Italy here we come

After some surfing the net without success for a holiday package, it's a do it ourselves, with lovely Marco's help! Master plan would be to fly to Milan from Edinburgh on 4th Sept and then use rail passes - yes Frank does qualify for over 60's as well as his local bus pass, travel in Lombardy & Tuscany, returning to Milan for the flight back on 16th the day before I'm 34 years old (again)!Got the flight booked - good old Easyjet - I know another hole and lousy summer weather but I'll fret about that after the holiday! Last time we used Easyjet I had my nice looking clinical walking stick and we received priority access to the plane - although couldn't sit beside the escape route as I was not "able-bodied"! Wonder if I should get the stick back just for the travel perks - see how easy it is to fall into the "disablist" mode?
So back to the master plan - Milan - Verona - Padua - Venice (probably a day visit will do as I suspect we will need that Lottery win to stay longer) - Bologna - Florence and then return to Milan. Not sure if our pals Walter & Marco will be around in Milan when we are there - would be great if they are able to be there!
So expect all the news of the annual escape especially if I am tempted to follow Peter's example!
WONDERFUL NEWS TODAY (15/08/07)
Walter and Marco will be in Milan, we suspect because we are landing there for our Grand (Wh)tour! Marco has put together a travel plan which would make Judith Chalmers envious! Start from Edinburgh to Milan and spend a night and day in that window shopping city! Travel to Verona - such a romantic place and pity Willy Shakespeare never did visit here or even Italy, writing from others views of the city! Staying in Verona for 4 days but going to visit Desenzano Sul Garda and Sirmione. Wandering feet again and off to the train station to speed off to Mantova (I think this is Sergio's hometown- last heard he was living/working in Cambridge), then back to Verona. Padua next stop and using here as a base for the Venice treat - but Padua is brilliant for 3 days! After all that culture off to Florence, and my last visit many years ago this was my favourite place to just watch the world go by and turn the corners to bump into lovely pieces of artwork! Then we return to Milan to catch the Navigli & Senigallia Street Fair! Wow what an experience! The back home to Kirkcaldy!

SUNDAY 2nd Sept -

So we are nearly off on the tour - how fortunate we are and lucky to have such wonderful friends. Yes a bit more up from where I was last week but still rather hurting from being taken fore-granted, what ever the excuses!
We are going to Edinburgh Airport on Tuesday, and returning on 16th via the local bus service! The flight times are good and Frank has his bus pass anyway! Just a couple of years to go before I get mine! Going to spend the day preparing for the escape! Had intended to get the grass cut but with the obliging Autumnal weather here that cannot be done - it's drizzle and cold! Just checked the weather for Italy - sunny and warm for our stay! Bon voyage!