TravelStream™ news feed for member blorton on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/blorton en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 13 May 2008 22:26:32 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123209900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123209900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123209900/tpod.html Tue, 13 May 2008 22:26:32 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Vatican City, Italy

Day 14, August 4

After a lousy nights sleep with continual interruptions from the bar in the street below our window, we were up surprisingly early. We decided to return the car early to avoid the Roman rush hour so we set out at 7:30 to head to Stazione Termini to the Avis garage. Navigating was easier, but still difficult with one way streets. We found the garage, made it to the 7th floor and emptied the car of all our odds and ends. We were back to the hotel in time for our 9:30 breakfast on the terrace. We then packed up and returned to Hotel Santa Maria.

At noon we took a taxi to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum, seeing how we had missed it the first time around. We spent several hours exploring the incredible collections of art, and being blown away by the decor of each of the display halls and rooms. The paintings are on both the walls and ceilings and become overwhelming.

The Sistine Chapel is at the very end of the "tour" of the museum, it is the only room that you cannot take photos, although I did manage to capture a very bumping video before being caught. It was an incredible sight! So many little panels to look at, you could spend all day examining each one, and all night at the chiropractor with a sore neck. (forgot to bring the mirror)

From the Vatican we took another cab to Piazza Venezia, to go to the Time Elevator, a 45 minute, four-dimensional multimedia experience covering the 3000 years of Roman history. Sitting in seats that move with the action and watching 3 screens, it began with a time machine transporting you to the time of the legend of the creation of Rome and ended with spectacular photos of present day. It helped to solidify all that we had seen and experienced while in Rome.

Afterwards we returned to the hotel for a short rest, discovered we had left some things at the villa and Nona had returned them to our hotel for us. We were back to our restaurant for our final dinner. The piazza was much quieter, no live music, but Marco tried to make our night enjoyable; having our wine ready, extras during dinner, dessert on him, and ...having the musician in residence serenade us with a song he adapted to include Canada. After several songs, and way to much bad breath being directed at us, we paid him to go away.

While sitting at our table, the owner of the villa came by, and stopped to say hello before heading home next door. She continued to wave from her second storey window before closing the shutters for the night. It was hard to say goodbye to Rome as we both felt we were just starting to settle in and make some friends. We returned to Hotel Santa Maria for our last night.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123123440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123123440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123123440/tpod.html Tue, 13 May 2008 22:25:31 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Rome, Italy

Day 13, August 3

After checking out of our hotel, we walked through St. Mark's Square in a light rain (the first and only during our trip) one last time with all our luggage in tow. Instead of waiting for a vaporetto, we chose to spend the money on a water taxi instead. Arriving back at Piazzale Roma we walked to our garage, paid for the three days (26 euros per day) of parking and started back on our drive to Rome.

Arriving back in Rome was confusing, the ring road has many ways in, but it is difficult to determine which one we needed. After getting incredibly lost, we finally found our way into the heart of Ancient Rome where we could use landmarks to navigate back to Piazza Santa Maria and our hotel.

However, unbeknownst to us, the roads leading into the piazza in the evening become pedestrian only, although if you know the way it can be done. Have a look at the map and see if you can find a way into the piazza. After calling the hotel for directions, we were informed that there had been a mistake and they did not have a room for us for that evening, but had booked us a room in a nearby villa. Following the directions given, we followed the one way road adjacent to the river to get into Trastevere. We could recognize exactly where we were, and where we needed to go, but the roads were either closed to traffic, or one way in the wrong direction. Calling the hotel again, we were given further driving directions, followed them and ended up back where we started. Now too far beyond the roads we needed, we had to cross the river, and double back for another try.

The second time around we were stopped by a local policeman, who in trying to explain how we could get to where we wanted, said "no car, two foots". Upon hearing that, we drove to a piazza nearby, abandoned the car, and dragged our luggage to Hotel Santa Maria, stopping on the way in the piazza to book a table at our restaurant. The receptionist then walked us down the road to the villa she had booked for us.

The Villa della Fonte is a 17th century palace built on roman ruins, a few yards away from the piazza. With a roof top terrace over looking both the alley leading to Hotel Santa Maria, and our favourite restaurant, we settled in immediately.
We spent the evening at the restaurant, chatting with Marco and getting to know him better. After exchanging email addresses, we said good night and returned to the villa.

