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Thanks to EXPO, Milan has had a little makeover. A new part of the canal has opened so we went to have a look one evening. It is lovely! Very new and modern!

Monaco

We spent our last day in Monaco. It is a very interesting place. I definitely couldn't live there. I think it would become a bit oppressive! Unbelievably rich! I have never seen so many expensive cars....and this is coming from someone who doesn't know much about cars! The GP was a week before and they were still taking down all the seating, so it was cool to see and imagine how it must be.

We wandered up to the palace which was beautiful. Everything in Monaco was so smart and fancy!

GP seating still in view

We finished the day by going to see the casino then in contrast, the Japanese gardens. The casino building itself was incredible. The cars outside, oh my word! We went into the foyer which resembled more of a royal foyer than one of a casino. It was so impressive! The Japanese gardens...well, pretty, yes, tiny, also yes. I would definitely recommend a day in Monaco but we both left feeling happy after a great day, yet also confused after being in such a crazy, wealthy place. It just didn't feel real somehow, kind of like Dubai.

Hello fast car! 

The famous casino

Japanese gardens

Harbour

South of France: Cannes

We took the train to Cannes for the day from Nice. It is such a pretty and glamorous city! We walked up to the castle and enjoyed just wandering about. The weather was absolutely perfect. So many beautiful things to see, so many pain au chocolat to eat...

The castle

France is so charming in its own way. I had forgotten how much so. It was such a pretty town. We continued with our cheeese diet...oh my word, love it!

South of France: Nice

It has been literally years since I've been to France. Italy was blessed with a two extra day long weekend so Shona and I decided to go to France by train and have a few days relaxing and exploring. We stayed in Nice in a very sweet apartment....so much so that the temptation to stay on the balcony drinking French wine and eating French cheese was rather hard to resist!

The city itself was lovely. Really easy to get around, compact and a great promenade for running. Such a pretty little place!

Beach Life

I am very happy in Italy. A lot has to do with the food, weather (now it is summer I have completely forgotten how horrible and cold winter was!) and some really great people.

April was a lovely warm month so Damjan and I made the most of a rare weekend day off to head to Liguria, a state famous for being where people go to retire, and its focaccia. It was just a couple of hours drive away and lovely to get out of the city and relax.

The focaccia was incredible...and worth the drive alone! The beach...I think I have been really spoilt by beaches on the Indian ocean...but it was pretty and we had such a good, peaceful day together sleeping and sunbathing on the sand!

Italy with Mum: Como!

Como is one of my favourite places. It is so easy to get to and great for hiking browsing, relaxing....and the town itself is so pretty. The weather was a lil chilly and cloudy which was a pity but it was lovely for Mum to see a new Italian town. We went up the funicular first so had great views of the lake and town below.

View from the Funicular

Como cuteness

We enjoyed a lovely lunch, wandered around the town and market and met a friend of mine for an afternoon coffee and tiramisu. Perfect afternoon!

 

Italy with Mum: Venice!

It was really lovely to have a few days with Mum and a great excuse to eat ice cream and other delicacies as well as to revisit a few places.  I'd not been to Venice for nearly 8 years and although I found it beautiful previously, the crowds were so annoying that I was quite happy to leave. However, Mum coming to visit prompted me to return and we had such a fantastic day. The weather was so warm and sunny, the tourists were not yet out in force, and the city was charming and lovely. We had a very happy day together. It was great to have a wander about, shop, browse, get lost and enjoy pizza in a piazza!



Proof that the lady was here!