Well we got back from Italy on Monday and what can I say it was amazing! We certainly did a lot but it was an amazing 16 days. I'll try and keep the blog as brief as possible - but try will be the operative word in that sentence. And before I begin on the holiday, the week beforehand was amazing too! Had London pride which was incredible, so much fun but really that would be a whole other blog in itself, so what can I say it was amazing!

Now to the holiday -

Rome: We set off at about 5am for London Gatwick (mum has an obsession with early flights when going somewhere) so we got to the airport fine and soon enough landed in Rome airport. To get from there to the hotel you have to get a train which we thought would be fine, so you stand on the platform as this massive great thing of a train pulls in and this was when we quickly discovered there is no queuing system in Italy, it's literally every man for themselves, which when you have a 27kg suitcase, 3 steep steps (whoever put steps on Italian trains should be shot) and 20 people ramming up behind you makes for an interesting embarking to the train! And at this point I'm now going to confirm that the blog is going to be far from short - sorry! Having got on the train and squeezed our bags on it set off, Rome was very hot, and this train didn't have any air conditioning or any windows that opened, as soon as we arrived at the station in Rome it was a scramble for fresh and cool air.

Once we got to the station we had a short walk to our hotel which we managed to find without too much difficulty. As you go through the main doors and around to the left you see this wooden lift infront of you that looks like it belongs in the prop room of some horror movie, there was only just enough room for the two of us and our bags in it. You press the button you want and with a jerk this lift rockets off to your floor and lands with as much grace as a hippo trying ballet. But our room was nice and we were both glad to see a shower. Mum had the first one and seemed to find the temperature dial difficult by the screams and yelps coming from behind the door - then all of a sudden there was a knock on the door so I opened it and the receptionist was there saying that someone had pulled the disabled cord in the bathroom. Mum thinking that it was the heater had pulled it - oops!

That evening we walked down to the Colosseum, not to go in but just to prove to ourselves that we were actually in Rome.

The next day we set off for the Vatican. When you get there you have to queue up to go through a metal detector and x-ray machine, a lot like at an airport, so once you've queued up for about 40 minutes to get through that mum only then got told that she wasn't covering her shoulders and we'd have to leave again! So we went and found mum a scarf from a local shop, had some lunch and got back into the queue again. You pass quite a lot of the swiss guard in their very strange regalia of red, yellow and orange stripes adorned with massive berets. We started off with the Basilica, as you go in and look up the entrance ceiling is caked in gold, then once through the double doors into the main cathedral all you can see is marble and mosaics. It's stunning but in a sickening way, there is just so much wealth in this one place it's hard to imagine. All the paintings on the wall, or at least that's what they first look like turn out to be mosaics done with minute pieces.

From here we then went onto climb the dome, the climb is bizarre as you climb around the outside of the dome and upwards the walls are at an angle, which if you're of a shorter stature isn't too bad, for those of us above 5 foot 4 though struggle in the fact that we have to walk with half our bodies inclined at an unnatural angle. However the view from the top over Rome is just stunning and well worth the walk (even if just to get the refreshing breeze). From there we had a snooze and went and saw the Trevi Fountain which is tucked away and amazing when you stumble upon it.

The next day we went along to go round the Colosseum, the queue was phenomenal and went on and on, as we were making our way to the back however there was someone advertising an English tour to both the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill which would skip all the queues and was only a little bit more so mum and I went for it, which I think really was a good idea. The tour guides for each place were both very good and very funny and allowed you to understand a lot more what actually happened in each of the places and how, because unlike most museums and things there were no signs about telling you what anything was so without a guide the Palatine hill is just a load of ruined bricks... We then went and had a look at the Parthenon which is good to go and see.

That evening we met the rest of the group which was nice, our tour leader Chontelle, then the others - Caroline, Ilona, Alex, Ben, Aaron, Emma, Vanessa, Adam, and Rina. We then all went out for dinner and certain personalities in the group started to become clear on the first night.

