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Post by chech on Apr 11, 2016 5:24:40 GMT
Yeah, that's how I remember it from 1994...we just walked up to it, threw a coin and went on. The savagery of the people there yesterday was unsettling. At one point, I had people on both sides of me pushing me as they tried to get photos of people who themselves were trying to push me aside. I've been to hustle and bustle photo points but generally people have the patience to wait for people in front of them to finish or the respect to peer between people to take pics without shoving you. Trevi was like trying to start a line-up in China. And selfie sticks are all the rage for the peddlars. I'm holding a DSLR styled camera and they're trying to sell it to me....I just hold it up and make a face like "seriously?" That usually does the trick. LOL Off to the relative calm of Florence today.
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Post by Boop on Apr 11, 2016 17:35:13 GMT
I am really amazed at the amount of people who now travel to Rome and other places, in the off season. Seeing chechs photo of the Trevi fountain (beautiful photo too) and the crowd there, made me go and look at the 2 photos that I had taken (of the crowds). The first one was on the 27th Sept 2007 and the 2nd one on the 26th Sept 2013 Just a bit of a change. Boop, many thanks for sharing chech's photos. Nice pics Pauline! When I was there in 2009, the crowds at Trevi were similar to the crowds in your 2013 picture. It was very difficult to move around and trying to take a nice photo was awkward, seemed like everyone was shoving and jockeying for position. To me, I just wanted to get out of there, relax and grab some pizza in a tiny out of the way restauranto...lolol!! Did manage to throw a coin basketball style into the fountain...........so hopefully, I will be going back one day!! (you are very welcome, I'm happy to share Chech's beautiful photos...she is genius at photo-taking!)
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Post by Boop on Apr 11, 2016 17:40:22 GMT
More Chech-pics! Domes of Florence Towers of Florence Ponte Vecchio
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Post by Boop on Apr 12, 2016 19:40:46 GMT
<<insert huge sigh...>> Chech's Italian ice creama! ....first chocolate was poured into the base, then I could have up to four flavours of ice cream with the fresh hot chocolate and peanut rim on the waffle cone and topped with whipped cream. 8.50 Euro. It's a wonder I didn't drop in on my way back this evening. <<*sigh*>>
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Post by Boop on Apr 12, 2016 21:49:59 GMT
Chech in Florence Duomo Enough said........ Vasari Corridor Judging from the ice cream, etc. she is having an amazing time!!
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Post by Oz-T on Apr 12, 2016 23:28:19 GMT
I can tell you've done a lot of walking around Italy, Ms Boop.... ... You left your shoes behind.
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Post by tiffany on Apr 13, 2016 13:14:42 GMT
I am really amazed at the amount of people who now travel to Rome and other places, in the off season. Seeing chechs photo of the Trevi fountain (beautiful photo too) and the crowd there, made me go and look at the 2 photos that I had taken (of the crowds). The first one was on the 27th Sept 2007 and the 2nd one on the 26th Sept 2013 Just a bit of a change. Boop, many thanks for sharing chech's photos. Nice pics Pauline! When I was there in 2009, the crowds at Trevi were similar to the crowds in your 2013 picture. It was very difficult to move around and trying to take a nice photo was awkward, seemed like everyone was shoving and jockeying for position. To me, I just wanted to get out of there, relax and grab some pizza in a tiny out of the way restauranto...lolol!! Did manage to throw a coin basketball style into the fountain...........so hopefully, I will be going back one day!! (you are very welcome, I'm happy to share Chech's beautiful photos...she is genius at photo-taking!) I was there in 2007 and 2009, and both times it was crowded. In 2007 I managed to get a picture of myself throwing a coin into the fountain, but I didn't even try the second time I was there in 2009. I didn't want to fight the crowd to get to the fountain.
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Post by chech on Apr 13, 2016 19:10:17 GMT
I fought the crowd since I had time to kill. I got to the lowest level and waited for the guy at the edge to finish and took his spot. That's how it's supposed to be....but since he was quite a bit bigger than me, there were several inches to the left and right of me. Guessing those others thought it was an invitation. Still regret not elbowing them all into the pool. LOLOL Florence, by comparison, has been a treat. Tourists here are so much more civilized and relaxed. Wonder if Venice will be the same.
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Post by Tulips on Apr 13, 2016 21:48:01 GMT
The crowds at the Trevi were just as big when I was last there as well.
i suspect Venice will be busy also, but you can get off the main tourist areas and really enjoy the off the beaten path Venice.
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Post by Boop on Apr 13, 2016 21:55:42 GMT
I can tell you've done a lot of walking around Italy, Ms Boop.... ... You left your shoes behind. Hahahah Mr. Oz!! Almost true, the shoes I wore in Italy weren't left behind in that country....they met their demise in a garbage can in Vegas! I really don't even know how they made it out of Europe, they were definitely the wrong type of walking sneakers to bring but I was a travelling neophyte and had no knowledge of traveller forums so made a few wrong choices I've wised up since then!!
