Monthly Archives: December 2014

Venezia (Venice), Italy

20 December 2014EuropeItalyGrace

I’d made an earlier assertion Avignon’s Saint Bénézet bridge was perhaps the most photographed bridge, however I’d forgotten about the Rialto Bridge in Venice.

The only way home? I wouldn’t want to do this after a big night out …

But then again, you might consider a Gondola ride – very romantic but can be quite costly and here’s a guide for you.
•Gondola fares are standard and set officially and the minimum fares for a standard gondola ride is approximately 80 Euro but rates can go higher.
•A standard gondola ride is 40 minutes so if you negotiate for a lower fare, you’ll end up with a shorter ride.
•Gondola fares are higher at night.
•Gondolas hold six people and can be shared without affecting the fee so you can save money by sharing a tariff with several people.
• If you book a gondola ride through a hotel or agency, there’s likely to be an additional fee built in to the price.

Water Taxi, be it private or shared public is the cheapest and fastest way to make your way around.

20 Euro will allow you to have 24 hours access of water taxis, local buses and the train which shuttles between Maestro and St Lucia Stations – about every 10 minutes. The ticket is activated upon the first time you use it.

Although the island of Venice itself is not famous for glass blowing, the island of Murano, just north of the city is world renowned for glass making.

Nearby Burano’s main claim to fame is its centuries-old lacemaking tradition.

The Carnival of Venice is an annual festival and ends with the Christian celebration of Lent and is famed for its elaborate masks.

Walking around Piazza San Marco whereby there’s no shortage of cafes and restaurants.

St Mark’s Basilica, the whole of the west façade with its great arches and marble decoration cannot be missed.

At 5:30 pm Sunday evening there was a free concert given with the Cathedral’s organ being played with some of Bach’s compositions to a captivated audience.

Cutesy café for a cuppa.

Leather handbags at 43 Euro each, think I’ll have one of each colour at that price!

It’s said Venice is sinking. I checked www.livescience.com and it seems the case.

Time to have something to eat and drink myself. Umm so many choices and really cheap by Sydney prices, but then again it’s low season.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

19 December 2014EuropeSloveniaGrace

I thought of all the place names I visited so far in the Balkans (when said properly), were pretty enough to be female names such as Ljubljana.

Having ‘lost’ my cash card in Dubrovnik, luckily I’d bought my bus fare the day I arrived there. The overnight trip meant I didn’t see the Croatian coastline. In fact from Zagreb to Ljubljana I was the only passenger onboard with a driver and conductor. Although not able to speak to them properly (due to neither of us speaking the same language), some odd German words were handy.

As I arrived at the station in Ljubljana, The Four Seasons Sheraton arrived with a shuttle service which is free as the hotel is about 10 minutes from the city centre. Very grateful and important to have stayed at a superior hotel as I knew my Credit Union would not release any funds to me unless they spoke to me directly – even after midnight with the time difference.

So what do you do when you are stressed and have no real money on you? Yes, of course you go shopping in the most expensive department store – right next door to the bank I’d made arrangements with as it’s Western Union which would give me some of my own money …
Here I’m with a delightful young Beautician for Lancome cosmetics who did a ‘make over’ with my favourite products; not to mention the glass of bubbly and chocolates. After I left here, who should I run into? My lovely bus driver and conductor from the night before. Not sure who had the bigger shock, me seeing them again or they seeing me with make up on!

I didn’t really want to take his photo, I just wanted to give him a big cuddle.

Enough money always for a nice cuppa at a quaint cafe near the Castle.

The symbol of Ljubljana is the dragon, which dominates the iconic Dragon Bridge, and the city’s most prominent attraction Ljubljana Castle.

Ljubljana Castle is a definite must-see and located almost in the city centre.

Stairwell inside the castle. I opted not to go down.

Sculpture inside the Castle’s Museum

No one seemed bother by this ‘little’ fella … I think he’s considered a local.

Big thank you to the staff at Four Points Sheraton for all their assistance in helping me sort out my dilemma. And, whoever put these macaroons in my room each evening, let me tell you they were most enjoyable.

Now leaving Ljubljana and very happy to feel the freedom of being back on a train after flying a couple of routes and some ‘fly-by-night’ bus trips. I’m now heading to Venice for a little side trip before going onto Germany as I’ve not seen it for about 20 years now.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

17 December 2014EuropeCroatiaGrace

Border Control and onto Dubrovnik, Croatia

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Not too much explanation needed to see the beauty of the old city.

An elite destination and one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean.

Stunning architecture, sculptured detail and boasts spectacular churches, monasteries, museums and fountains.

As they say, ‘all good things must come to an end’. From what I’m told Dubrovnik’s ATM cash terminals have a habit of ‘swallowing up’ people’s cards – including mine. This is where I’ve had to make a decision to continue on and have Western Union ‘give’ me some of my own money, or simply return home. Once reported to my Credit Union, the owner of the Apartments where the machine was, rang the bank and asked me was the card stolen? Of course, I steal cards and then I report them lost! Now it’s time to sit down and have a bit of a cry …

Coastline of Montenegro, Balkans

16 December 2014EuropeBalkansGrace

Terrain in Montenegro ranges from high mountains in the northern part of the country, through karst segment in central and western part, to a narrow coastal plain.

Take a look for yourself. It was an early start but worthy of seeing and incredibly picturesque. Now onto Dubrovnik Croatia.

Podgorica, Montenegro

16 December 2014EuropeBalkansGrace

Walking down the streets of Podgorica these days, you may come across some unexpected visitors – Transformers.

Seven sculptures modeled after sci-fi film figures made from scrapped cars, have been dotted round the city, making the capital a more attractive tourist destination.

They are the work of 22-year-old Danilo Baletic, who came up with the idea of transforming scrap metal into fake robots when asked to present an ecological project by the organizers of the Durmitor Art Eco Festival several years ago.

I really didn’t have any expectations of Podgorica, however I was pleasantly surprised by its lively café scene and locals out and about enjoying themselves.

Yes I had to look twice too …

Very enjoyable walking around the city and surrounds.

Sculpture of a different kind.

Walking towards Park Forest Gorica, I could hear chanting fit for a crowd of ten thousand only to find the home team was playing. Football in Podgorica has a long tradition associated with FK Budu nost Podgorica. I understand world-famous players Predrag Mijatovi and Dejan Savi were born in Podgorica and made their debut in the team.