The villa, with it's proximity to the piazza, was a bit noisy, so we spent time on the roof watching the festivities for a while before going to bed. www.villafonte.com
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122950400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122950400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122950400/tpod.html Tue, 13 May 2008 22:24:03 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Venice, Italy

Day 11, August 1

The city of Venice is incredible! So much to see, little ornate details everywhere in the architecture, postcard photos at every turn.

We explored the piazza and all of its shops and restaurants and sat down for breakfast at one of them. With a small orchestra playing music (5 euro charge per person for the pleasure) we had the most expensive quiches and coffees going. The meal cost 50 euros, but the ambience was worth every cent!

We wandered the streets and back alleys around San Marco and did some shopping for the beautiful Murano glass local to the area. Then decided to take a break and go for a gondola ride through the canals. I know, it's the touristy thing to do, but is a spectacular way to spend time and great for photos.

After a brief rest back at our hotel, and a quick email check, we set out for drinks at the famous Harry's Bar. Noted for it's famous clients (Aga Khan, Orson Welles, Ernest Hemingway and Truman Capote) we drank in the atmosphere and several Bellinis before heading out again. We stopped next door to make reservations for tomorrows dinner at the Grand Canal Hotel Restaraunt.

Dinner was at La Caravella, delicious meal in a beautiful courtyard, with great service to boot.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122777300/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122777300/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122777300/tpod.html Tue, 13 May 2008 22:22:26 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Maiori, Italy

Day 9, July 30

After arriving back in Napoli at 6:30 a.m., we found the traffic to be much lighter, and found our way back to the Autostrade to drive back to Maoiri. We spent the day at the beach, taking a much needed rest, and relaxed in the water and collected beach stones.

We had an afternoon nap, and then set out to drive the coastal road to finally see the towns of Amalfi and Positano. The road is filled with even more curves as it winds its way through Amalfi, and then becomes one way as you work your way up and down through the town of Positano. This is by far the most picturesque town, filled with expensive boutiques and cute houses, and is truly a town of a thousand postcards. Built right on the cliff, it is split in two by another cliff around a hairpin turn.

Navigating the car through the narrow streets lined with restaurant tables on either side, strolling tourists, and many speeding vespas was fine during daylight, but as the sun was setting, the fog began to roll in, and driving became more white knuckled with every turn. Even the experienced cyclists were having difficulty--we watched one poor fellow get his foot caught in his wheel, and do a rather graceful tumble directly in front of our car. It was at that point we headed back for dinner in Maiori.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122431040/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122431040/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122431040/tpod.html Tue, 13 May 2008 22:21:37 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Maiori, Italy

Day 5, July 26

Up and out to get the car from the parking garage and start our southerly trip to the Amalfi Coast. After getting on the wrong road way above the coast road, we over shot the area and had to turn back from Salerno. Found the A3 and then the proper coast road heading west.

It is one of the most breathtaking coastlines in Europe, the Amalfi Coast stretches 50kms east from Sorrento to Salerno. A narrow asphalt ribbon, itself a feat of road-building as spectacular as the views, winds along cliffs that drop to crystal-clear blue waters and passes through a series of beautiful towns. The coastal road is magnificent, a white knuckle ride at first until we learned to navigate using the mirrors provided at every hair-pin turn. It is two lanes, not divided, and surprisingly everyone drives it at times up to 70km, passing street side restaurants, vespas weaving in and out of traffic, cars passing into oncoming lane and pedestrians who walk side by side in the streets.

After winding our way through and past the towns of Vietri sul Mare, and Cetara we settled ourselves in a hotel at the eastern end of town with direct beach access. At the time we had no idea which town we were in, but quickly discovered we were in Maiori. The hotel Sole Splendid is a beautiful structure five storeys high with each room having a private terrace. We chose a room overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and beach.

After a quick lunch in the restaurant across the road overlooking the beach, we spent the afternoon in the surf and sun, taking a much needed break. In the evening, we wandered the streets of the town as it winds its way up the cliff, exploring the little alleys that lead off the main streets, window shopping along the way. After inquiring in one shop, we were directed to a lovely secluded restaurant with a small courtyard full of tables. Had another incredible meal and local wine, this time we gave the local pizzas a try. Way too big to finish, but absolutely delicious--certainly not Pizza Pizza!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122344400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122344400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122344400/tpod.html Tue, 13 May 2008 22:20:42 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Napoli, Italy

Day 4, July 25

After breakfast in our room we set off to StazioneTermini (the train station) to pick up our rental car. We were given a Smart For Four, a four door Smart car, with automatic transmission. I figured Italy was not the place for me to perfect my skills at driving a standard transmission.

