High

No I'm not in Amsterdam yet.....

A new addition to the list "ride the highest swing ride in the world in the oldest amusement park in the world". Wurstelprater in Vienna.

I saw it as I approached the park and with my increasing fear of heights over the last few years thought I must do it. I warmed up on a roller coaster then headed over to the swing.

As I approached my brain screamed "walk away" but my legs walked up to the ticket booth. I stood in line and made the mistake of looking up - yikes!! I managed to hold my ground in the queue until my turn (though i thought of handing my ticket to someone and walking away) then took a seat. Luckily a teenage girl sat next to me so my ego pledged not to scream.

It was a beautiful day and from the top (120 metres) I could see the whole of Vienna, mainly because I was too frozen to look straight down. The girl and I looked at each other with horror on our faces then burst out laughing, we would survive!

Prague

I'm not sure I can convey how amazing this place is, my favourite city in Europe so far. Its Beautiful, Clean and Cheap. A stunning mix of Gothic AND Bohemian - architecture and people. Angels, demons and all sorts of gargoyles look down from building facades. Lots of busking, live music and beer drinking. And the girls.......…

Venice

"Ahhhhh, Venice" - Indiana Jones.

It wasn't on the original LIFE LIST but I went out of my way to make sure I saw it while in Italy and what a Wow factor.
I thought all the architecture was in Rome but I was wrong.

There was a drizzle most of the first day. I walked for hours to get lost in the maze of alleyways and canals while the locals started setting up the elevated walking platforms as the water began to breach in some parts.

The second day the weather cleared and I spent another day just wandering and discovering all kinds of weird and wonderful squares, deadends, sculptures and ancient buildings. It is a unique and wonderful atmosphere. Like all cities it has its own smell, quite pungent at times and bells ringing across the sky all day and night.

Also my chance to seek out the library (San Barnaba Church)from Indiana Jones and the last crusade.

Eat Pizza in Italy and see the Vatican

Firstly as I was forewarned the pizza is bland compared to pizza at home, don't get me wrong it tastes great but is mostly just dough with tomato and cheese and eaten with a knife and fork. However the ravioli, risotto and pasta are fantastico!

The Vatican and its museum are undoubtedly impressive but..........without going into a rant I will just say its like the person in the pub who talks very loudly about how rich and wonderful they are and then sneaks out when it's their turn to buy a round. Sickening.

By far my favourite building in Rome is the Monumento Vittorio. Completed in 1935 this war memorial is much younger than most other buildings in Rome but just dazzled me, monolithic in white marble with those giant flying horse statues on the top.

The Colosseum and the Pantheon.....what can one say? At around 2000 years old they were astounding to see first hand and walk through.