[EUROBOUT CONTINENTAL CAROUSEL - 1984] DAY 13

Travel Notes

August 23, 1984 - Day 23

ITALY

Rome - Florence

Aloura, another long drive up the autostrada! We stopped at the same PAVESI we used on our way down from Vienna - it was built on both sides of the freeway, with a bridgeway between the two units.

While there, we restocked on munchies and soft drinks.  Sometimes I share the drinks with Bart and Earl using "thistle" glasses,  which are liqueur-sized tulip glasses that look absolutely charming.

Florence - Motel Agip

Pulled into Florence at around 1400H.  Earl proposed group shot at Michelangelo Square, but the group scattered for souvenir shopping and picture-taking before he could get official photographer!

I now could see the value of early morning walks in Rome with Grandfather Basil.  The bus couldn't enter Florence proper (left it by the river) and we had to hike to Piazza Santa Croce.  On those picture-pretty cobblestones that are murder on shoes.  The first stop : a mosaic workshop.  The pieces are lovely, but are big and weigh a lot!

Next was a leather shop where we scored two evening bags, one belt for Dad, and an all-around bag for Ma.  This meant that at the gold shop all we could do was window shop, and ditto at the jewelry shop where there were lovely accessories at lovelier prices!  Francy modelled a lovely leather trench coat that she said was for her boyfriend, which statement drew a lot of ooohs from the men.

On Piazza Santa Croce, where Michelangelo is buried in the Cathedral. We  hiked again to Piazza San Giovanni to see the Duomo, and then more shopping! Ma and I went off for gelato. then  found a place near the Square to sit watch the people - very Italian, si!

The group re-assembled at 1700H - this time we almost left Gremy, which seemed to surprise no one at all.  Grandmother Rita and I led the vanguard to the bus when it was time to get moving.  Halfway there my knees were screaming for mercy, but I doggedly kept walking.  I managed to collapse only when inside the bus, with apologies to Grandfather for not rising to pipe him aboard properly.

The hotel turned out to be half an hour from Firenze.  It's modern and up-to-date!