The day after was pretty much a free day so mum and I went to the Spanish Steps which were very disappointing. Then from there off to the Vatican again this time to look at the museum, although really the Sistine Chapel. The only thing about the museums are that to get to the chapel you have to go through absolutely every single room to get to it, which after a while gets very monotonous, and there are only so many painted rooms that you can view, no matter how amazing they are before they lose their charm. So by the time you get herded into the chapel and look up you've seen so many of the painted rooms before that you can't appreciate it.

Florence: That afternoon it was off to Florence which was a lot quainter than Rome. Whilst Rome has all the sites as an actual city it isn't amazingly nice, whereas Florence is just lovely, very sweet town with lovely buildings. We went out for dinner that evening and had the speciality of the region which were these massive steaks that you ordered by the 100g and had to share between two, but was very very nice! The view from the top of the hotel was magnificent overlooking the Dome.

The next day we had our orientation walk around Florence, starting off at the cathedral then down past where the statue of David used to stand, and over the Ponte Vecchio bridge. That evening we went back over the bridge and up to Plaza Michelangelo to watch the sunset which was spectacular.

The next morning we climbed up to the top of the Dome and got the amazing views from there!

Lucca: We arrived in the evening to this wonderful walled city, and got the taxi with the bags to our apartments. We shared with Alex and Caroline and after a little difficulty with the doors we found our way in. Whilst the apartments were wonderful they overheated quickly and ours seemed to be mosquito infested, in the space of two nights we counted over 70 bites on mum! We went out for what I thought was the best meal at a restaurant where all the staff were disabled in some way so was good to give something back to them.

The next day was the bike ride, we all got something for the picnic, our thing was wine from the region. Then off we went, once around the city walls (you could cycle on top) and off out into the country where we had an armed policeman take our photo for us (very surreal) then had our picnic which was fantastic! On our way back we stopped by a river where some of the others went for a dip fully clothed, can only think of the chaffing afterwards, mmm comfortable!

Pisa:  The day after we went to Pisa for a half day from Lucca, it's amazingly touristy with all the people doing the stereotypical poses for photos of holding the tower up. We went and booked our slot for climbing and then for the two hour wait went and sat in the shade having drinks which was nice. Climbing the leaning tower itself is a most bizarre sensation as depending how far round you are you're either walking at a tilt backwards, forwards, left or right which is odd trying to adjust your balance. The views from the top though were again stunning.

Cinque Terre -  Levanto: Next stop was the beach, which was very weird. After having done so many days of intense sightseeing to suddenly get to a beach seemed most bizarre really. Granted it was also raining when we got there!

Mum decided not to come with the rest of us the following day so had a nice lie in whilst the rest of us were out the door at 6:45am!! We went to the train station and got the train to further down the coast where we'd begin our walk. The first part of the walk was fine, nice proper path, light drizzle. We got to the end of the first part and were met with 392 steps! Oh joys! But we all got to the top okay if a little desperate for breakfast, unfortunately the only place that was open was one that sold coffee only, so alright for the coffee drinkers, the rest of us went on hungry. Eventually we arrived at this bar on the route and we all traipsed in, saw the sight of food and were quickly gorging ourselves on lemon pie, a healthy breakfast! The next part got a bit steeper and the path a lot narrower as well as the sun starting to raise its head up above the clouds. So we arrived in Vernazza about 12 o'clock and went and had a swim in the sea which was nice and warm and nice to refresh ourselves in. Soon enough we were heading onto the next section - and sodding hell was it warm and all uphill. Caroline and I went up ahead and every time we turned a corner and saw endless steps above us with the sun beating down there were a few expletives cried out. As we slowly and eventually made our way down I think we were both relieved and when we rounded a corner and saw the town ahead of us were very happy and had a well earned coke whilst waiting for the others.

Got back that evening quite exhausted but no rest for the wicked, quick jump in the shower, and then off to a Pesto Class. Deary me we must all have wreaked of garlic after that class. It was great fun, loads of freshly made pesto as we all tried everyone else's and there were 12 of us! Don't think any of us wanted any more pesto for a long while...

