We gave "when in rome" a good ear bashing this week!

Epic Win!! When in Rome!! Epic Fail!! Brutal...These are the words that will be etched in my mind and will shadow the time we had in Munich, Venice and Rome.
We had a great time, moving on from Munich and heading in to Venice. Our last night in Munich was heaps of fun, but sad to say goodbye to a few more people. The only thing that makes up for that is meeting NEW people and having just as good time with them. I can recommend Busabout as much for the people you meet as the ease of travelling, easy accommodation booking/transfers and access to all sorts of tours in the local areas.

Venice is amazing. I didn't really know how I'd find it, but the first glimpse of the map and I remembered the game (San Marco) that I used to play with friends back in Tassie (thanks John D!) We met up with Brad and Erin (who we'd hung out with in Munich but first met in Vienna on the bike tour - and then also the grape grazing tour in Vienna) and Rohan, who I also met briefly that Vienna morning though under a different name (heehee). Michelle (otherwise known as Sth. Africa) was also in Venice, though we had only seen her briefly during a couple of stops - we were able to hang out heaps more during this leg of the trip.

We ended up with a great crew of people to head around Venice with, and I loved seeing the canals, as well as the housing around the canals, eating pizza and seeing so many markets with trinkets as well as the museums.Tash and I cruised into Venice with this motley crew, and had a blast. We had all had a big night the night before (as we were catching up with some old friends and making some new ones) and got to bed quite late. So most of us were quite tired and as it was very warm, we didn't stay right in the city for the whole day, but came back early and had dinner at the Hostel restaurant (great food!). It was about time for a rest day anyway! We did take a water taxi in to San Marco, and then go up the Bell tower, saving the Guggenheim for last (which we forgot to do, argh!) and also thinking we'd go to the Basillica the next day. Turns out the next day was a bit of a rest day for most, (sunburn by the pool, anyone?!) so I headed in with Rohan and we made our way slowly towards
the Accademia Museum. On the way we had fun visiting a few cool glass jewellery stores and just took our time through the streets of venice. Stopping for pics every 5 minutes, and to listen to a classical/jazz guitarist.
The Accademia museum that we went to was full of old Venitian Frescos taken from old churches and surrounds as well as some gorgeous Venetian depictions. Took us ages to get through the museum though, and I was glad that Rohan had a sore foot (hope it's feeling better now?) and had to stop every now and again, as I take WAY too long checking out individual paintings. What can I say, I love to look at art!

I was disappointed as the Guggenhem was closed on the Tuesday - but we made up for it by spending the rest of the afternoon travelling out to Murano and seeing the glass museum. It was quite extensive and covered many periods, but I admit I was hoping to see some more modern displays or even someone giving demonstrations. Maybe a bit too much to ask, but not knowing anything about the museum from the outset...

We were so tired from all the walking around that we both fell asleep on the water taxi back and missed our stop! We ended up at a point which happened to be closer to where we wanted to go anyway, so a good thing. We also had the fortune to amble around some actual non-tourist areas of Venice, which was more than worth it. My favourite time in Venice, I think. Made our way back without getting lost, which was also a bonus!


There was a toga party that night, and finally had a chance to hang out with our Canadian friends (Derek, Sarah and Erika) who we'd spent some time with on the grape grazing tour in Vienna - we all threw on some sheets and had a great night along with the rest of the crew at the hostel. Toga parties, all the way. When in Rome, ahem, Venice...
Anyone for a toga party when I get back to London??
(msg me on facebook ;)

So we finally made it to Rome, minus a few people who stayed on in Venice for a few days, but we eventually caught up with them on the last night there (last night).
Rome, what can I say. You were hot, dusty and never before have I needed to jump in a pool after just a few hours of sightseeing. We did a walking tour, which took us in to the Vatican museum (many brilliant sculptures and paintings Michalengelo and Bellini as well as their masters and understudies) St. Peter's Basillica and the Sistine Chapel. Great fun, but long, drawn out, grumpy and sweaty...we made sure our trip the next day was short and sweet. Heading out to the Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain (gorgeous, btw) and finally to the Collesium. Had a great day, but jumped into the pool feeling tired and satisfied.

Last night was great, as we had the new busabout load in and caught up with a few people that we'd not see for a while, a few newbies and some random people that were caught in our crossfire! We ended up with a bunch of about 25 people all crowded around one bungalow and played some weird woohoo game...don't ask. We rarely even had a go, thanks to James and Ben who were apparently masters, or so they claimed. Not so, James. ;)

So the frivolities of our last night were fun, and even though we have said goodbye to pretty much all our busabout crew and had our last achingly long busride - we are finally in Athens. It's very hot here and funnily enough one of our tour guides from our last leg of the busabout trip is here as well. (almost got away from busabout!!) We are very much looking forward to a bit of sightseeing here in Athens and then on Monday we head to the port for our 4 day cruise. Yay for some rest, pool time and rambling on Greek islands.

Then it's back to London for a time before Tash heads home. Definitely on the last legs of our trip, it's been so much fun - hope you've enjoyed the postcards...will try and fit in one more post before we head back. Starting to put some pics up on facebook, will not get the rest up on flickr before I head home though.