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Post by Boop on Apr 13, 2016 21:58:56 GMT
I fought the crowd since I had time to kill. I got to the lowest level and waited for the guy at the edge to finish and took his spot. That's how it's supposed to be....but since he was quite a bit bigger than me, there were several inches to the left and right of me. Guessing those others thought it was an invitation. Still regret not elbowing them all into the pool. LOLOL Florence, by comparison, has been a treat. Tourists here are so much more civilized and relaxed. Wonder if Venice will be the same. Guarantee Venice will be crowded, but it will be a dream to visit!! I definitely need to go back there and and thinking of tacking it onto the tail end of a trip to the Balkans.....you never know, all I know is that I have to see those gondoliers one more time...............the ones in Vegas are just not the same!! LOLOL!!
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Post by Boop on Apr 13, 2016 22:01:03 GMT
Nice pics Pauline! When I was there in 2009, the crowds at Trevi were similar to the crowds in your 2013 picture. It was very difficult to move around and trying to take a nice photo was awkward, seemed like everyone was shoving and jockeying for position. To me, I just wanted to get out of there, relax and grab some pizza in a tiny out of the way restauranto...lolol!! Did manage to throw a coin basketball style into the fountain...........so hopefully, I will be going back one day!! (you are very welcome, I'm happy to share Chech's beautiful photos...she is genius at photo-taking!) I was there in 2007 and 2009, and both times it was crowded. In 2007 I managed to get a picture of myself throwing a coin into the fountain, but I didn't even try the second time I was there in 2009. I didn't want to fight the crowd to get to the fountain. LOL tiffany......I was likely blocking your throw into Trevi.....I, too, was there in 2009, in June, it was my 1st tour!!
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Post by Boop on Apr 13, 2016 22:07:26 GMT
Chech in Siena, San Gimignano, Tuscany Siena San Gimignano Tuscany
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Post by Boop on Apr 13, 2016 22:19:16 GMT
Strange San Gimignano coincidence.............. Chech's "wild boar" April, 2016 My "wild boar" June, 2009 LOLOL!! and she almost picked up two hitchhikers....no room to stuff them in her backpack though...
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Post by californian on Apr 13, 2016 23:29:13 GMT
More Chech in Rome Domes of Rome Castel Sant Angelo....as seen in Angels and Demons To me, Castel Sant'Angelo means Puccini, E lucevan le stelle, Mario Caravadossi and Tosca...I took my granddaugher there just to think of the place when listening to one of the most beloved Puccini arias...Haven't read Angeles and Demons although I have had the book for years, one of these days...
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Post by chech on Apr 14, 2016 5:07:16 GMT
It was interesting to see where Dan Brown took his liberties to make the story work. A fascinating look into what was real and what was modified. The story of The Ectasy of Saint Teresa was fascinating. And the guide was fabulous. And Boop...there is a TT tour that starts in Venice and does Croatia. It that had been offered in 2012, I would have done that one.
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Post by tiffany on Apr 14, 2016 13:45:26 GMT
I was there in 2007 and 2009, and both times it was crowded. In 2007 I managed to get a picture of myself throwing a coin into the fountain, but I didn't even try the second time I was there in 2009. I didn't want to fight the crowd to get to the fountain. LOL tiffany......I was likely blocking your throw into Trevi.....I, too, was there in 2009, in June, it was my 1st tour!! I was there in September/October of 2009, so you were not the guilty culprit! It was tour number three for me, and my second tour of Italy in two years.
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Post by tiffany on Apr 14, 2016 13:53:04 GMT
It was interesting to see where Dan Brown took his liberties to make the story work. A fascinating look into what was real and what was modified. The story of The Ectasy of Saint Teresa was fascinating. And the guide was fabulous. And Boop...there is a TT tour that starts in Venice and does Croatia. It that had been offered in 2012, I would have done that one. I think the tour you're talking about is called "The Balkans and Venice". Trafalgar added it a few years ago, and it's on my list of tours to take. It starts in Zagreb, Croatia, travel's south through Croatia before traveling north, and then stops in Ljubjana, Slovenia for one day before heading to Venice for two days. I like this tour because it takes you to a lot of cities in Croatia, unlike other tours of Croatia.
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Post by Boop on Apr 14, 2016 17:16:52 GMT
It was interesting to see where Dan Brown took his liberties to make the story work. A fascinating look into what was real and what was modified. The story of The Ectasy of Saint Teresa was fascinating. And the guide was fabulous. And Boop...there is a TT tour that starts in Venice and does Croatia. It that had been offered in 2012, I would have done that one. Yes, I am interested in doing that one!!