Driving in Rome was very confusing, without knowing landmarks or main intersections, navigating was difficult. With all the one way streets, underground streets, and round abouts it was very easy to get lost. We eventually found our way to Vatican City.

After parking the car, we walked into Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter's Square). Built in the 17th century, the immense square is bounded by two semicircular colonnades, each of which is made up of four rows of Doric columns. In the centre of the piazza is an obelisk brought to Rome by Caligula from Heliopolis in ancient Egypt. The square leads you to Basilica di San Pietro. The church is immense,the biggest in the world and built beginning in 1506. Bramante, Raphael, Antonio de Sangallo, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta and Carlo Maderno all contributed, but it was Michelangelo who took over the project in 1547 at the age of 72 who was responsible for the design of the dome.

The interior can hold 60,000 people and contains incredible art treasures. The baldacchino (canopy) designed by Bernini, stands 29m high in the centre of the church and is an extraordinary work of art made from bronze taken from the Pantheon. The high alter, which only the Pope can use, stands over the site of St. Peter's grave.

After wandering through the church for well over an hour, we proceeded down to the Sacre Grotte Vaticane (Vatican Grottoes), below the church. The tombs of numerous popes line the walls. Some very ornate, others very understated. Stopped at the tomb of Pope John Paul II for a few moments to take photos before climbing back up to the church steps for a rest and the long walk around the Vatican to the entrance to the Sistine Chapel. Upon arriving at the entrance we discovered that it closes early on Thursday and we had missed the last entry by 7 minutes. Decided then that we would return to Rome early to revisit it before returning our car at the end of our trip.

We walked back to the parking garage to get our car and set out for the Napoli area. After negotiating the streets of Rome, we found our way to the Autostrade. Highway driving was much easier, better signs for navigating and is two or three lanes each direction and is divided. Average speed in the slow lane is 130km and in the passing lane cars speed by at 160km or more. We suddenly came to a dead stop, and remained stuck in traffic for an hour and a half due to a massive accident way up the road. While waiting, we watched the locals get out of their cars, go for walks, chat with others, etc.

As it was getting late, and dark, we decided to stop in Salerno for the night. Salerno is one of southern Italy's many victims of earth tremors and landslides, it was also left in tatters by the heavy fighting that followed the 1943 landings of the American 5th Army. It has a charming medieval quarter and a pleasant seafront promenade.

After a quick inquiry at one hotel that was fully booked , I was directed up the pedestrian road to another several hotels and found us a room for the night at Albergo Italia. Surprised at how cheap this three star hotel was at only 70 Euros, we dropped our bags and found a local restaurant and enjoyed a great meal of fresh seafood and local wine. Early night, to bed at 1 a.m.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122084960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122084960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122084960/tpod.html Tue, 13 May 2008 22:18:49 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Rome, Italy

Day 2, July 23

We were up early for breakfast at the hotel, great selection of breads, cheese, meats, scrambled eggs, etc. and fresh cappuccino. Eating it in the relaxed atmosphere of the enclosed courtyard garden under the orange trees. We packed up to move to our next hotel also in the same area.

Travestere House is a quaint little building in the heart of the old Roman quarter within walking distance of Piazza Santa Maria. The room was small but quaint with the toilet on one side of the window and the shower on the other.

After getting settled, we set out to tour the Colosseum interior at 1 p.m. The interior is divided into three parts; the arena, cavea and podium. The arena originally had a wooden floor, which was covered in sand to prevent the combatants from slipping and to soak up the blood spilled. Trapdoors led down to the underground chambers and passageways beneath, which are visible today. The cavea (seating for spectators) is divided into three tiers. Knights sat in the lowest tier, wealthy citizens in the middle and the populace in the highest tier. The podium, a terrace in front of the tiers of seats was reserved for emperors, senators, and other VIPs. The interior damage is evident everywhere, after several earthquakes, the use of the building as a quarry for travertine and marble and the vibrations caused by traffic and the underground railway has all taken their toll.

