Itinerary
Leave Vancouver Sept 3rd
Arrive Venice Sept 4th
Drive to Villa in Tuscany Sept 6th
Villa (Bibbiena) Sept 6 - 13th
Drive to Cinque Terre Sept 13th
Monterossa, Cinque Terre Sept 13th - 15h
Train to Milan Sept 15th
Fly to Mykonos Sept 16th
Mykonos Sept 16th -19th
Fly to Santorini Sept 19th
Santorini Sept 19th - 23rd
Fly to Crete Sept 23rd - 27th
Fly to Athens Sept 27th
Athens to Amsterdam Sept 27th
Fly Home Sept 28th
Venice
We had 2 nights and 1 full day in one of the most beautiful cities we have ever seen. We stayed in the Hilton (very luxurious) which was on an island all its own. The Bologna Family appear to be famous as we recieved VIP treatment.(complimentary food and drinks whenever we wanted it). We shopped and toured then ended the day with a romantic gondola ride.
Drive from Venice to Bibbiena
....2 cars.... 2 Teams....1 GPS....poor signage....Italian Beaches...beautiful countryside...crazy Italian driving...emotions heightened...windy roads...car sickness....
THE BOLOGNA FAMILY ARRIVE AT CASA CARDINALE
Giostra Del Saracino
Sunday September 7th -We attended a famous annual Festival in Arezzo at the Piazza Grande. (A jousting match).
Disaster Strikes Santorini!!!!!
Bologna Family survives worst rain storm in 25 years. Harrowing cliffside drive home by maniac driver, in white out fog conditions leaves some family members visiably shaken (soiled gaunch). Carol's birthday celebration reduced to pyjama party with pizza and wine and wine and also some wine.
Crete
Many of us may want to return to Crete... as we didn't see much of it. We were given 2 rental cars at the airport with very little gas. We drove to our hotel and relaxed the rest of the day. The next morning, after our beautful gourmet buffet breakfast, we set out in our cars to fill the tanks and tour the island. The first gas station we came to, the attendant did not speak english but motioned to us that he had no gas . Puzzled, we proceeded to the next gas station (only 10 kms away) to find out that there has been a gas strike for the last two days. We had enough gas to return to our hotel. Immediately, we phoned the rental car company and coincidentally, their english skills deteriorated. After many hours of anxiety and frustration, we cut our losses and enjoyed the remainder of our stay in the compounds of our lovely resort property. Oh well!
Un più sonno ( one more sleep)
