Chillin' (?) in Verona

Arrived yesterday afternoon after a very hectic drive from Milan. Think M62 to Manchester in rush hour and that covers it - both in 'busyness' and time. Plus the Italian style of driving takes a bit of getting used to.

The drive was more than compensated by the lovely apartment which was fully and completely modernised a month ago. It still smells new.

 

Photos courtesy of Louise..

Just had a lazy morning so off out to explore later today.

Shop 'til you drop

Off into the centre of Milan today, had a look round and a bit of a window shop then the girls got into their stride and started to 'fill their boots' or to be more exact fill Dad's rucksack.
We also went into the 3rd largest church in the world - Duomo di Milano it's big!
Oh and it rained....

Get out the shot..........ok gimme chance

Come on Mum join in.....Y....M.....

The Drive to Milan

We decided to take the scenic route to Milan as the main route had a 16km 3 hr delay just getting in to the Gotthard Tunnel, this on top of a 2.5 hr drive. It was a tough but rewarding drive, we went over 2 mountain passes Grimsel & Simplon the scenery was simply jaw dropping the whole 5 hrs. We even saw the glacier which is the source of the Rhone and climbed on 6 ft high snow drifts...in July!
Here's a few photos but as ever they rarely do it justice the first 4 are on the Grimsel Pass, the last 2 the Simplon Pass

Rhone Glacier

Mount Pilatus

Where do I start?
THE most stunning days sightseeing and driving.
We went to over 2000 metres (6500 ft) 3 separate times today.
We started the day by leaving Lucerne and driving to the bottom of Mount Pilatus and on to the most amazing cog railway which took us up our first big hill - we did have to do the last few hundred feet on foot up the 2 high spots so we like to think we worked hard for it!

One for the kids.....

Then on to Milan via the long road through the Alps.....

Still hot hot hot in Lucerne

27/7/13
We drove down to Lucerne today, a mere 2.5 hours - a 'pop to the shop' distance for us!!
Going through the border post at Basel was a bit bizarre, you queue up to go through Customs and when you get there they ask you for 40 euros and stick a vignette in the windscreen. It's like they charge you to enter the country!
Anyway went for a look round Lucerne and it's covered medieval bridge a lovely little city which has fantastic views of the alps over the lake. (Click to enlarge)

Hotel internet too slow to post on the day, sorry!

Slowly melting in Strasbourg

No miles added to our total today, went on the tram. However the vital stat of the day is 34c. The temperature in this part of France.
We started the day with a bracing walk up the 330 steps of the cathedral, then a look inside; some great photos to be had (click to enlarge)

After a wander round the town we went on a boat ride which was a little long in the baking heat, but showed us around the city.

Another stroll around town helped us catch up with the rest of the places we wanted to see then back to the air conditioned comfort of the hotel.

A nice wee city that is do-able in a day or so.

A party going on in the Space University ( I kid you not) across the way. Hoping to get some sleep at some point. :-( 

The Holiday Starts Here

Strasbourg
309 & 410 - The important numbers of the last 2 days; the number miles I've driven yesterday and today. I didn't realise how varied the countryside in the UK is until I drove the width of France today, mile after mile of gently rolling hills with wheat fields ripening in the sun which go on and on and on only broken by 'lovely' toll plazas which relieve you of 10-15 euros every 100 miles.
A necessary evil to get us to where we want to be, from now on only a few hours in the car at any one time.
So to 'celebrate' I've treated myself to an expensive bottle of wine;

The Grand Plan