NAPLES .. A PLACE TEEMING WITH PEOPLE

Our arrival in Naples was typical for us.... crowded transit bus into the Central station from the Airport, we then took to foot to walk the 30 min to the Hotel guest house.
we are on the 4 main floor but our FSC room is another level up  2 treacherous flights of stairs to our room with private balcony.... views along the street from above give a great idea of the density of the buildings and population..we see church steeples, the port area and the famous Mt Vesuvius in the distance.
Day 2 we walked one half length of the street from the apartment..seeing the main cathedral, and the ancient underground city from 35 BC... the excavation works reveal the layers of ocupation from Greeks, Roman through to more modern times.
The street was very crowded as we are in the most historic part of Naples.
PICS
a few last shots of Athens
Cathedral
street scenes
eating of course
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ATHENS GREECE HIGHLIGHTS

Its nearly a week since the last blog post...but here goes on Athens Greece
After flying into Athens it was onto the most crowded train..known as the airport express yet it managed to stop at every station for the 1hr.30 minute trip and us standing the whole way hanging onto the baggage. Then there were 2 metro changes, thanks to the help of 2 pretty cluey American kids we manged it. This was followed by a 15min walk to hotel no 1 ..a Best Western.... faced with a bank of at least 8 air conditioners there was some noise in our room I did try 2 other rooms each one faced onto the same air cons
Next day of the the Booking.com/AirBand B And as it turns out every other group you can sign up for.
We eventually found it.... up 2 flights of stairs in what appears to be a commercial building undergoing renovations ..we are the only night stayers in the building...a bit spooky
Lights in the lift go out half way from bottom to 2nd floor.....so not using the lift.
Lights in stair way peater out after 1st floor so we then bring out the torch.
Major problem with light is at night of course.
You enter our door... newly painted , new lino floors, new bathroom, mini kitchen ,aircon
BUT the bed is memory foam!! we know some at home who have tried them..... there crap I say!!
I have never been so hot in bed and I mean hot since Sandie and I first torrid night together.
I did complain to owner, he says he will fix it!!
Sandie gets creative putting yet a winter weight doona over the mattress to stop a bit of heat rising.
We will have six nights of this,
GOOD BITS
Mostly food good to very good but I am over Greek salads
Hop on hop off bus did show us the city sprawl and port area where boats leave for the Islands.
The Acropolis is an icon... you get a glimpsed   down every street where we are staying near the Plaka district.
Changing the guard
biggest othodox church in Athens and next to it the oldest Byzantian church in the city.
A trip to Ancient Corinth

The museum of antiquities
SEE THE PICS
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THE GRAND CANAL TRIP

Firstly the Grand Canal is the busy life blood of the city, its packed with people ferries and general transport boats taking all kind od matter from one end of the city to another. These service boats branch off into the myriad of smaller canals. Its amazing how the city works.
For the visitor its not cheap to get to the railway station to the major attraction St Marco Squ.
We purchased two 7.50 euro tickets that gave us just 75 min of travel...for us that meant a trip from the station area to St Marco and back to the Rialto Bridge..from there we took a slow walk back to the apartment.
Sandie has much better pic of the things you see along the canal.... catch her great stuff on her Facebook page.
PICS
Grand canal,
Rialto Bridge
general views on the way back.

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AN EASY KINDA DAY!

We started late,and it wasn't long before lunch called .After lunch we walked the quiet back Allies of the Jewish Qrt ( where we are staying) and headed towards St Marco Sqr...this is the focal point for all tourists...comprising the church, palace/art gallery, bell tower, all enclosed on 3 sides and opening to the sea. Two sides of the Square are shops, Restr., bars. Within the Squr there are some significant statues....its all very impressive. During high tides the square floods and raised walk ways are set up so you can navigate the Sqr.
PIC
second oldest bridge remaining bridge in Venice
narrow streets
her.

others
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VENICE "FREE" WALKING TOUR..ONLY 20 URO

Today was the organised walking tour of the back Allys of Venice, yesterdays practise to find the starting point paid off..we were 30min early and saved 40min on yesterday.
The group was about 20 in size and the guide was very informative. lots of history, and important early landmarks were pointed out and described.
After 2.5hrs of walking and standing I WAS READY TO GET BACK TO THE APARTMENT FOR A REST.
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VENICE....FINDING OUR WAY

Tomorrow the 16th, we are doing another walking tour.The goal today was to find the exact spot the tour will start from. So, set all info in heremaps...estimated walking time was 35 min from accommodation..1hr 30 min we arrive, yes it was busy, people everywhere and this isn't the high season... so is it the map system or are we just stupid. Tomorrow will tell as we try find the spot again at 9am.
Apart from that the day was interesting but after 7hours of walking bat 1hr for lunch stop we got back to the apartment pretty tired..Imanaged a 1.5 nap and Sandie conned me into giving her feet a massage.
My only other gripe is Air B&B , yes its an airb+b stay, Why did I do it, I thought I had learnt my lesson on the last trip.
Here is the key, there is the bed, good bye...but how do you operate the washing machine /dryer combo, how do you get the heater to stay on more than 30min, where is the mini mart etc
And to think I have booked atleast 2 more of these.
On a positive VENICE is truly  rich in history,,and to walk the historic narrow streets with endless little bridges is fascinating. Each turn seems to open up to a new square, a new church and palace of the rich and famous Venetians.
St Marco Squ is a great site, so to the famous Rialto bridge.
There are masses of people always on the move
We are looking forward to seeing more in the few days ahead.
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THREE HOUR GUIDED CITY WALK

It all started well, we were on time, the walk started at 10.30am. The  first stop was 50mt away and because we were in a tour group we were  fast tracked ..... But it still took some 45min to get inside the Milano Duomo because of security.
We had a great guide, she didn't stop talking for 3 hrs.. After Duomo we were off  and  walking through the the famous Galleria shopping complex which also houses the worlds only 7 star hotel . Out through one  door we saw the statue of Leonardo, and the La Scala opera house....We did not get to see inside inside the Opera ..that was a shame.. Next came the Milano Fort ( saw it yesterday) Again not inside.  Finally we came to the Last Supper Painting..viewing was limited to about 25 people per 15min time.
After a pizza lunch and spitz, we walked back to the hotel stuffed ...a good 12km walk for the day.
PIC
out side marble  fresco's on Duomo walls
inside Duomo
opera house outside
last supper
early extra's of the boss enjoying herself
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