[klyne]

We recently returned from a 7 week tour of mainly Italy but also traveled through France, Germany and Austria. At long last I have the finished the final version of the blog complete with pictures. I hope those of you that like such things enjoy it. Feedback, questions welcome

The Italian Blog

David

[Clubman]

Another great read David, I was with every mile! Brought back many memories especially around Lake Garda and Venice. We used the Union Lido site at Cavallino for the few times we went that way. You really should invest in a twin tub washing machine tho' - you'd be quids in!!

[klyne]

Clubman, on Jul 28 2009, 03:18 PM, said:

Another great read David, I was with every mile! Brought back many memories especially around Lake Garda and Venice. We used the Union Lido site at Cavallino for the few times we went that way. You really should invest in a twin tub washing machine tho' - you'd be quids in!!

I have often wondered about Union Lido (which we passed en route) but always thought it a bit far from the ferry, although in reality it would have made no difference as we ended up driving to Punta Sabbione! Washing and supermarkets do take up a lot of time :lol:

David

[John Douglas]

Reading David’s excellent article reminded my of our last visit to Venice when we stayed at CaSavio. One of the day trips we made was to the Island of Murano to see the glass-blowers at work. We were so fascinated by their skill in one of the workshops; we thought it would be worthwhile to purchase an example of their work to take home with us. We spent a considerable amount of time choosing a piece, and in spite of the relatively high price, we decided to have it. Back home, it finally took pride of place in our cabinet. Several weeks later, wishing to appreciate the craftsmanship again, I removed the bowl from the shelf. Upon turning against the light, I was appalled to notice two feint opposing lines across the base. Only then did I realize that the bowl wasn’t blown but in fact was a moulded article. The tiny label reads “Murano Glass”. Beware! All is not as it might seem.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i53/Johndug/P1020579.jpg

[Clubman]

We visited Murano in summer 1969, was it that long ago?, and was persuaded to buy a Murano swan that was "blown" in front of us. It is about 3" long and tall, and whilst I can't remember what it cost other than I couldn't afford it (a lowly soldier in those days stationed in Berlin) and condidered it the most expensive piece of glass ever produced , but we still have it on display, I suppose it's an antique now, a bit like me - memories.

[TedNewman]

Haven't read your blog yet David BUT as we hope to do Italy next year (this years event was cancelled due to wife's mother being ill) we shall certainly be reading it later!

As a BTW we did eventually get away for an extended tour of France (got back two days ago) and we used Blackhorse Farm and had no problems with the 'ferry pitch' - met a fellow inter-netter there - RogerR (I think) didn't have much time to chat though

Murano - well worth a visit - I still have some 'port' glasses I purchased there back in 1966 - got a good discount being a 'tour driver/courier' that was also the summer I met my wife, another courier working for the same company Global Overland! Great days................

[paulthomas]

Brilliant David.Many thanks.Will pluck up courage and go to Umbria and Tuscany next year.Have been before but never with 'van in tow.

[Jacqui F-J]

Was interested to see your Blog as we are hoping to travel to Venice next year. I have been trying to plot a route to Venice with the intention of taking a week to get there stopping off enroute for a couple of days at various sites on the way down. We then plan to spend a week in Venice on the coast and travel back via Millau in France (to see the new bridge) again over a week. The problem I have encountered is our van is just under 8m long and we have to travel in the school holidays and most campsites in the Caravan Club brochure have a minimum stay of 7 nights - if any one can help with a route or any tips I would be very grateful as we have never attempted anything this ambitious before.

[John Douglas]

Jacqui F-J, on Aug 3 2009, 05:21 PM, said:

We then plan to spend a week in Venice on the coast and travel back via Millau in France

Without a doubt, the Viaduct at Millau is a sight that's worth seeing, but it's certainly a wide detour to see it on the way home from Venice. Direct mileage from Calais to Venice is something like 850 miles. Go by Millau and you're looking at 1250 miles.

[klyne]

Jacqui F-J, on Aug 3 2009, 05:21 PM, said:

Was interested to see your Blog as we are hoping to travel to Venice next year. I have been trying to plot a route to Venice with the intention of taking a week to get there stopping off enroute for a couple of days at various sites on the way down. We then plan to spend a week in Venice on the coast and travel back via Millau in France (to see the new bridge) again over a week. The problem I have encountered is our van is just under 8m long and we have to travel in the school holidays and most campsites in the Caravan Club brochure have a minimum stay of 7 nights - if any one can help with a route or any tips I would be very grateful as we have never attempted anything this ambitious before.

Jacqui

I do tend to agree with John regarding your wished for return journey via Millau it is a very long way round. Given that to go to Venice is a long journey in itself might it be better to keep Millau for another time?