After our tour of the Colosseum, we crossed the road to the Metro station to meet up with another tour group to visit the Catacombs of San Callisto. The catacombs are a series of underground corridors used as burial grounds down to a depth of 20 meters. There are 20 kilometers of tunnels to explore, with a guide only for obvious reasons. Our guide ( a priest, with a crusty attitude outside and a heart of gold inside) took us down to the second level. Instantly there was a marked difference in temperature. The tunnels and walls are carved into the soft tufa rock (volcanic) and once exposed to air, harden. All the corridors are lined with carved rectangular niches of varying sizes into which the corpse would be placed and sealed by either marble or terracotta slabs. The San Callisto catacombs contain the tomb of the martyred Santa Cecilia, and seven popes martyred in the 3rd century. At the end of our tour the priest prayed a beautiful prayer for all of us. It was very touching and non denominational in nature. Unfortunately we were not allowed to photograph the catacombs.

After leaving the catacombs, our tour guide (Brandon from Florida) took us on a walking tour of Rome, through the Jewish ghetto and ending at Largo Argentino.
The ghetto was established in the 16th century when Pope Paul IV ordered the confinement of Jewish people into this area, marking the beginning of a time of intolerance that continued well into the 19th century. The walk in this area took us by artisan workshops, framers, and bookshops, the ruins of the Chiesa di Sant'Angelo in Pescheria, a medieval fish market, a 19th century synagogue and the Jewish museum, reminding us what it might have once looked like. The tour ended at Largo Argentino and archaeological zone with ruins simply labelled A,B,C,D. It is below present day grade, and is home to numerous cats, all abandoned by owners when they go on holiday.

After a quick snack in the streets near our hotel (roast pork sandwich which was delicious), and a short rest, we set out for Piazza Santa Maria for the evening. Another fabulous meal and live music, we closed this restaurant as well, and moved along another alley to a wine bar, for snacks of cheese and meats and great local and very expensive wine. To bed at 2:30 a.m.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122171480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122171480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1122171480/tpod.html Sun, 21 Aug 2005 15:48:01 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Rome, Italy

Day 3, July 24

After having breakfast served in our room, we walked over to the Piazza to attend the service in the Basillica. Spent time sitting in a cafe' and back for an afternoon rest.

At 3 pm we set out across the city to visit the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Concezione: the Crypt of the Capuchin Friars. This macabre church comprises of five chapels whose walls are decorated with skeletons, the mortal remains of some 4000 Capucin friars who died between 1528 and 1870. Each room has walls decorated in intricate scrolling designs using combinations of bones, some containing entire clothed skeletons. Even the lighting fixtures and chandeliers are created using human remains. It was both beautiful and grotesque at the same time. Once again, photos were not allowed.

Dinner was back at Piazza Santa Maria in our favourite Restaraunte Galeassi with our favourite waiter Marcolino. http://www.ristorantegaleassi.it/inglese.htm
While sitting and enjoying yet another live concert (music festival happening all over Rome during July) we were pleasantly interrupted by a long procession of priests, nuns, monks and locals parading to the Basilica carrying the statue of Santa Maria. There was a short service inside, bells tolling to announce her return, culminating in an explosion of fireworks above our heads. Once again we closed the restaurant and found our way back to Trastervere House for the night.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1124070600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1124070600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1124070600/tpod.html Sun, 21 Aug 2005 15:35:17 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Day 1, July 21-22/05

We were scheduled to leave Toronto at 4:30 p.m. but the flight was delayed until 7:30 p.m. Stop over at Pescara, Italy on the Adriatic Coast was 1.5 hours, finally arrived in Rome at 1:30 p.m. local time. Car service picked us up at the airport to take us to Trastevere, to the Hotel Santa Maria. www.htlsantamaria.com

The hotel is a 17th century cloister and has 19 rooms all built around a delightful courtyard garden just around the corner from Piazza Santa Maria. It's a beautiful, quiet haven enclosed behind a protective fence in the heart of the labyrinthine lanes. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
After a brief rest in our beautiful room, we set about exploring the neighbourhood.

The piazza is a true Roman Square--by day it's full of mothers with prams, chatting locals and wandering tourists, by night there are artisans selling their craftwork, young Romans looking for a good time and the odd homeless person looking for a hand out and a bed. It has a beautiful large fountain in the centre and is lined with shops and restaurants on three sides.

This square was for all of the history of Trastervere district its real centre and remains that way today. The fountain has stood since the middle of the 15th century and was reconstructed by C. Fontana in 1692 and again restored in the 19th century.

The piazza stands on the place where the three most important roads of Trastevere cross: via della Lungaretta (16th century), via della Scala (16th century) and via di S. Francesco a Ripa (17th century).

The best time of day to visit this square is the evening and night time, when the soft lights of the street lamps create the atmosphere of past centuries and cover the damage brought to this piece of history by time and people.

