Easter , a week off what a lucky break...

Had really good meals in a couple of Rome eating institutions. Fried cod is big and so are artichokes, delicious.

I learned that the Roman Empire was bigger than big. Rome was a treat, on a grand scale. Every corner revealed lovely sights.

Bring back your credit card he called as I sadly left without this lovely leather jacket.



Flagged the museums in Florence to head up the hill and eat pizza. I have clearly overindulged.



I just love the curves and cobblestones. Biking round Lucca was nice, a beautiful little Tuscan town protected by massively thick 16th-century walls. Much of the centre is free of traffic another plus.

Walked the Cinque Terre, named five lands. The area is named for five tiny villages wedged into a series of coves between sheer cliffs walking between them afforded stunning coastline vistas.