Italy

We have enjoyed our 10 day trip around Italy. We started with Venice and the novelty of catching boats along the Grand Canal instead of buses. We saw glass ornaments being made in Murano and Caitlin was given a couple of offcuts as souvenirs.

Staying in Florence for a couple of days, we explored the town and climbed the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo, and then the next day the 400 steps to the top of the campanile in Sienna. We didn't climb the leaning tower in Pisa, but did enjoy contemplating its unlikely angle.

In Rome we saw the coloseum and learnt a little more about ancient Roman life. We also spent some hours walking around the old forum and the ruins on the Palantine hill but we couldn't stomach the queue for St Peters. Despite it being October the crowds were very much in evidence around the city, especially at delightful bottle-necks like the Trevi fountain.

Our last stop in Italy was a few nights in Sorrento on the bay of Naples. As well as allowing us to explore the nearby ruins of Pompeii, we were able to take boat trips and white-knuckle bus rides along the Amalfi coast, and to tour the tiny, pretty and impossibly expensive island of Capri. 
By a stroke of luck our visit coincided with the grape festival in the village of Priora just above Sorrento. As well as local wine and food to sample, and live music, Caitlin was able to have a go at treading the grapes to press them - which she enjoyed so much we had to go back the next night.

An overnight train gave us the slightly disconcerting experience of leaving chaotic Naples and waking in the Alpine beauty and tidiness of the far north of Italy.

Will post some pics when able - we're currently enjoying the mountain air in Garmisch Partenkirchen (thanks to Stewart & Jenny for the recommendation).