One of the beautiful buildings lining the square is on the site of Palazzo di S. Callisto. This palace was erected for the cardinals responsible for the life of the Basilica. The present palace was built in 1613 in the times of Paul V in compensation for the expropriation of their Benedictian monastery by the Pope for the construction of his Palazzo Pontificio del Quirinale.


At the fourth end is the magnificent Basilica di Santa Maria, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. First built in AD337, the present structure was built in the 12th century and contains a Romanesque bell tower and facade, with a mosaic of the Virgin from the 12 century. Inside there are 22 ancient Roman Columns and a 17th century wooden ceiling. The mosaics in the apse date from 1140. The interior is breath taking, and the little rooms off the main contain beautiful works of art.

This church occupies the 5th place in the hierarchy of Roman churches after St. Peter's, St. Paul's, St. John's and Santa Maria Maggiore for its ancient origins as well as for being the first dedicated to Madonna. It is the first among so called "minor basilicas" and it was the church which more often substituted far away basilica of St. Paul in the obligatory visits of pilgrims in the years of calamity and pestilence.

According to a tradition the church was founded by Pope Callistus I in 217-222 and was finished by Julius 1 in 352. In the 9th century Gregory IV conducted some works here to deposit the bodies of saints brought from the catacombs in danger to be damaged by Saracens. But radical and decisive was the total reconstruction of the church in the 12th century begun by Innocent II and completed by Eugenius III, who also built the bell-tower in 1145-1153.
The other works were executed in 1584 by Cardinal Marco Sitico Altemps, while in 1617 the ceiling was created.

In 1702, C. Fontana created the portico. The facade is decorated with mosaics of the 13th century. The portico with the five entrances is crowned by a balustrade of statues. The interior is a basilica plan with three naves divided by two rows of 22 granite columns. The ceiling was designed by Domenichino in 1617.

After exploring the neighbourhood, we walked toward the river crossing over the Ponte Garibaldi. Stopping to take photos of Isola Tiberina the island in the middle of the river, we continued to walk along the river heading toward Circus Maximus and the Colosseum.

We made a brief stop at Chiesa Di S. Maria in Cosmedin taking a moment to look at the portico containing the "Bocca della Verita" the Mouth of Truth. After picking up a snack at a nearby truck, we sat on the steps watching the comings and goings of tourists. The snack by the way was a slice of pizza (avoid truck pizza at all costs!) but it filled the hole in our empty stomachs.

I was disappointed that very little of the original structure of Circus Maximus exists today, but the nearby ruins of the Palatine were interesting. We walked along the tree lined Via di San GregorioVII toward the Colosseum, taking in the spectacular views of the ruins of the Palatine on the way. The Palatine was the mythical founding place of Rome where wealthy Romans built their homes during the era of the Republic. It later became the realm of the emperors. We approached the Arco di Constantino, the arch built to honour Constantine following his victory over Maxentius at the battle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312.

I was overwhelmed by my first sighting of the Colosseum, the three levels of arches, which are articulated by columns topped by capitals of the Ionic (bottom level), Doric and Corinthian (at the top) was an architectural marvel. I could only imagine what it must have originally looked like originally covered in travertine and accentuated with marble statues. It was easy to imagine what the area might have been like in AD 80, except for the vast number of tourists wandering from one souvenir booth to the next, and the noise of the traffic nearby.

We spent a couple of hours people watching and waited for the sun to begin to set, before grabbing a taxi back to Trastevere to go for dinner. Spent the evening in the Piazza at a wonderful restaurant, Ristorante Galeassi, (fenced in area in photo of piazza) sitting outside listening to the live concert, watching the comings and goings of the people and enjoying fabulous food and way too much wine. We enjoyed the after dinner drinks, and the after after dinner drinks while sitting at our little table. After closing the restaurant, we wandered up the alley to a little bar and had a few more drinks before turning in for the night.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123296420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123296420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/blorton/italy-2005/1123296420/tpod.html Wed, 17 Aug 2005 12:58:56 -0400 Whirlwind tour of Italy

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada

We were sad to say goodbye to this wonderful place and all the friends we had made, but it was time to get back to reality.

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 12:30 p.m., we had a car arranged to pick us up at Hotel Santa Maria at 9:30 to get us to the airport. Upon arrival, we discovered that the flight was SURPRISE, delayed until 2 p.m. so we had time to kill.

After a surprisingly good meal at the airport, and some last minute souvenir shopping, we were off!

We arrived into Toronto at around 6p.m to hot, humid weather...
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