Trip Report: Tuscany to Bavaria with the flimsiest Disney related excuse ever

[areweindisneyyet]

OK, totally off topic trip report with the smallest link possible to Disney but thought you might enjoy a nice quick trip report.

Cast of Characters:
DH (40th Birthday on trip)
Me (38, trip half work half play)

Itinerary
10 Nov: Fly Brisbane - Hong Kong - London - Pisa
11 Nov - 17 Nov: Tuscany
18 Nov: Train Pisa - Lugano
19 Nov: Train Lugano - Lucerne
20 Nov: Lucerne
21 Nov: Train Lucerne - Munich
22 Nov: Munich
23 Nov: Munich - London - Singapore - Brisbane

Despite being together for 18 years this is the first overseas trip we have had where we have traveled the whole way together. I have flown separately to meet up with him or we have had our beautiful girls in tow. The whole time we were away we felt very empty handed. One suitcase and a small carry on bag each. Very very strange. Uploading photos as we go.

Next post: The flight and transiting at Hong Kong and Heathrow Terminal 5.

 

[PrincessInOz]

 

[areweindisneyyet]

OK, so this trip we used frequent flyer points so we kinda of had to travel the long way. Especially the way over. We dont really like flying Qantas from Brisbane to Singapore so we decided to fly through Hong Kong instead.

Now this trip was in danger of not happening due to a knee injury that I have. Before I hurt my knee I had even planned on leaving a day before DH and checking out Hong Kong Disney. The bad knee definitely ended that little fantasy.

So after a pretty good flight with nice food and service to Hong Kong we arrived in a little after 6pm. We had a 5 and half hour stopover here. We passed through transit security very easily and decided it was time to check out the food court.

We decided on Chinese, DH picked out a Beef and Black Bean and me the Singapore Noodles. It was yum. The two meals and a drink each was $195HKD. DH nearly choked when I told him but after a quick currency conversion $30 wasn't too bad.

Beef and Black Bean

Singapore Noodles

During dinner I mentioned to DH that there was a Disney store here somewhere to which I received my usual

Whilst he waited patiently outside I wandered through hoping to find the first of many guilt presents for the girls and I couldn't believe it. FAILED. They either had it, had outgrown it, or it felt wrong to buy a TShirt with Hong Kong Disneyland when we did not really go. DH looked something like this

He is not funny.

We decided to get a coffee so went in search of Starbucks. My spirits lifted when I discovered they were making gingerbread lattes. Decided to find somewhere to sit. We found some seats near the window to watch the night go by, when I looked up and saw the travellers nirvana.

With two vacant right opposite each other, that was us done. Coffee, kindles and free WIFI. What more could one want. So shoes off and a good relax. DH had a couple of short kips and I just loved having my leg elevated for a few hours. When we sat we didnt have a gate number and thankfully these seats were not too far away from our gate so we stayed here until 10 minutes before boarding. We walked straight up joined the line and hopped on the plane Nice.

We slept most of the way to London landing at 5am. Again we had a 5 and half hour stopover. This was our choice, rather than driving three and half hours from Rome we decided to wait in London a little longer and only drive an hour from Pisa to the farm we stay at in Tuscany. We landed in and flew out of Terminal 5. First we grabbed coffee, went shopping Harrods, Boots, Accessorize where I did find some guilt presents. Had a lovely breakfast of porridge, fruit and smoothies before grabbing another coffee and our kindles to fill the last hour.

Our 2 hour flight to Pisa passed quickly with a short nap from both of us. Customs at Pisa was swift and we picked up our hire car. There had been lots of rain in the area and flooding so we hoped that all the roads to the farm were open. Thankfully they were.

We were greeted like old friends on our arrival at 4.30pm. Coffee and biscuits were served and we were taken back to our favourite apartment and this spread was waiting for us.

