page 1 |
Europe, Ski
Zermatt, visit Italy and Greece, Jan/Feb-06 |
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Eur-06 |
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The summers in
Queensland are so hot, that it has become our custom to try and escape the |
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mid-summer heat
in January & February by heading for cooler climes. In Jan/Feb-04, we
spent 2 |
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weeks touring
both Islands of New Zealand, and Jan/Feb-05, we did a great drive to and
around |
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Tasmania in the Nissan 350 Z, our "demerits points
toy". ( accumulating 5 points in the process ! ) |
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For Jan/Feb-06,
we decided to go skiing in Zermatt again. The surprising fact is that it is
just as |
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cheap to go
skiing in Switzerland for 1 week as to go to Thredbo, Australia. This is
because of the |
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extremely short
ski season in Australia, 6-8 weeks compared to 15-20 weeks in Europe and USA. |
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The Swiss prices
for good accommodation, up-hill transport and ski hire are about 50% of Oz
prices. |
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Skiing for
anything over 1 week becomes a "bargain" overseas, with better snow
and slopes ! |
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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 |
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of the
"incredible" historic cities and places in Italy & Greece,
including :- |
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Venice, Florence, Sorrento,(incl'g the Amalfi
coast), Pompeii, Rome and Athens. |
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After skiing, we
travelled to and around Italy by their superb train network, but decided to
fly from |
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Rome to Athens,
rather than go by boat, as it was mid-winter in the Mediterranean. |
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After one of our
most awe inspiring experiences in our lifetime, looking at ancient Athens and
the |
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Parthenon/Acropolis,
we flew to Frankfurt then back to Brisbane. I have to admit that even for
very |
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frequent
overseas travellers, the sight of ancient Italy and Greece was overwhelming
& humbling ! |
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Skiing in
Zermatt. |
Zermatt is one of our most favourite villages in
Europe, sitting beneath the |
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magnificent
Matterhorn, in the Swiss alps. No cars are allowed into the village,
transport being by |
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horse drawn
carts or electric mini vans or busses. The village is very compact, although
there is |
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a shuttle bus
service to the various up-hill transports for skiers, eg :- The cog railway
to Gornergrat, |
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the Sunnega
express to Rotthorn and the Gondola/Cable cars to Kleine Matterhorn. |
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Views from ski
slopes |
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Kleine
Matterhorn Cable car ! |
Starting to snow, woweee !! |
Lunch break for the "oldies" |
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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 |
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by itself, via
the North Italian alps and Milan. On arrival at Venice rail station, John
started looking |
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for a taxi ??
After a while, we caught a Ferry to San Marco, where we had booked a hotel. |
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Gondolas in
Venice |
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San Marco Sq. Venice |
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Rialto bridge, Venice |
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We were
impressed by the ferry traffic in Venice. All day tickets were available and
you can jump |
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on and off at
will. The restaurants were somewhat expensive for tourists. |
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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. |
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A square in
Florence |
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This is NOT statue of David ! |
Inside another grandiose |
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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. |
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Approaching
Sorrento from |
Sorrento from harbour |
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Isle of Capri harbour, 1/2 hour |
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Naples, by Taxi. |
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Grand old hotels |
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by ferry from Sorrento |
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page 3 |
Sorrento, Isle of Capri & Amalfi Coast,
cont'd |
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