guten tag!
we touched down in berlin last night - after a fantastic few days on the cinque terre and bergamo. we ended up doing the cinque terre walk on a beautiful sunny day, including a ferry ride from the western most point to the east. the walk itself isnt too challenging, but there are some steep parts! fantastic views and highly recommended experience overall though. we also had a great meal or two at a place in vernazza - Gianni´s- right on the main piazza with great views of the natural harbour. a little more expensive than our usual budget but well worth it.
We hit Genova for a day trip from vernazza - ended up shopping for most of the day, with a little sightseeing. we splashed out a bit with some new clothes for both of us, and at lunch overdosed on the local specialty - pesto - we are officially pesto-ed out as of now.
bergamo is also a well recommended town which we happened upon following a disasterous experience with an irate hotelier in Milan when we rejected the room he offered as it was too dirty and had hairs in the bed! all for 75 euro too. the cheek of it all.
so we hightailed it to Bergamo, a town about 50 mins away via train, and stayed in an award winning youth hostel for 18 euro pp - breakfast included! we met a really nice french guy at the hostel who was riding around europe, and ended up hanging out for dinner and some sightseeing the following day. Bergamo itself is literally split into two parts- the old medieval part on the hill - Citta Alta, and the sprawling modern mass below - Citta Bassa. Have to say though that it was one of the cleanest places by far that we have been, and the old town is absolutely beautiful.
we hitched a flight out of italy last night at 21.00 to arrive one hour and forty mins later in Berlin - quite crazy to think of how close everything is here. first impressions echo the stereotype of Germany- very ordered efficient and clean - at least the public transport is! we are staying at a massive youth hostel in mitte (the centre) in an apartment on the 5th floor and can see views of the east berlin tv tower from our place. the quality of this place is brilliant - 77 euro a night and the room is immaculate, and could be fully self sufficient with a fully kitted out kitchen.
the plans so far are to hire a bike today and explore tiergarten, friedrichstrasse, and some other parts of town. seems to be flat so not a hassle. we are set to spend time exploring the jewish history and stasi or GDR cold war stuff too. we have just bought tix to see the fussball on Saturday which should also be amazing. we are thinking 5 nights is not enough in berlin already and will have to journey back soon! have to say that it is somewhat of a relief to get into a big city again - away from the judgemental old eyes in italy that seem to follow us whenever we have a backpack on.
will post more shorty, with photos hopefully. hope all is well!!
love em and sim. xx
nhulunbuy beach
so where the hell are we?
5 comments:
Hi Simone,
So good to hear from you! You seem to be doing well with accommodation. How disgusting re the bed growing hairs! I am at Lucy's/Nonni's at the moment. Nonni is staying up at Ann's at the moment so Lucy in on her own. We have come down to have some dinner with her for her birthday. Anyway, showed her your entries and photos - Lucy said to send her love to you and to tell you she is very jealous! All is well back here at home. Love you lots MUM xxx
Hi Mum.
we are doing well with our accomodation - especially here i think. please say happy birthday to lucy for us! we wil have to get her something cool from italia.
we are planning to head out on a self planned bike tour today- well, this afternoon at least.
had a welcome change from italian food with a fantastic morrocan meal last night in mitte, berlin.
will write again soon.
love, simone xxx
You lucky, lucky people! Oh Berlin, what a place. I definitely recommend going on one of the historical walking tours if you have time. They absolutely bring the history alive. On our tour, they took us to stand on the ground underneath which Hitler's bunker still lies. Amazing. This is not signposted and would be impossible to navigate your own way to (given the german people's reluctance to broadcast this aspect of their history). It's funny that you're in Berlin right now, because on the weekend, I read an article in the paper that PERFECTLY describes how I feel about Berlin. I will cut it out and send it to you and see if you feel the same. Don't forget to check out some live music - nothing funnier than gruffly sung german. I can't wait to hear/see all about it when you get home. I'm loving this blog - thanks for keeping us updated.
We went to melbourne this weekend for a holiday (rather than a family visit). It was excellent. We stayed at a beautiful hotel in the city and ate at some really nice restaurants. But the best bit for me was going to the Australian Impressionism exhibition. Absolutely stunning artworks.
Tschuss,
xox Lau
Hi Simone and Emma
So pleased to hear about your exciting trip. I would like to be travelling with you too. Have you visited the italian relations yet? I haven't got my computer going so I had to wait until I popped into Mum's so that I could access your site. Looking forward to seeing all your photos. Have you prayed for me at the Vatican as I asked you to before you left. Love Nanny xx
Hey guys
Sounds like you're having a great time... apart from the pubes in the bed... we're very very jealous... not about the pubey bed... about you're adventures... anyway I think you know what I'm saying :)
Hey, guess what... I got a new job (I = Tan), I start on 7th of May, only 3 more days at yucky yucky MYOB :) YAY.
Well, keep the updates coming... we love to hear your stories!
Cheers
TAN & RACH
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