born in Florence) Coffee needed - then continued our wandering finding a treasure trove of shopping- leather, shoes...

Sunday 16th June Goodbye Monterosso- now off to Florence by train. Change at Piza - short trip - and our hotel is in middle of the city - metres from station- thank you Amy ( our travel agent). Found a great restaurant for a late lunch/ early dinner - watched a procession of men dressed in colourful medieval costume - apparently in the different soccer team colours leading the way to a soccer carnival. Walked around the Duomo - awe inspiring, tried to find a m...

Saturday 15th June No swim as it is actually cooler today - may try for this afternoon. Set off by boat to see the other 4 villages- sea very rough so couldn’t moor at Vernazza, they don’t try at Corniglia, we decided to jump ship at Manarola.( with almost all the other passengers!] - tried the walk from Manarola to Riomaggiore- but blocked by rockfall several years ago and still not cleared). So we caught the train to this most southern village. Had lunch...

Friday 14th June Today we travelled from Sorrento to Monterosso ( Cinque Terre)- this took 4 changes of trains - and we managed to be on time for them all. Must say train travel is great - see the country side, no long waiting as in airports - and the Italians are coming up trumps with running on schedule. Arrived Monterosso mid afternoon - cute hotel ( love these owner run little ones) - went for stroll along the water - dinner in restaurant overlooking the oc...

Thursday 13th June - bit of a drama last night - bl....y fan in bathroom wouldn’t turn off- so in my sleep state pulled a cord hanging from ceiling - as you do - stupidly thinking it could turn it off.WRONG - it set off an alarm - so our room was beeping - no one came - alarm for WHAT???? Rang the owner - very grumpy - do not touch cord again - what the hell is it there for???? Naughty me causing drama Booked a day trip along the Amalfi Coast - it is very haz...