We had a nibble before heading for a shower and bed. The leftovers came in very handy when we were awake at 4am after a 10 hour sleep. An epic 43 hours of traveling from doorstep to doorstep, much quicker flights going home. And we are here, back in Italy.

 

[PrincessInOz]

That spread is amazing.

Despite the fact that I'm sitting here with a bowl of noodles for lunch, I'm now lusting after a nice piece of cold meat.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

So after a very early morning, we waited for the sun to rise to be greeted with this wonderful view. It truly is a little piece of heaven on earth. We headed to the farmhouse for a second breakfast after we had nibbled on our dinner left overs. We had always planned on staying fairly close to home today, but with more rainy weather and fog we decided to stay even closer.

From the farmhouse we can see lots of little villages so we did a circuit of these before ending up in Volterra for the afternoon. We enjoyed walking through the stores of alabaster. The creations that can be made from lamps to 3D chess boards is amazing.

We found a beautiful little family ristorante for lunch we we shared some wine. I had a pumpkin risotto and DH had a carbonara. I was full but DH had room for Tiramisu. We waited for the shops to reopen at 3.30 and we got some bits and pieces for the apartment. We were tiring so headed back to the farm and were in bed by 6.30pm. We are so out there. Tomorrow Lucca.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

That spread is amazing.

Despite the fact that I'm sitting here with a bowl of noodles for lunch, I'm now lusting after a nice piece of cold meat.

All made at the farm from their own produce. The run pigeon and boar. So good. There is a big slow food movement in the region. In summer they have vegie patches where you can pick your own salad vegies. Just yum

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Now this was a work trip, so off to Lucca this morning for a meeting with a supplier and also a return of the sun. Lucca is just over an hours drive from the farm and it is one of my favourite Tuscan towns. The town is surrounded by an intact wall and I love the openness of the town as you walk through.

My supplier gave us a sample of a few of his walking tours which was great. Lots of great little stories of the town, great coffee, sweet treats and wine tasting. I had picked Lucca for this day out as we had been before on our own and loved the town but I wanted to see the town from a tour point of view. It was really worth it and we really don't do tour very well. The company offers private tours of 3 hours duration. The company also does port tours for cruises and would highly recommend.

After parting ways at 1pm we headed for lunch. A quick shop when the shops reopened and then we headed for home. DH crashed very quickly and I made it to 7pm. The sun was not rising until just after 7pm and it was dark by 5pm.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Again we awoke to a beautiful day.

We were heading east today to Siena before finishing in Cortona (Under a Tuscan Sun) to meet with another supplier and visit rental villas, cooking and language schools.

We drove just inside the town walls in Siena to park before heading to Il Campo for breakfast. We had beautiful toasted tomato and mozzarella panini's. Just yum.

Siena skyline

Il Campo

It was lovely to sit and ponder the Palio race around this piazza. We had beaten the tour groups and as we finished the first group arrived. We headed up into the back streets, where I found a beautiful Christmas shop. DH waited outside and had a long protest march go straight past him as I shopped. We then headed up towards the Duomo.

Siena Duomo

DH noticed fudge in the window and sent me into buy it. I walked up to where he had started taking photos for him to tell me I bought the wrong one. So back I went. Mind you the one I picked first was the nicest.

We then headed onto Cortona, the setting of Under a Tuscan Sun. The town just sits on the hill and can be seen from miles away. Just beautiful. We drove to Montepulciano where New Moon was actually filmed for lunch. It is reknown for its wines. We then headed back to Cortona to meet with my supplier where we would spend the night. We had a wonderful afternoon visiting some of the most amazing villas that can be rented and visiting a local language and cooking school. We enjoyed a beautiful family dinner before hitting the sack at 11pm. (Out there). We woke at 7am before having breakfast and visiting some more properties. At 1pm we headed back to the farm. We were going to stop for lunch then we had the great idea of having lunch at the farm. So we drove, and drove hoping we would not be too late.

