The Smiths Hit Europe in 2011

Made it home today.

Had a great time

Sorry about the louse updating of the blog but didn't have time and the kids kept hogging the laptop whenever we had wifi access.

Closing blog now.

Alice

Had a great relaxing time on the Italian Cruise ship. The Italians sure know how to enjoy themselves, they were into all of the onboard activities. Very noisy lot and have no idea how lifts operate - always going in the lift that is taking them in the opposite direction in which they want to go.

Mitchell had a ball playing ping pong for most of the trip and made lots of Italian friends that way. He didn't even get off the boat at the first two ports, prefering to stay onboard and continue his tabletennis.

Steve and I had a relaxing stroll in Messina, Sicily. Not much shopping to do as we arrived during siesta time and most of the shops were closed. But we did manage to get a pair of red jeans for Mitch from Zara which he was very pleased about.

Dan accompanied us to Izmir, Turkey where Steve negotiated a "TAKSI" drive to take us to one of the local Bazaars. Everywhere we walked we were inundated by friendly Turks wanting to show us their Uncles leather shop or their brothers menswear store. Daniel couldn't wait to get the hell out of there but Steve really enjoyed the experience. We did manage to buy a few souveniers including a chess set and some colourful bowls.

Yesterday we enjoyed Santorini and Mykonos. Santorini was everybodies pick. We took the cable car (the donkeys were too smelly!) up to the top to the main village and enjoyed wandering through the little cobblestoned streets and white buildings. Again lots of shops and very touristy but we had a couple of drinks breaks sitting in a open air cafe right on the edge of the cliff overlooking the beautiful blue of the Mediteranean.

Dan was itching to get into the water and brought his snorkel set. We found a spot down from where the tenders were to pick us up and take us back to the boat and he really enjoyed paddling around in the clear blue water, Steve even jumped in for a quick dip.

Mykonos was similar but it got a little windy but back on the boat we enjoyed a meal on the back deck and watched the twinkling lights of the town as dusk turned into night.

Mitch was disappointed to find that the boat didn't have a show that evening as most of the guests were still visiting the island, he really enjoyed each nights entertainment. So Steve and Dan gave a little performance on the grand piano in the auditorium while Mitch danced on stage - until someone heard them and kicked them out politely.

Wednesday today and we get off the boat and meet Libby in Athens...

WOw, so much news since last blog.

Venice was amazing. Lots of shopping and just wandering throught the streets getting lost. Our Hotel was fantastic, right beside the Rialto bridge. Steve and I enjoyed afternoon drinks in the shadow of the bridge watching the canal traffic. Daniel got some beautiful Italian made shirts and I got some lovely glass jewellery. Mitch got a cap and a pair of shoes and Steve got the obligatory Venitian Mask.

We took a ferry to Lido and the boys were appalled by the brown sand but Dan got a great mask and snorkel set ready for Ithaca. We did the Gondola ride ione evening and took a wooden water taxi back to the train station and headed back to Rome for a night ready for the next days travel to the port of Civvetichecia for boarding the Cruise.

Yesterday travelled from Rome to Venice after dropping most of our luggage off at the Corot Hotel. The train trip was relaxing and comfortable. We got off the train at St Lucia station in Venice and walked out to see the Grand Canal. The boys were blown away.

We got on the Vaporatti (ferry) to the Rialto bridge and our hotel, Palazzo Bembo, was a short walk over another bridge and there it was! There waw an art exhibition on the first two floors which threw us a bit and the hotel accommodation on the third.

We found a room over looked a side canal with a glimpse of the grand canal through two windows. The floor is interesting - it slopes down from the outside walls but is beautifully decorated with ornate wall paper and glass chandiliers.

Venice is very commercialised - lots of shops and markets everywhere and advertising all over the famous landmarks. But it is a beautiful city and very enjoyable to walk around. Had a lovely dinner by the grand canal last night and a good walk around - including getting lost - this morning.

Steve and I have been enjoying happy hour (or two) in the outdoor bars enjoying the passing parade while the boys relax in the hotel room with DVDs and WiFi.

8pm and time to go for a walk to find another Trattoria to enjoy and of course a gelati! Ciao

Finally having and R and R day after a little shopping in Roma. Mitch got a pair of shoes, Dan a Tie Clip, Steve a couple of business shirts and I got a little Italian Leather handbag.

Then back to the villa Pamphilli for a relax around the pool and a buffet lunch. they even had the prawns peeled and deviened. Mama Mia! and the Blanc vino is Bellosimo!

Paris was beautiful, lots to see. We did the Lock on the Bridge and Moulon Rouge was out of this world including the girls swimming in a pool of snakes!

Roma was busy with lots to see too - Vatican City. The boys were blown away by the "Sixteen" Chapel as Mitchello calls it.

the Colosseum, Pantheon, Tivoli Gardens, Fontana de Trevi - hope the wishes come true!

Tomorrow we are catching the train to Venice. From now on we don't have the security of the Trafalgar tour - we are on our own!

The weather is warm and balmy with an occassional cool breeze - lots of alfesco dining.

The boys are enjoying the food, shopping and the pool. Venice will be another surprise for them.

Gotta go pack now. Catch up in Venitzia!

Ciao!