page 1	Europe, Ski Zermatt, visit Italy and Greece, Jan/Feb-06						File =	Eur-06
The summers in Queensland are so hot, that it has become our custom to try and escape the
mid-summer heat in January & February by heading for cooler climes. In Jan/Feb-04, we spent 2
weeks touring both Islands of New Zealand, and Jan/Feb-05, we did a great drive to and around
Tasmania in the Nissan 350 Z, our "demerits points toy". ( accumulating 5 points in the process ! )
For Jan/Feb-06, we decided to go skiing in Zermatt again. The surprising fact is that it is just as
cheap to go skiing in Switzerland for 1 week as to go to Thredbo, Australia. This is because of the
extremely short ski season in Australia, 6-8 weeks compared to 15-20 weeks in Europe and USA.
The Swiss prices for good accommodation, up-hill transport and ski hire are about 50% of Oz prices.
Skiing for anything over 1 week becomes a "bargain" overseas, with better snow and slopes !
Zermatt village, no cars.			View from our Hotel window			On Gornergrat slopes, Zermatt
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The flight to Europe is so long, we decided to spend another 2 weeks while over there, visiting some
of the "incredible" historic cities and places in Italy & Greece, including :-
	Venice, Florence, Sorrento,(incl'g the Amalfi coast), Pompeii, Rome and Athens.
After skiing, we travelled to and around Italy by their superb train network, but decided to fly from
Rome to Athens, rather than go by boat, as it was mid-winter in the Mediterranean.
After one of our most awe inspiring experiences in our lifetime, looking at ancient Athens and the
Parthenon/Acropolis, we flew to Frankfurt then back to Brisbane. I have to admit that even for very
frequent overseas travellers, the sight of ancient Italy and Greece was overwhelming & humbling !
Skiing in Zermatt.		Zermatt is one of our most favourite villages in Europe, sitting beneath the
magnificent Matterhorn, in the Swiss alps. No cars are allowed into the village, transport being by
horse drawn carts or electric mini vans or busses. The village is very compact, although there is
a shuttle bus service to the various up-hill transports for skiers, eg :- The cog railway to Gornergrat,
the Sunnega express to Rotthorn and the Gondola/Cable cars to Kleine Matterhorn.
Views from ski slopes
Kleine Matterhorn Cable car !			Starting to snow, woweee !!			Lunch break for the "oldies"
Hard to breathe at 4,000 m alt.			Notice the huge crowds.			Again, notice the crowds !
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page 2	Venice, the city of Canals			The train trip from Zermatt to Venice was an experience
by itself, via the North Italian alps and Milan. On arrival at Venice rail station, John started looking
for a taxi ?? After a while, we caught a Ferry to San Marco, where we had booked a hotel.
Gondolas in Venice			San Marco Sq. Venice			Rialto bridge, Venice
We were impressed by the ferry traffic in Venice. All day tickets were available and you can jump
on and off at will. The restaurants were somewhat expensive for tourists.
Just another view, Venice			Down from Rialto bridge			San Marco square, Venice
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	Next stop was Florence (Firenze), city of Michelangelo and more.
A square in Florence			This is NOT statue of David !			Inside another grandiose
			No photos of David allowed !!			Italian building, just awesome.
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Sorrento, Isle of Capri and Amalfi Coast, south of Rome, West coast of ITALY.
Approaching Sorrento from			Sorrento from harbour			Isle of Capri harbour, 1/2 hour
Naples, by Taxi.			Grand old hotels			by ferry from Sorrento
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page 3	Sorrento, Isle of Capri & Amalfi Coast, cont'd
Entrance to Blue Grotto			Inside Blue Grotto			Isle of Capri scenery
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Amalfi coast, looking south				Amalfi piazza			Amalfi coast.
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Pompeii, covered by a Volcano centuries ago, still being excavated today.
Entrance to Pompeii city			Large theatre, Pompeii.			Court of the Gladiators
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An ancient body, Pompeii			Part of old Forum, Pompeii			House with running water inside!
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More Pompeii ruins			More Pompeii ruins			Train to Roma, a good one.
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page 4	The eternal city, ROME, the pictures speak for themselves
Arch of Constantine, Rome			The "immortal" Colosseum			Yollie with Centurion, cost 2 Eur
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Inside the Colosseum, Rome			Hadrians mausoleum, Rome				Ancient Rome.
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The Tiber river, Rome			The Vatican.		Inside the Vatican-->
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Queue for Sistine chapel			Michelangelo's Sistine ceiling			Swiss Vatican guards
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3 coins in Trevi fountain.			Ancient Rome, just awesome !				More ancient Rome.
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page 5	Greece and Athens, Its hard to believe what they achieved so long ago !
Acropolis hill, Athens, Parthenon			Amphitheatre, on hill			View from our hotel at night.
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The Parthenon, having seen this, what else needs seeing ?							Temple of Acropolis
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	Another temple		Temple of ZEUS, see Yolanda?			Amphitheatre on Acropolis.
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	Ancient sites			Ancient sites		Athens looking from Acropolis
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						Street
						market
Olympian warming up, 506 BC !!				Modern Athens		in Plaka->
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