Cortona

View from Cortona

Thankfully we made it in time. I had their homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli with truffles and nuts. DH had a porcini mushroom tagliatelle. When then shared a beef warm salad with pecorino. This time I hit the tiramisu. The farm has a restaurant that does breakfast and lunch daily and dinner usually once a week. They let us know dinner would be on Saturday night as a farewell for us. Way excited.

By this stage it was around 4.30pm and we had a big day out planned tomorrow to Cinque Terre so we headed back for an early night of around 7pm.

 

[PrincessInOz]

When I decide to head to Europe in a couple of years, I'm going to come knocking on your door for the contact details of that farmhouse.

The views are spectacular!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

This is our third trip to Italy, and I was not leaving without seeing the five lands or Cinque Terre. So we drove for just over 2 hours to Levanto which is the town to the north of top town Monterosso and parked at the train station. On the way we had driven past Pisa and Carrara where they get all the marble. There were giant slabs on the side of the road. We purchased our 1 day pass which provides access to shuttles, trains, walking tracks and museums. We were visiting in the off season and many of the walking tracks are still closed due to severe flooding last year. My aim was to fit in three of the five towns.

So we took a train right to the bottom town of Riomaggiore. It was hilly and lovely. Walked up the main street and visited the post office. Went past the church up to the lookout. We headed down towards the start of the Lovers Walk to Manarola the next town a long. I would have loved to have done this but it was still closed. If it was open, I would have done it despite my knee. Kind of a bucket list thing, at least it wasnt me that stopped me.

We headed back to the train station to take the train instead to Manarola. I loved Manarola. We wandered the streets and shops before stopping for lunch at the waterfront. We watched the locals use a pulley system to lower their boats down into the water for an afternoon of fishing. So peaceful and lovely. We had a great lunch. DH had the crab pasta and I had ravioli in a walnut sauce. Just devine. It was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours.

Boat being lowered into the water whilst at lunch

Wine

Crab Pasta

Walnut Ravioli

Manarola

Next stop Monterosso the top town. We skipped Corniglia and Vernazza. Spent some time walking along the beach at Monterosso. It had great parks for kids and was very flat at the waterfront unlike Riomaggiore and Manarola. Would love to spend a day or two here next time.

Monterosso Beach

We caught a train back to Levanto for the drive back to the farm. Our week in Tuscany is passing by fast. Tomorrow is our last day before heading north to Switzerland and Germany.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

So we saved the best for last. San Gimignano, referred to as the Medieval Manhatten, it once had 72 towers with families building them taller and taller to show they were wealthier and more powerful. It had been our list for the first day but decided not the best in the weather. So off we drove the 25 minutes for breakfast. Enjoying some delish pastries we watched the world go by. My mission was to buy me a wallet but ended up with a handbag for DD1 and nada for me. Too picky and my leg was pretty sore from our Cinque Terre day. Went and found our favourite little lookout, and our harp player was playing in the background. Just perfect.

We popped back to Volterra for a light lunch and to grab some last minute bits and pieces before heading back to pack. We had dinner at 8pm which would go late and we had an early start.

For dinner we started with antipasto, I then had my favourite ravioli and truffle and nut sauce. Oh I miss you. DH had porcini soup.

I skipped main knowing I was going for dessert, DH wanted fried rabbit but they had run out at lunch, so he had pigeon instead which he loved. I picked at his fried vegetables. More tiramisu for dessert followed by grappa and coffee. A beautiful evening, one to be remembered.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Wow I love your photos it looks amazing.

 

[Andona]

Loving your TR!! My DD raved about both Lucca and Siena, it's great to see your photos

Sorry to hijack your TR but do you mind if I ask you a question?

We're currently considering Italy as a possibility for our next trip ( or Canada - still to decide..) and I was wondering if you'd give me an honest opinion of what it's like driving over there?

