I'll be riding down from here to Florence next week, spending two or three nights en-route, as it were. Probably going via St Bernard Tunnel through to the Aosta valley. From there I've currently no plans. So, can anyone recommend any particular towns, roads, hotels, restaurant, whores or anything else that would be worth visiting? Any suggestions welcome, ta. -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
well, nothing for on your way down, but head a little bit further south of Florence to San Gigmignano - great place, nice little torture museum...
Well Stresa on lake Maggiore and take the tour out to the palace on the island, the one famous for the mosaics and white peacocks. The old classic hotel there, Grande I think it is, has lovely white alabaster rooms with sunken baths. The owner, probably passed on now, was a POW in Scottieland and very fond of the breed. 'Hog
Ta, I'll bear it in mind. Stressa was on the 'possible' list when J was coming with me (in the cage). I'll prolly visit it some time, but it seems likely that it'll be full of Swiss people coming over the St. Gottard. We get 2.5 days off at the end of next week, you see... Please tell me you're not talking about rats. -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
Looks good. This was one of the places you wrote up in "Bear does Italy" back in 2002? Where would you recommend eating? Err, I'm coming from as lot further north and ending up further south, so no, I don't think it would be. -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
Aosta itself is a very pleasant place for an overnight stay. Bologna is meant to be worth a visit, tho I've not been there. Siena, about 30 miles south east of Florence, is lovely too.
Ta, I'll put them into the equation. -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
I'm afraid I only know the NW bits, never got across more eastwards; Did Rimini many moons ago - loads of good looking burds [1] trolling round on scooters and San Marino was quite good [2]. [1] mostlty spoilt by hairy armpits [2] nice twisty road - some bloke got excited waving a loolipop thing at me [3] [3] apparently the Police - lucky not to be shot at for not stopping according to an Italian mate
I take it, that at this time of the year, most of the passes will still be closed? -- Alex BMW R1150GS DIAABTCOD#3 MSWF#4 UKRMFBC#6 Ibw#35 BOB#8 http://www.team-ukrm.co.uk Windy's "little soldier"
<Snip more info> Cheers for that, it's printed off and will go in my tank bag. Sounds exactly my sort of thing. If you ever get round to visiting us here you'll see that's the sort of place we choose to live in too (gold taps notwithstanding;-) Cheers -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
I'm assuming so, given that there were big dumps of snow less than two weeks ago and that some ski resorts are still open. Of course, I could just ignore the 'Fermé' signs and drive up anyway to see if I can find a wall of snow. Now, who do we know that might do a thing like that? -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
Ah, Aosta. I was either drinking, eating or jumping out of airplanes. Wonderful place. Jolly good sense of humor too. http://kb6owt.home.mindspring.com/glider.jpg Look at the registration 'number'. -- Mike SV650 UKRMMA#22 Skype: muddycat
It's not like he's not been invited. Several times. The weather here has finally turned nice (sunny and 24C today) which will enable the terracing round the pool to finally be finished, as will the boiler replacement which the pool heating was waiting on, so we should be enjoying the pool as of next week... or at least, Jude will - I'll be away in Italy for a week :-} -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
Squeezyjet from Liverpool (or Luton) from about 30 quid return. Eh? you can cook and use a supermarket, can't you? Well yes, there is that... -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
I dunno about classier. I found both places, and the difference between them, very interesting: Florence has a very obvious air of the renaissance about it, while Sienna seems much more medieval. I'd *love* to visit Sienna during the Palio mind - must get round to doing that one day.
OK, "classier" was a poor choice of words. I meant it was a bit less (non Italian) touristy, and a bit more "authentic" seeming. Oh absolutely. I've been there shortly before it in 2003 when all the flags and colours are on display - I'm sure the actual event is amazing.
We'll[1] be in Florence from Sun-Fri, so I think we'll see enough of that. Dunno if I'll get the chance to do Sienna as well - I need to be back on the Friday evening - it's Jude's birthday and her folks are flying over, so I should probably make an appearance :-} What/when is the 'Palio'? [1] This is a work trip, BTW, but we'll be doing a bit of sightseeing, I imagine, especially if it involves lots of eating and drinking. -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2 `\|/` `
