From Venice to Florence - About half a days drive to get to a city which is just as equally scenic and beautiful as the other. Our drive was a little longer though as we went via the leaning tower of pisa, which was pretty cool. Another photo opportunity, another box ticked I guess. But it was worth going to.

When we got to Florence we were fed and then taken out to a little karaoke bar in the city centre. After a few beers Lewis and I took the stage and sang 'i dont wanna miss a thing' by aerosmith. We killed it. I was happy with my performace, till I saw the replay on someones camera. I think they switched my mic off halfway through.. i must of been that good. Anyway it was a pretty fun and relaxing night after a couple of big ones, and we went home after that for some much needed rest.

The next day we went in and did our day tour of Florence. It's somewhere I can see myself going on a honeymoon with my fortunate future wife. Some of the views from the hills of the city are amazing. The day tour was good, tour guide was a legend. We also checked out this leather-making shop. Florence is apparently big on their leather. Some champ with a million tattoos gave us all a bit of a rundown on how to check if your jacket is actually genuine leather. Then we checked out the merchandise and I was very close to splurging on a 300 euro jacket.. Fortunately i passed.

That night was a big one. There was a lot of hype about the club we were going to 'Space Electronica'. I wasnt aware that the minimum age to go drinking and clubing in italy was 15 however so was a bit shocked when I was greeted by 30 schoolgirls on arrival. Anyway when the top floor opened up there seemed to be alot more 'older' people filling up the club which was comforting and less awkward. It was a pretty sweet setup upstairs, and a pretty big night in the end. Perhaps also a night ill remember for my decision making.

Alot of us were very dusty for the ride to Rome the next day. It wasn't a long drive so we were doing our day tour when we got there after lunch. I skipped the extended tour (was too hot and expensive and I was dead to the world) and just went and saw the coliseum with a couple of friends (Lewis & Tash). A 200 metre line turned into 20 with some sneaky and pretty obvious line jumping, when in rome. The coliseum was really cool. Such an old building and crazy to think what was going on in there back a couple of thousand years ago.

We then met up with the group and did a walking tour past the spanish steps and a couple of other bulidings and fountains (Trevi Fountain) that looked too similar to what I saw in previous cities to remember their names. But still great to see and experience.

We dined out in rome. It was an unplanned dinner meaning you were free to do what you like but myself and a couple of mates (Lewis, Foxy & Fabs) went to a little backstreet off one of the main courtyards for some pasta, pizza and gelato. Was really nice. Finally the sun had pissed off and we could all relax and enjoy the atmosphere of rome. To top off the day we drove to the Vatacan and crossed the border (apparently its a country) to take a few photos in front of the Pope's crib.

That night was pretty quiet. A night off. Cold and flu had spread pretty much right through the group by now, and there was a rumour that the next night was set to be a big one. Rest was appropriate and I had to ignore my 'sleep when your dead' motto just for a night.

The campsite we were staying at in Rome was our best to date. So the next day instead of going back into the city to walk around in the heat I decided to lay by the pool all day. Call me spoiled, but I had had enough of site-seeing, plus I had pretty much seen everything that I wanted to see the day before anyway. Pool was a good choice.

The party that night was themed 'superheros'. Lewis and I got kitted up in Roman War Equipment. Helmet, sword, chest plate. I'm pretty sure I looked like Brad Pitt in Troy. The club in the campsite in Rome was actually better then some of the places that charge $25 covers back home on a saturday night. Was yet another great night.

So that was italy done. I definitely want to go back one day. Maybe when I'm a bit older.

Its also worth mentioning that italian locals, restaurant and shop owners are all dickheads. There was the occasional attractive girl that walked passed that I didnt have a problem with but apart from that I'm not a big fan of the italian people.

They can make an ice cream though. Sorbet/Gelato whatever you want to call it. I probably averaged 2 a day!

A few people from our group left us in Rome the next day, which was pretty sad. There were alot of persoanlities that were going to be missed for the rest of the tour. After saying our goodbyes it was off to Greece!

We spent the whole day travelling, literally. We caught a bus to the port at Brindisi then jumped on an overnight ferry that was taking us to Corfu. The facilities on the ferry were awesome though, it even had its own casino.

We got to Corfu nice and early the next day and checked into our hotel. I immediately fell in love with Greece. Im not sure if it was the beautiful weather (sunny and breezy), the beach, the pool and view at our hotel, or the 2 euro gyros (kebabs); on the first night we went down the street to a local family ran restaurant. 2 gyros, a shot and a beer for 6 euro, thanks for coming. Then we went down to a local club which wasnt much chop.

Day #2 in Corfu was probably one of the best days of the tour. We were up nice and early and went to the wharf for a tour on a cruise boat that went past some old historical stuff (wasn't really listening), and then we had time to do some water sports. Me and some mates had a couple of go's on the single inflateables. It was pretty much water skiing cross dodgem cars, was so much fun! After that we all boarded the infamous 'Georges Boat'. Dirty George has been getting contiki tours boozed and naked on his boat for over 30 years. Was an interesting afternoon as you would imagine. There was no time to slow down when we got back as there was a toga party at our hotel that night. Love toga parties. Needless to say another loose night, and it was relieving to know that we had nothing to worry about the next day apart from deciding on beach or pool, pork or chicken gyros.

Day #3 was relaxing. Pool, beach, siesta and some more water sport action. The good life. That night there was a pool party back at our hotel, which was surprisingly disappointing. I think everyone was ruined from the night before. Half the tour were in their sick bed throwing down antibiotics after 20 days of touring and partying.

The next day it was time to leave Corfu for the nations capital, Athens. Another day journey. We arrived just in time for dinner before we headed up to our rooftop pool bar which looks over the famous acropolos and the rest of the city. Awesome view. It was time for goodbye drinks for those departing us in Athens (the majority of the group). Was a night of reflection and a few tears, I managed to save them though.

We did a tour of the acropolos the next morning which was pretty interesting. However, I thought the view from the top was actually more intriguing than the building itself. The rest of the day was free so I made my way around the dirty, dangerous city of Athens. Did a bit of shopping, spent some euro I'm going to wish i hadn't spent a bit later on in the trip. But whatever..

I'm here in Athens for another 2 nights then it's time to party in the greek islands!