DH is a keen and confident driver and with me navigating, has dealt comfortably with driving in and out of cities like Manhattan, Washington DC, Berlin, Paris and Munich etc. He loves driving the freeways in LA and had a ball on the autobahns BUT I have just heard so many horror stories of driving in Italy that I'm doubtful of attempting it. Everyone says you're much better off using the trains but I know DH would be happier if we had a car for at least some of the trip.

We would want to go into Rome and Florence and Venice ( we haven't been to Italy yet and want to see the major sites ) I was thinking maybe using the train from Rome to Florence and then after a few days in Florence, collecting a car to drive around Tuscany and on to Venice where we'd leave the car at the airport. Do you think that sounds reasonable - I REALLY don't want to have a car in Rome would prefer not to have one sitting in a hotel garage in the other cities.

Just interested to know your thoughts

Andona

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Absolutely stunning scenery. I cannot wait to visit Italy, fingers crossed for 2014. Sorry to hear your knee was causing you problems but it doesn't sound like it slowed you down much.

My mouth watered at every food item you mentioned lol.

What a lovely TR.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Loving your TR!! My DD raved about both Lucca and Siena, it's great to see your photos

Sorry to hijack your TR but do you mind if I ask you a question?

We're currently considering Italy as a possibility for our next trip ( or Canada - still to decide..) and I was wondering if you'd give me an honest opinion of what it's like driving over there?

DH is a keen and confident driver and with me navigating, has dealt comfortably with driving in and out of cities like Manhattan, Washington DC, Berlin, Paris and Munich etc. He loves driving the freeways in LA and had a ball on the autobahns BUT I have just heard so many horror stories of driving in Italy that I'm doubtful of attempting it. Everyone says you're much better off using the trains but I know DH would be happier if we had a car for at least some of the trip.

We would want to go into Rome and Florence and Venice ( we haven't been to Italy yet and want to see the major sites ) I was thinking maybe using the train from Rome to Florence and then after a few days in Florence, collecting a car to drive around Tuscany and on to Venice where we'd leave the car at the airport. Do you think that sounds reasonable - I REALLY don't want to have a car in Rome would prefer not to have one sitting in a hotel garage in the other cities.

Just interested to know your thoughts

Andona

Not a problem Andona

Last time we arrived in Rome and spent five days. We then collected a car from the airport and use the ring road to head north to the farm. We drove around the countryside and left the car in Pisa. We then caught a train to Florence and then a train from Florence to Venice.

This time we flew into Pisa, collected the car there and returned there.

To me the trains are the best way between the big cities. They leave you right in the centre and it is either an easy walk or cheap cab fare to your accommodation and both of you get to enjoy the countryside. Between your little Tuscan towns it gets a little harder. DH is a confident driver having spent time overseas for long durations driving on the opposite side of the road. We always get a GPS. I remind him to keep me on the outside and him in the middle.

The roads in Tuscany are very narrow, there is no shoulder and very few places to pull over. Never had trouble finding places or parking though. There is no attention paid to speed limit, and they will overtake in places that make you cringe. If you can ignore what is happening behind you, and just concentrate on you it is OK. Last time we had the car for four days with kids in tow which DH coped with, by the end of this week he was over it. I think we were also more adjusted body clock wise last time. Lucca you can get to by train from Pisa and Florence but Siena and San Gimingnano are much easier with a car.

Would we do it again, yep, but perhaps not as long. It is also so scenic DH feels like he misses out a bit. It really is the best way to immerse yourself in the area. I would say train Rome to Florence - train to Lucca - car in Pisa and drop back in Florence at the airport and then train to Venice or drive up to Venice.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Absolutely stunning scenery. I cannot wait to visit Italy, fingers crossed for 2014. Sorry to hear your knee was causing you problems but it doesn't sound like it slowed you down much.

My mouth watered at every food item you mentioned lol.

What a lovely TR.

The food is just yum....