With regards to campsites. Lots of campsites do make that provision about booking a minimum stay but if you turned up I assume you could stay for as long as you wanted. Camping Miramare at Punta Sabbione does not take bookings and as its not directly on the beach it tends to have a turnover of pitches each day as it tends to be used by people more interested in visiting Venice than sitting on a beach. A year or so ago it did have its own beach on the lagoon but this has disappered under the Venice Barrage! You can or course drive/cycle/walk to the Lighthouse where the Lagoon meets the sea, there is a big beach there. However there are dozens of campsite all along that road and I know that Tim and Cary that post on this forum tend not to book but still go in the school holidays (I think they could be away now) With such a big caravn you will need to watch pitch size, Ca Savio would be OK as the put the CC units on the larger pitches but some Italian campsites have quite small pitches where you might struggle. Have you thought about e-mailing a couple of sites asking about booking and pitch size?

David

[Jacqui F-J]

Thanks for the advice.

We might have to consider seeing the bridge another time (if I can convince my hubby to wait)

[jan69c]

David,
Haven't read all the blog yet, but as usual, fantastic reviews and photos.

[burstneraddict]

David,

Thank you for taking the time and trouble, yet again, to produce such a fascinating and detailed account of your journey: it makes a great read. We towed to Italy some 20 years ago but it was for a 3 year stay not a holiday. Your blog brought back memories of that journey and the visits we made to NE Italy.

For those inspired by David's blog to visit Venice, there is an alternative to using the crowded sites nearby. We always arrived by train as there is a frequent, fast and inexpensive service and Italian trains do seem to run on time. You do need to catch a train to Venice - Santa Lucia as there is a station on the mainland called Venice - Mestre where trains stop just before continuing to Venice itself. I think that we travelled there from Vicenza as well as another small town whose name I have forgotten close to Venice itself. You simply walk out of the railway station and the quay with lots of Vaporretos (motor launches - the equivalent of buses) is straight in front of you. If my memory is correct, the No 2 is an express vaporetto which takes you along the Union Canal.

My wife also discovered a local gondola ferry across the canal from the fish market to the other side which for about 20p gave us a gondola experience without paying the extortionate hire fee and then sitting in a slow moving queue of other gondolas. However, at that price the gondolier refused to serenade us!! These ferries are called Traghetti and run across the canals in several places - you need a map to find them - and they simply shuttle back and forth.

This post has been edited by burstneraddict: 08 August 2009 - 08:22 AM

[southcoastsounds]

David

A wonderful read as always. You are an inspiring traveller indeed.

Can I ask what camera you use please? Your photos are excellent. It could be this says a lot for the modern compact camera but I suspect you're using something rather better than that.

all the best, Tom

[klyne]

southcoastsounds, on Aug 16 2009, 06:50 PM, said:

David

A wonderful read as always. You are an inspiring traveller indeed.

Can I ask what camera you use please? Your photos are excellent. It could be this says a lot for the modern compact camera but I suspect you're using something rather better than that.

all the best, Tom

Tom

Thanks for the kind comments. The camera I use is an Olympus C5060 which I suppose can be described as a high end viewfinder camera. It is 5 years old now so I am not sure what I would replace it with as unfortunately Olympus don't seem to have continued with a high build quality camera similar to mine. They do similar cameras but they don't have metal bodies or rechargeable batteries. I would think about a compact DSLR but it would still be bigger than what I have.

David

[southcoastsounds]

klyne, on Aug 16 2009, 07:45 PM, said:

I would think about a compact DSLR but it would still be bigger than what I have.

David

David

Thanks for that. I use a so-called "bridge" camera - a Canon S5 IS (now no longer available although only 18 months old).

My current object of desire is the new Olympus Pen

http://snipurl.com/q8ayf [www_amazon_co_uk]

Interchangeable lenses but with a small body (and a big price)

Cheers, Tom

[klyne]

Tom

It has a very nice retro look and I am sure very well spec'd. The only reason I don't think I would consider it is the fact it does not appear to have a view finder. I always used to struggle to compose when I had a Yaschia two and a quarter inch camera! I would be concerned that just using a screen I would not be able to take as good pictures. It would be a bit of a risk for me.

David

[southcoastsounds]

klyne, on Aug 16 2009, 10:45 PM, said:

it does not appear to have a view finder.

David

The view finder is an optional extra and clips on top! Apparently they could only keep it to a compact size by adopting this solution

Tom

[JanB]

David - I looked at this camera, the viewfinder is an extra £99. That was the deciding factor for me as I too like a viewfinder to look through and the Olympus screen is the one part of the camera which gets slated. I ended up buying the Panasonc G1 and am very happy with it, the viewfinder is very good, the kit lens is (35mm equivalent) 28mm to 90mm.

[agzy]

klyne, on 27 July 2009 - 09:00 PM, said:

We recently returned from a 7 week tour of mainly Italy but also traveled through France, Germany and Austria. At long last I have the finished the final version of the blog complete with pictures. I hope those of you that like such things enjoy it. Feedback, questions welcome

The Italian Blog

David

Having been away wandering around England and Wales since mid May, this is the first I've seen of your annual blog. Thanks again, we always enjoy it although it doesn't persuade 'SWAMBO' that we should revisit Italy etc. although I'm sure we will before I get too old. Not read your 2009 caravanning article yet but I'm sure that the standard of writing and photography will be maintained. Thanks again David, Harry Pleavin