A Day at the Colosseum

Sardines are a common sea food in the Mediterranean area, as are the passengers arranged on the Metro trains in the morning in Roma. We were on our way to the Roman ruins and the Colosseo, both in the same area.

The train stop was beyond the area which made the walk, yet again on cobble stone streets and stone floors, in one direction and much more comfortable.

The sun was shining oven the forum so walking through the ruins was hot with lots of bloody tourists. Oh! I really mean group tourists. There seem to be extensive maintenance and archeological diggings on the sight. You can sit on marble sections of columns as well as column capitals. Wonderful for a rest and for shooting photographs.





Once off the site we headed for the Colosseo (Colosseum). A one hundred meters walk placed us yet again in a line to buy tickets to enter this arena for battels between gladiators, wild animals and slaves. Unknown to many the floor was made of wood and covered in gravel. Today we can see the spoky subterranean tunnels where animals and combatants cowered prior to their debuts.

An exhibition to the god Eros topped off the day. Another wonderful Italian meal an an early night ended our visit to Roma. Tomorrow we fly back to Kuala Lumpur and then on to Brisbane. Arriving at 10:45 pm Saturday night.
The last quiz for Italian sinage. What does it mean? No it does not mean do not walk.

A Holy Day at The Vatican

And what a day! Our plan for the day was to take it easy and visit the Vatican city. A short train trip from Termini station, very close from the hotel brought us to Ottaviano station behind the Vatican. When we came up from the Metro we could see part of one of the two hugh colonnade that surround Piazza San Pietro. Pope Julius II commissioned Renaissance architects including Bramante, Raphale and Michelangelo to build a new St Peters. As well as simply walking through the overwhelming interior, the highlights included climbing the 550 steps to the dome summit where you get an amazing view of Roma and seeing Michelangelo’s Peita.

After a few hours in the Basilica we walked through the two colonnade that surround Piazza San Pietro. A few more photographs and we then headed off to the Musei Vaticani and the Sistine Chapel. This next experience was all new for me and what a treat. The museum is an incredible collection of antiques, and where wonderment can fast turn to museum-induced irritable exhaustion. Getting to the Sistine Chapel took about an hour but the journey was well worth it. The colours of Michelangelo’s artwork were unexpectedly, extremely vibrant because of the restoration work that was done several years ago. The scale of the work was an overwhelming aspect of the ceiling fresco. Taking photographs was NOT permited.

We also saw works by Raphale, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Signorelli then at about 3:30 we sat down for a rest, pizza and a drink in the museum cafe. Walking all day on cobbled stone streets and stone floors your feet become numb. That was the day for us apart from a light dinner and Italian television.

Another Italian sign to contemplate. What does it mean?

Our Last Day in Torino and on the way to Roma

It was an early start for Dave and myself to get to di Laggotto’s ‘8 Galeria’ where Dave had to catch a “flight”, coach to Milano with AItalia. Dave now gone home to Utrecht, Tim sleep until midday and I did my own thing for the morning. Tim and I then walked to Giorgio’s franchised stationary shop ‘Buffitti’, met his business partner and had a pasta lunch, which is the traditional thing to do. Tim had some shopping to do after siesta time, and because it was Monday most of the museums and galleries were closed.

For our last night Giorgio had booked seats to see the Swingle Singers from England at the Torino Opera House. An unexpected surprise for me was that the interior was designed by the architect and furniture designer Mauro Mazzolini. I had seen a model of the interia in an exhibition last year at the Galleria Art Moderna (GAM) in Torino. The group comprised of four blokes and four women. The first half was classical and the second modern with variations of Beatles songs as well as bb and bb.

Tuesday morning, and a seven hour train trip from Torino to Roma. This was a difficult trip for me because as well as going through Alessandria and Genova the train travelled through the five fishing villages of Cinque Terre and stopped at La Spezia where I was tempted to get off the train and head back to Riomaggiore but I don’t have my Italian passport as yet. Then to Massa past the marble and sandstone quarries where Michelangelo acquired his stone, Pisa, and on to Roma. Two couples from Perth having conversation on the train reminded us of home, even though the Americans were the loudest.



We arrived in Roma excited and rested, settled into the hotel and then walked the streets to find the Pantheon. This building exemplifies the grandeur of the Roman Empire to me. Walking into the space under the dome needs to be experienced to understand it. We sat and had a drink at a cafe in front of the building and watched the locals and tourists walk past. By now it was 7:00, still light so we headed back to the hotel past some of the Roman ruins and via the monument dedicated to Italy’s first king, Vittorio Emanuele II.


Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the hotel gave us a relatively early night.

A Second Family Day in Torino

9:45 was pick up time from the the Albergo Bologna. Two cars in convoy. Giorgio, Claudia, Tim and Dave in the lead car and Eraldo and myself in the second. We didn’t know where we were going and I did mention the Musio dell’ Automobile, however it was closed for two months for renovations. To our surprise we ended up at the the original Fiat factory, now a shopping and cinima complex called 8 Galleria. This is the building with the test track on the roof that was used in the first ‘Italian Job’ movie.

Then in the centre of the roof track is ‘Lo Scrigno’ (jewel box) a small art gallery with works by Canaletto, Matisse, Modigliani, Renior, Manet and Picasso. The roof top gave us clear views of the city as well as the snow covered Alps, especially after a few days of rain. After a shot of coffee we headed off again in the two cars in convoy around the hugh precinct of Mirafiori, Fiat owned car factory that builds Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia. After a stop at an Olympic stadium for ice hockey and the Soccer stadium it was time to meet other members of the family for lunch.