My knee would have bothered me whether I was there or at home. Must make a call this week to head back to the surgeon. I couldn't have done WDW like this and I hate all the pills I am having to take. The fact that I am taking any is saying something. Hoping to get back into the water this week to see if it helps some. Trying to avoid surgery. Had a couple of dips while we were away which seemed to help.

I am hoping to go back on a work trip in the near future but realistically we wont be returning to Italy for a while. Shed, DD1 School France Trip, Pool, East Coast USA (WDW and Cruise), DD2 School France Trip, Scandanavia/Iceland, England/Ireland/Scotland/Wales Distillery Tour and Canada/Alaska first.

Always planning, Always planning

 

[Andona]

Thank you! It's good to hear first hand experiences.

Also love your long term plans! We have a similar long list... DH has three more massive USA road trips all mapped out and wants to go to South Africa. We both want to return to the UK to see the parts we still haven't seen and I have dreams of Italy, Canada and Egypt. So many places...so little money

Andona

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[alicia1506]

wow. loving this tr!! so much gorgeous scenery

 

[Travel Mum]

Really loving your TR and thanks so much for sharing!!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Not a problem Andona

Last time we arrived in Rome and spent five days. We then collected a car from the airport and use the ring road to head north to the farm. We drove around the countryside and left the car in Pisa. We then caught a train to Florence and then a train from Florence to Venice.

This time we flew into Pisa, collected the car there and returned there.

To me the trains are the best way between the big cities. They leave you right in the centre and it is either an easy walk or cheap cab fare to your accommodation and both of you get to enjoy the countryside. Between your little Tuscan towns it gets a little harder. DH is a confident driver having spent time overseas for long durations driving on the opposite side of the road. We always get a GPS. I remind him to keep me on the outside and him in the middle.

The roads in Tuscany are very narrow, there is no shoulder and very few places to pull over. Never had trouble finding places or parking though. There is no attention paid to speed limit, and they will overtake in places that make you cringe. If you can ignore what is happening behind you, and just concentrate on you it is OK. Last time we had the car for four days with kids in tow which DH coped with, by the end of this week he was over it. I think we were also more adjusted body clock wise last time. Lucca you can get to by train from Pisa and Florence but Siena and San Gimingnano are much easier with a car.

Would we do it again, yep, but perhaps not as long. It is also so scenic DH feels like he misses out a bit. It really is the best way to immerse yourself in the area. I would say train Rome to Florence - train to Lucca - car in Pisa and drop back in Florence at the airport and then train to Venice or drive up to Venice.

This is very good information for me AWIDY, I am already "planning" April 2014 that includes Italy and like Andona, we are thinking Venice, Rome and Florence would be our "must hit" highlights. I was wanting to train it between cities because we just would not be confident to drive and it is very heartening to hear that you often recommend trains for many destinations in Italy. It worries me about our luggage getting stolen , I worry about everything but other than that I'm sure it's a quick and economical and stress free way to get around.

The food is just yum....

My knee would have bothered me whether I was there or at home. Must make a call this week to head back to the surgeon. I couldn't have done WDW like this and I hate all the pills I am having to take. The fact that I am taking any is saying something. Hoping to get back into the water this week to see if it helps some. Trying to avoid surgery. Had a couple of dips while we were away which seemed to help.

I am hoping to go back on a work trip in the near future but realistically we wont be returning to Italy for a while. Shed, DD1 School France Trip, Pool, East Coast USA (WDW and Cruise), DD2 School France Trip, Scandanavia/Iceland, England/Ireland/Scotland/Wales Distillery Tour and Canada/Alaska first.

Always planning, Always planning

I'm really sorry your knee is becoming an issue, hopefully you can get it sorted without surgery. Swimming sounds good.

Your travel list is as long as ours but something tells me you have already experienced quite a bit of the world. Would love to see a list of places visited one day.

My husband and I would adore to do an Alaskan cruise, will likely wait until the kidlets are off our hands for that one.