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Post by Boop on Apr 14, 2016 17:20:42 GMT
It was interesting to see where Dan Brown took his liberties to make the story work. A fascinating look into what was real and what was modified. The story of The Ectasy of Saint Teresa was fascinating. And the guide was fabulous. And Boop...there is a TT tour that starts in Venice and does Croatia. It that had been offered in 2012, I would have done that one. I think the tour you're talking about is called "The Balkans and Venice". Trafalgar added it a few years ago, and it's on my list of tours to take. It starts in Zagreb, Croatia, travel's south through Croatia before traveling north, and then stops in Ljubjana, Slovenia for one day before heading to Venice for two days. I like this tour because it takes you to a lot of cities in Croatia, unlike other tours of Croatia. This tour was brought to my attention by my TD on my Christmas tour. He is from Slovenia and even though he is from there, he said this is his favourite Trafalgar tour! I'm sold on this tour and it will definitely be my next one, if there is a next one...lolol!! I so want to go back to Venice as well, so its the perfect tour for me. Maybe I can sneak back to Prague while I'm over there...hehehehe. Only this time I will have to time it so I can be there at Christmas and into January........when the snow falls!
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Post by Boop on Apr 15, 2016 21:41:45 GMT
Chech in Venice.......so jealous.... Sunset over Venice Burano Everyone parks so nicely in Burano
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Post by plane2catch on Apr 15, 2016 22:16:45 GMT
Absolutely love the middle picture of Burano. Both the reflection of the buildings in the water along with the tree shadows cast on the building make this picture so beautiful. I think Chech ought to consider entering it into a photo contest. I believe there is money to be made with this picture.
In a way with the pastel colors and green leaves it reminds me of an impressionist painting.
I think it is spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by tiffany on Apr 16, 2016 13:38:12 GMT
All of these beautiful pictures are making me want to go through my old pictures of Italy! They are also making me want to go back there sooner than planned! This looks like a great trip so far!
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Post by chech on Apr 16, 2016 15:17:53 GMT
I'm loving all the free time this tour gives us. Each city had 2 full days with an extra half day since we always arrives via rail by 1 pm-ish. Then we got an included tour the first morning and had the other day and a half to do an optional or anything else we wanted. The local host would arrange anything regardless of whether Monograms offered it as an optional. And they happily confirmed all my Viator booked tours. I just spent the day getting lost in Venice. This is the only city in the world where you can be looking at a map and someone asks if you're lost. You say yes and just keep walking with a smile on your face. LOL
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joyb
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by joyb on Apr 16, 2016 15:33:57 GMT
The posted pictures bring back a lot of memories for me. Did a tour of Italy in 2013 and absolutely loved it. Burano and Venice were two of my favorite spots.
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Post by Boop on Apr 16, 2016 16:53:03 GMT
More Venice from Chech........ Her pictures never dissapoint!!
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Post by Tulips on Apr 16, 2016 20:39:52 GMT
How many are on the tour?
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Post by chech on Apr 17, 2016 4:22:11 GMT
It depends. The tour runs from Sorrento to Rome to Florence to Venice and does that it either direction, but one can do some combination of the cities. They can do all four or start in Rome and end in Venice or start in Venice and end in Rome or Sorrento. I think they can also do just Sorrento and Rome or vice versa and just Florence or just Rome etc. (Like TT's City Breaks tour). So, two other couples started with me in Sorrento. We met a couple more in Rome. In Florence, we joined up with those coming from Venice and did the included tour together. And except for the train travel, Monograms optionals and the morning included tour, I don't see them again until the next travel day. So far, none have taken the optional tours that I have - but I didn't sign up for a lot offered by Monograms this time. My Viator choices have, so far, worked out great and the local hosts have all called to confirm for me. The local hosts will also arrange anything that is possible. When I got to Sorrento, I had one day free and the afternoon of the included tour free (I was there for five full days). I told her I wanted to see Capri but also wanted to see Herculaneum and asked her which one I should do. She said do both. She arranged a tour of Capri for me and told me how I could do Herculaneum on my own. I also found the local hosts here far more involved than in Australia. There, I saw the local host in Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne and only when I arrived. I had their phone numbers and they gave me everything I needed. Here, the local hosts had lobby hours, came with us on our included tours and on our transfers so I saw much more of them. I use Monograms again for the South America tour in June. The tour is practically identical to TT's Best of South America with the Easter Island extension but costs several thousand less, so it's a great option for those that aren't afraid to travel on their own (I've been the only solo) but want stuff taken care of. I like the freedom to do what I want on free days and knowing the timings of the free time ahead of time lets me browse Viator. Monograms only shortcoming is that it only has a limited selection of trips, but I'll use them anytime I can.
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Post by Boop on Apr 18, 2016 16:40:57 GMT
Chech in Sicily... Mt. Etna Walking one of Etna's side vent craters The moonscape of Etna So far..........not a cat to be seen
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Post by chech on Apr 18, 2016 17:30:52 GMT
Ask and you shall receive. LOL Oh.....I finally bought a shirt....Etna sweat shirt. Haven't bought a single t-shirt yet. And haven't had a single Coke.
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