Brisbane
Date Time
Local
Date Time
Event, Location
The Travellers' Diary
Sun 14/07 23:00
Sun 14/07 15:00
Florence, Sheraton Firenze, Via G. Agnelli 33, 50126 - Florence, Italy t +39 (55) 64 901, f +39 (55) 680 747
We were almost relieved that it was raining in Florence. It dropped the temperature to around 21 C. Below is the Ponte Vecchio. In the Acadamie, we saw Michaelangelo's "David" and it was "wow". Very interesting also, were many of his unfinished sculptures, where the figure seemed to struggle out of the rock. He didn't ever make moulds, or even drawings. He just sculpted from the rock! Pictures were not allowed!
Mon 15/07 8:00
Mon 15/07 0:00
JPC resumes
Mon 15/07 23:00
Mon 15/07 15:00
Nice 2nts, Boscolo Atlantic , 12, Blvd Victor Hugo 06000 Nice t +33 (4) 9703 8989, f +33 (4) 9388 6860
The next day, we watched a very interesting and technical video on the way to Pisa, about the problems with the lean of the structure. By the time they got to the 3rd storey, there was a lean. Thank goodness, they then gave it 100 years to settle, before they recommenced work. As you can see, it is actually curved, as they tried to make up for the lean. Adjacent to it is another magnificent church and a Baptistry - also very impressive. We proceeded onto Monaco, where the billionaires play. The water was very clear, and the place very neat, and money was dripping everywhere.
Tue 16/07
Two nights in Nice followed. Nice is nice. Very clean. Especially compared to Italy! We took a trip up into the hill overlooking Nice to the village of Saint Paul de Vence. This was voted top town or village of the whole trip. It was georgeous. Lashed out and bought some jeans and a jacket. Weather perfect as well.
Wed 17/07 9:00
Wed 17/07 1:00
Andrew: Produce key drawings for animation
Wed 17/07 13:47
Wed 17/07 5:47
1st Qtr
Wed 17/07 23:00
Wed 17/07 15:00
Beaune, Novotel, 16, Rue du Moulin Noize, 21200 BEAUNE FRANCE t +33 (3) 8024 5900, f +33 (3) 8024 5929
Le Pont D'Avignon. On leaving Nice, we had a big drive, to Beaune, about 3-4 hours south of Paris. On the way, we saw the famous bridge at Avignon (as in the song). It only has 4 spans left. Although it was built in the 12th century, the rest of it was washed away in the 17th century. Behind it is the Palais des Papes ( Pope's palace) built in the 14th century, when the Pope moved from Rome.
Thu 18/07 23:00
Thu 18/07 15:00
Paris 3nts, Mercure Tour Eiffel Suffren , 20, rue Jean Rey 75015 PARIS FRANCE t +33 (1) 4578 5000 , f +33 (1) 4578 9142
Notre Dame. On arriving in Paris, on a beautiful day, we first saw Notre Dame. Most famous are the "rose" windows. Begun in 1163, and completed in 1345, it is a great example of Gothic architecture with its flying butresses and its gargoyles.
Then we went to the second level of the Eiffel tower, which was within a stone's throw of our hotel. Above is the view down towards the Military college. The soldiers learn to march up and down this patch of green.
Fri
The next day, it was off to the Louvre. The Mona Lisa truly does deserve all the accolades. Venus de Milo wasn't bad.
Below is the Hall of Mirrors where the "Treaty of Versaille"was signed, and also on the right is a view of the gardens, which were lovely. Once again, we were grateful to avoid the crowds by having a special group early entrance. We all thought the palace at Schonbrunn had the edge on Versailles.
Sat
Musee D'Orsay: The next day was big on art. When we get back to Aussie land we will have to further our education by learning much more about art and foreign languages. In the morning we went to Monet's house at Giverny in Normandy and toured his house and beautiful garden. Another lovely day. In the afternoon, at the Musee D'Orsay, we saw the same views in his famous pictures, as well as lots of works by other impressionists, and Renoir and Van Gough etc., A model of the Paris Opera House was in the Musee D'Orsay, and in it you can see the river running under the building, providing the background for the story of the "Phantom of the Opera".
Monet's Garden
Mon 22/07 1:00
Sun 21/07 16:00
London Kensington Hilton, Holland Park Ave t +44 (20) 7603 3355, f +44 (20) 7602 9397