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Post by markindurham on Nov 1, 2013 12:37:42 GMT -5
Not that long ago, I'd have run a mile if someone had suggested a coach trip to & from Italy. However, times change, & having been introduced to UK coach trips by my wife, we decided to give it a go. I was lucky enough to get us the front seats on the other side to the driver, so we were in prime position to see what was going on  Our trip started in Darlington, the last North-East pickup point for our trip. The route was down to Hull for the overnight ferry to Zeebrugge, then down to Mulhouse for the next night stop. The next day we would go through Basel & then towards Italy via the Gottard Pass. Down to Milan, then head towards La Spezia. Just before there we would head in the general direction of Livorno, before going back inland to our next overnight stop at Montecatini Terme. The following day would see us visit Florence before passing Rome en route to our hotel for 2 nights in Fuiggi. Rome was the destination for the following day, returning, as I say, to Fuiggi. The last day of our outward journey would see us visit Montecassino, before skirting Naples & reaching our destination of Sorrento, where we were to stay for 6 nights. Montecassino replaces Naples as a point of interest - the latter has become very dangerous in the last couple of years, even in daytime. many coach tour pax and cruise ship pax have fallen victim to muggings, so... The return was very similar to outward, but without stops other than 'comfort breaks' & for driver rest requirements, so Sorrento - Montecatini Terme, Montecatini Terme - Mulhouse, Mulhouse - Zeebrugge & then the overnight ferry back to Hull & our last couple of hours getting back to Darlington. Pics to follow shortly |
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Post by markindurham on Nov 1, 2013 15:43:38 GMT -5
Here we go then. We set off from Hull on a nice enough day, but don't the dock water & then the river look manky?  Swinging to go into the lock - yes, the middle gates DID get opened!  And out into the Humber. The ship on the river berth runs to Rotterdam  Approaching the berth at Zeebrugge  And back on the coach to resume our journey  Deep in enemy territory here - passing <hawk, spit> Brussels.  Then passing through the Ardennes  Sadly we didn't go through Luxembourg due to a closed road after an accident, so we swung round to the West of Luxembourg and entered France direct from Belgium  Then crossed the Moselle  Before passing Metz  Heading over towards Strasbourg, we passed a sign of interest to lager louts...  And on to just outside Mulhouse, where we stopped for the night |
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Post by beth on Nov 1, 2013 17:02:50 GMT -5
Thank you bushels, Mark. Looks like fun. |
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Post by markindurham on Nov 1, 2013 17:29:04 GMT -5
Thank you bushels, Mark. Looks like fun. Well, we got to see places that we never would have done by simply flying to Naples - the old adage of 'getting there is half the fun' certainly resonates |
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Post by beth on Nov 1, 2013 17:37:48 GMT -5
Yes, I think that was a wonderful idea. Coach tours used to be offered and enjoyed here, but at some point, they were dropped from options for tourists except around popular tourist areas. It looks like the weather was perfect for you guys.
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Post by markindurham on Nov 1, 2013 23:23:28 GMT -5
Yes, I think that was a wonderful idea. Coach tours used to be offered and enjoyed here, but at some point, they were dropped from options for tourists except around popular tourist areas. It looks like the weather was perfect for you guys. Oh, it was. As you'll hopefully see as we progress, it got steadily warmer as we got south, & it was dry throughout. That was another nice thing - you didn't get out of an aeroplane after a few hours, having left a temperate region, to be met with a wall of heat & humidity. It was a gradual change. |
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Post by markindurham on Nov 1, 2013 23:41:52 GMT -5
Right, we set off from Mulhouse & headed towards the Swiss border at Basel; a city where 3 countries meet. France, Germany & Switzerland. We crossed the Rhine  & headed into Switzerland  We passed Lake Sempach on our right  and then Lake Lucerne, which we ran alongside for a while. It's a huge lake  Looking back towards Lucerne itself      Last view of Lake Lucerne for now, as we continue to head towards the Gottard Pass  Running alongside a river, the Reuss, which we'll follow as far as the Gottard Tunnel.  The mountains are starting to get more impressive as we stop at Altdorf. That river water looks lovely, but it's cold!  |
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Post by markindurham on Nov 2, 2013 0:18:44 GMT -5
At the service station at Altdorf there's a small chapel, with some interesting crystal on display, & impressive stained glass windows    Going back to the coach, our driver was doing some housework, making sure the windows were clean again before the scenic trip through the Gottard. He was very house-proud towards his vehicle, which was nice. Also a very pleasant chap  So, onwards & upwards! Back on the road, we passed a train - it's a main route to Italy & is very busy  Traffic building up on the road  Getting closer to the 'big hole'  Roadworks - note the mannequin on the left! Arm going up & down warning traffic. Years ago, people would do that job...  Only 17km to go...  And we enter the tunnel, saying farewell to Northern Europe & dive through the Alps  |
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Post by markindurham on Nov 2, 2013 1:13:55 GMT -5
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Post by markindurham on Nov 2, 2013 5:21:40 GMT -5
Up & ready the following morning; all aboard & off to Florence (Firenze) We crossed the Arno  and headed into Florence. Everywhere we stayed, except for Fuiggi & Sorrento, our coach was subject to a local tourist tax, which had to be paid in cash by the driver on arrival. This caused delays, of course, but it's the norm in Italy... OK, we went to an area overlooking the city, the Piazzali Michelangelo - what a view    The famous Ponte Vecchio  We were here!  Of course, David gets in on the act...  Sadly no time to play in this bad boy   Next, down into town & a brief walking tour                  Then it was time for refreshment, before moving on to Ponte Vecchio |
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Post by mouse on Nov 2, 2013 6:26:23 GMT -5
is Florence still alive with beggers and pickpockets?  but what a lovely city it is and did you have time to shop????the market is fantastic...such a wide variety of stuff.. |
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Post by markindurham on Nov 2, 2013 6:42:04 GMT -5
is Florence still alive with beggers and pickpockets? but what a lovely city it is and did you have time to shop????the market is fantastic...such a wide variety of stuff.. The big scam these days is Africans with fake hats & bags - it's illegal to buy from them, & if you get seen by the police, you lose your goods & get a big fine. The vendor, otoh, does a runner as soon as he spots Plod... Pickpocketing & bag theft are endemic across Italy these days, sadly Shopping? We had a brief wander round, & we bought a parasol & some trinkets - usual stuff... |
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Post by markindurham on Nov 2, 2013 6:58:19 GMT -5
So, after refreshment, we headed to Ponte Vecchio  And on the bridge itself   Very busy, & quite expensive shops too   Then back to the coach & off to Fuiggi. One striking thing about Italy is the number of small towns built at the top of hills. Presumably for defensive purposes 'back in the day' This is one of them, Orte, as seen from the A1 Autostrada    Finally, we turned off the Autostrada & headed into Fuiggi. More tunnelling to be seen, & this on a country road!  And into Fuiggi, with the inevitable traffic snarl up!  |
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Post by markindurham on Nov 2, 2013 10:36:41 GMT -5
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Post by maggie on Nov 2, 2013 10:47:48 GMT -5
It's like we're on the trip with you! I love Florence and Rome. Did you go into the Sistine Chapel? We had to queue for ages but it was worth the wait.
Did you go to the Crypt of the Capuchin monks in Rome (near Piazza Barberini)?
Weirdest place I've ever been - it contains thousands of bones of monks, piled high and some of the bones are made into patterns and lanterns.
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Omega