An old house converted into a restaurant and function centre, The Oasis, was the place for the family lunch. Two other large groups were also having lunch. One group celebrating a young girl’s 1st Holy Communion and the other a birthday celebration. Giorgio had arranged a cake and candle, that was impossible to blow out, for Tim. It was his 24th Birthday. Going around the table there was Giorgio, Claudia, Marta, Kristina, Alberto, Valentina, Mauro, Tim, Dave, Eraldo and Nona. Yet another six course Piemonte meal with very drinkable wine, “fizzy” water and coffee. The meal concluded after about three hours then back to the hotel for a rest.

Kristina picked up Tim and Dave at 9:00 pm to go to a fringe concert her boyfriend was playing in. Apparently they had a great time and arrived back at the hotel at about 2:00 am. Dave had to get up at 5:00 am.

Finally ‘home’ in Torino - The Lost Day

A one and half hour train trip at speeds over 200 k/h brought us to Stazione Porta Nova at about 1:30 pm. The rain was disappointing, however the main city section of Torino is covered with connecting porticos in virtually every street. The hotel was across the road from Stazione Porta Nova so settling in was without hassle. A walk along Via Roma up to the Piazza Castello was a good introduction to the Baroque designed city of Torino. The capital of Piedmont, became an architectural masterpiece from 1615 under the direction and control of the Savoy family.

Dave suggested that we explore the area North-West of the city centre at Piazza della Consolata where there are coffee shops, bars and clubs, however it was too early. It all starts at about 10 pm at night. On our way we visited the Church di San Lorenza which houses the Museo della Sindone, the Holy Shroud of Turin.

A wonderful bar/restaurante that Karen and I frequented last year, close to the hotel, is the Roma di Talmone. We ended up there for yet another ‘happy hour’. Great atmosphere, drinks and good wine. This experience led me to an early night while Tim and Dave explored the night life down near the River Po. Dave has been studying the night life aspects of Torino.

Tomorrow we meet the family.

A Family Day in Torino

Eraldo picked us up from the Albergo Bologna at about 12 midday. We went directly to Giorgio and Claudia (Fenoglio) Calabreso’s apartment in San Mauro, Tourinese. Eraldo’s mother was there as was Kristina, Giorgio and Claudio’s daughter, a Primary school teacher. They had prepared a six course lunch with typical Piemonte food. We also had “fizzy” water and local wine. Wonderful company and delicious food. Tim and Dave were a little overwhelmed yet again with the true Italian culture.

After lunch we did some sightseeing and our first stop was the Church of Santo Volto, commissioned by the Archbishop of Turin, His Excellence Cardinal Severino Poletto for the Parish of Santo Volto and built between 2001 and 2006. It was designed by the architect Mario Botta who has examples of work all over the world.


We then walked through the narrow streets North-West of the city noted for good eating and drinking. After a break and a shot of coffee we continued walking endlessly and came upon the Caffe Cioccolateria al Bicerin which was founded in 1763 and has the original wooden panelling, floor, and cast-iron door and window frames. This cafe is in the Piazza della Consolata opposite the church of the same name and is famous for the ‘bicerin’ a hot drink made from coffee, chocolate and topped with milk cream. Molto buon!

After a few local galleries and a look at some Roman ruins under the city we were permitted to rest at the hotel for two hours before being picked up for “Torino by night” at 9:30 pm. It was a cool dry night down by the River Po next to the Piazza Vittorio Veneto where we drank wine and beer and made lots of laughter.

TWO DAYS IN MILANO

Arriving in Milano before midday gave us time to book in to the hotel and go down to the Duomo. Coming up from the metro onto the Piazza del Duomo is a wonderful introductory experience to the city of Milano. The Duomo features cover the period from early renaissance to baroque and neo-classical. It took 500 years to build. Tim and Dave were a little overwhelmed with the experience. We strolled throw the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and had lunch at the Reistorante Galleria. This was the first chance for Tim and Dave to taste “real” coffee. They were amazed at the quality. It helped me to justify why I bought the Seaco.

After lunch I explained that they need to be able to tell Paul C. that they have been to the ‘fashion district’ of Milano which is not too far from the Duomo. In Milano you not only see ‘high’ fashion in the shops, it passes you every second in the streets.

Back to the hotel for a rest to refresh ourselves for the ‘happy hour’ from 6 to 9 pm around the corner in the Corso Buenos Aires. The difference with the ‘happy hour’ is that the drinks are the same price, however you are constantly served finger food. The Italians don’t get drunk and they have dinner before they go home.

We tried to get to bed early for one of the highlights the next day, The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci spent two periods of his life in Milano making and designing things for the Duke of Milano. During the first period he painted The Last Supper in a refectory next to the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie between 1495 and 1498.

Not too far away we visited the Mesuo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnica. Excellent wooden models of Leonardo’s inventions are displayed alongside his drawings. Danny I kept thinking that you would love to see these models as the design and engineering principles are incredible for the time.

A few streets away we went through the Castello Sforzesco originally built in 1368 by Galeazzo II Visconti and transformed in to a palace by Filippa Maria. Then remodelled by Francesco Sforza in the 15thC. with the help of Leonardi di Vinci. Some of Leonardo’s drawings were recently found behind a wood covered wall.

The other highlight for the day was visiting one of Europe’s elite delicatessens, Peck. Established in 1883, it has an incredible range of culinary delights including over 3000 variations of parmesan cheese.

The Italians like good design and they tend to go overboard with signs and logos. Your question for Italy. What do these two signs mean?

Tomorrow we leave for Torino.