Hello Italy.....well it is definitely colder here with a crisp wind blowing across the port. Most people visit the central Italian city of Ravenna for its superb Byzantine mosaics - and rightly so, for they are the finest outside Istanbul. A 30 minute drive inland took us to the city of Ravenna with a population of approximately 140,000. It looks much like any other Italian city at first glance, with old streets, fine shops and peaceful squares, but the Byzantin...

Murano glass Ride through the canals of Venice in the most romantic of vessels- the gondola- sipping champagne. Pity the girls on tour and I had to share this moment together!!!!

Ferrara’s origins date back to the 7th-8th century. During the High Middle Ages it was under the lordship of a number of powerful Earls, of whom little though is known. In 1385 a dangerous revolt convinced Niccolò II d’Este of the need to erect mighty defences for himself and his family; thus the Castello di San Michele was built, a fortress erected against the people. Its imposing proportions, its moat, its drawbridges and its towers date back t...

We started the day with our own Anzac Day ceremony at a lovely memorial overlooking the blue waters of the Cote D'Azur. Visited the historic, iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa...........Just as I imagined except I didn't realise that the leaning tower is surrounded by other buildings. The things you learn. Spent the rest of the day seeing the sights of Florence - Giotto's Bell Tower, Baptistery, Signoria Square, Sante Croce. Cant help but stand in awe of these magni...