Portofino: The following day we get the train again and store our bags at the station and then go on a walk round the coast to Portofino which was a great little walk, where we passed a Redbull Cola car and each got a free Cola - if it comes to the UK, don't try it! Portofino itself is very nice and quaint, we didn't get too much time to have a look around but was a nice place to stop for a day.

Asti: Following Portofino we got back on the train to Asti which was a lovely little town. That evening a few of us wanted to go out for dinner and went to the most amazing restaurant. I had spiced rabbit for a starter, duck for a main, tried a bit of horse, and for pudding a lovely chocolate thing. Probably one of the best meals by far on the trip!

The next day the rest of the group were going wine tasting, and considering I don't drink I didn't want to sit there like a lemon so decided to have a day on my own around Asti. The lady at the hotel was amazingly helpful and gave me a map and highlighted a route for me to take around the town. So off I set and went and had a look at the different towers and the cathedral which in a place so small seemed so out of place but was stunning nonetheless.

Milan: None of us were very impressed with Milan and were glad to only be there for half a day. Going up onto the roof of the cathedral was fantastic though, all of the masonry was spectacular, so many statues all over the place and the views from the top were good. The inside of the cathedral was very dark and dreary though. Milan if you like expensive shopping though is a fantastic place to go with a massive Rinascente, Prada, Ferrari etc.

Italian Lakes: My favourite place, if not on the trip then possibly everywhere I've ever been. We got off the train and jumped on this bus. Now the driver I'm hoping does that route an awful lot because the speed he goes round corners was horrifying, much better to keep your eyes stuck to the view outside the sides rather than straight ahead.

Our hotel room had a view right over the lakes, so that lying in bed you could look down over your feet into the lakes and mountains beyond. I can't possibly describe in words how stunning the lakes are. If you find mountains stunning, and lakes stunning then combine the two together and it's just amazing. The mountains come directly out of the lakes so there isn't even a seem between the two.

The next day we had a ferry pass and went to three other villages dotted around the sides of Lake Como, and walked back from the nearest one. Whilst visiting one of the villages we went on a bit of a trek up this hill to a castle that overlooked the lakes with 360 degree views. Then in the evening we jumped back on the ferry and over the village opposite to grab a bite to eat and then the ferry back again. Really was such an amazing place.

Venice: You'll be glad to know this is the last stop! We got on the train again and had to change at Milan, which although there was a delay wasn't too bad really. We arrived in Venice and as soon as you get out of the station you are on the side of the Grand Canal, there is certainly no mistaking the fact that you're in Venice. This was probably the warmest day we'd had which is saying something! That evening we went on a gondola ride which was great, you can't really appreciate on foot quite how beautiful and extensive the canal system is because you don't see too much of it. So the gondola ride was fantastic and good fun.

After that we went to the main Plaza, which is covered in pigeons, with people feeding them and the pigeons jumping all over their arms and hair, really not my bag. On the way back we passed a massive outdoor bingo, it looked like the whole of Venice had descended upon this tiny little square.

The next day was a free day and mum and I were going to go to the dome but kind of got distracted by the tonnes of shops along the way so by the time we got there the queue was far too long to bother with. In the evening we went out for a group meal which was awful but after that was drinks which was hilarious. We went to an Irish pub (last night in Italy and we go to an Irish pub haha!) and this round of shots was ordered, mum decided to do one too, so here they all are with a shot of jagermister and a glass of redbull. So they all drop the jagermister into the redbull and down it in one go. Got a hilarious video of mum doing it and collapsing on Ben afterwards. Was a really great night although sorry to say goodbye to everyone especially Ilona and Caroline who'd made the holiday fantastic.

The final day mum and I went up the bell tower in the middle of Venice to get our final look and then headed off to the airport for our flight home.

All the best photos are on facebook if you want to have a look...