We're
back by popular demand... Our
4th visit to Italy has resulted in yet another feature length
film. This wonderful country has been one of the
longest- running holiday destinations in Europe! Our
visit was in late May into June, when it was nice and warm,
but not without crowds.
Three chapters on one DVD
~ RUNNING TIME 150minutes!
See what it's
like
- watch a preview from our DVD -
press the 4-arrows button
if you want full screen playback
Part
one ~ The Adriatic Coast
Rimini made a perfect base to explore this part of the
coast. Long sandy beaches, plenty of entertainment, good
restaurants and things to do. The town is one of the longest
established seaside resorts in Italy and although famous for
its bathing and conference facilities, there are a good number
of historic medieval buildings in the Old Town to discover.
Older still, there some amazing Roman arches and a 2000-year
old bridge to see from the ancient town of
"Ariminum".
You can catch a bus from outside Rimini's
central railway station to the tiny mountain-top country ofSan
Marino. About 20 kilometres inland from Rimini. Absolutely
fascinating, this little republic has survived the last
seventeen centuries intact, despite attacks by other city
states, the Napoleonic wars, the unification of Italy and two
world wars! You can see most of the attractions, duty free
shops and the fortress towers all in a day trip. We made a
short walking trail on the wooded footpaths between the three
distincive fortress towers, taking in the spectacular views to
be had, this probably took no more than an hour.
Although not a public visitor attraction, we call
in to the Rimini Lambretta Centre, which is housed in a
smart industrial unit a few kilometres out of town. We talk to
Dean Orton, a Cornishman who co- founded this glitzy scooter
restoration business over 20 years ago and developed it into
what can only be described as a Mecca for Mods. The
Lambretta brand was the choice of Italian scooter by
the British mod generation, but the company folded in the
early seventies making these classic and iconic machines a
rarity. Debra is compelled to take a ride on the centre's
prized showpiece!
After this, by contrast, we
ride in a hire car with rather less passion, over the Apennine
mountains into Tuscany.
Part two ~ Touring Tuscany The
natural start to a tour of the region has to beFlorence,
Italy's historic centre of renaissance art. You don't have to
be an art lover to enjoy the main attractions: The Pitti
Palace and Boboli gardens, The Ponte Vecchio over the river
Arno; The Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia on Piazza Signoria;
and one of the most spectacular cathedrals in Italy, the Duomo
of Florence. With its ornate bell tower and baptistry it makes
a wonderful conclusion to a truly memorable walking tour of
the old city centre. If you have the money left after
you've seen the famous Uffizi and Accademia galleries, there
is some serious shopping to be done, especially for leather
goods.
Travelling west in the "passion wagon", we
call in at the Field of Miracles to see one of Italy's most
iconic attractions, theLeaning
Tower of Pisa. Coupled with the striking Duomo, Baptistry
and Cemetery this free-to-enter green space is a major
attraction for visitors from all over the globe. After major
restoration and stabilisation some years ago, entry is now
very limited to climb the tower. Tickets only go on sale 20
days before your expected visit, and often sell out online on
the first day. Dave loses/wins the toss to climb the 296
steps. Luccaisn't
too far from Pisa, so you can easily visit it in the same day.
The main attractions are a huge fortress-like city wall, that
you can take a bike ride around; plus many fascinating
medieval churches, winding streets, and the site of a Roman
amphitheatre which was rebuilt in the middle ages as the
town's biggest Piazza.
Lucca is a way-station on the ancient pilgrimage trail
to Rome called theVia
Francigena(more
in the next column). We walk on this toSan
Gimignanoand explore this preserved and picture-perfect
hilltop town. Known as the "Medieval Manhattan" it
contains 13 patrician towers left over from its prosperous
past. Many Americans come to admire the
"skyscrapers"as they tour the region. The
Val d'Orciais
probably the best-known landscape of Tuscany. The contours of
this manicured, photogenic valley are best visited on a tour,
and we hitch a ride in a vintage Fiat 500 to seePienza,Montalcino
and other exquisite locations,see
YouTube Clip.Bagno
Vignoniis
also a great little spa village to drop into.
Arguably the best-preserved medieval walled town in
Tuscany isSiena.
Wonderful winding, narrow lanes and piazzas, many buildings
constructed of the distinctive reddish-brown brick associated
with the region. Opulent Palazzos and arches adorn the streets
which all come to a focus at the town's exquisite
saucer-shaped main square: Piazza del Campo. Paved entirely in
brick it is surrounded by some of Italy's finest historic
architecture, notably the Palazzo Publicco and its belltower.
After wandering the streets you can end up at Siena's
magnificent Duomo. Set in its own square there is a large
museum complex opposite, in another historic building: Santa
Maria Della Scala.
We reluctantly leave Tuscany and hit
the road to Rome, stopping off at the amazingTivoli
Gardens.
