Tours

Waited to our allotted time to go up (6:30pm). No one on the Reserved Ticket queue, but we still weren't allowed on early. Did Veronica have to point out that the lift curved up the leg? Up we go. Scared little white guy. Tony no get out! Veronica got out at Level 3. I went down. Supposed to meet at point X. I was siting at point Y. Veronica not happy.

Jas de Bouffan Paul Cezanne house tour. 2 of us, then another 3 late. Excellent to get perspective of where paintings done. Helpful lady pointed us to house. (I had it right anyway)

Walking tour at 10am. About 16 in group. 6 x aussies, Canadian, brazil, yanks. Very interesting and worthwhile to understand history of Aix. It makes sense now. Le ours Mirabeau, La Fontaine des neuf Canons, Place des Quartre Dauphins (Four Dolphins),  La Place de la Mairie (Town Hall), La Cathedrale St Sauveur, including triptych that took 7 years to restore.,

Lazed around at unit till time to walk to Paul Cezanne's studio. :atelier' (room) very interesting to see context of works. Nice garden. Walked up a bit of the hill to see if we could see mountain (like Cezanne). Vo's bum problem need bathing.

To Accademia Gallery only 500m away. Got there before opening but queues long. Waiting in queue with Australians. Offered 'tour' once, then second time accepted. Got in by 10:00am and had great guide. Worked up to going into the hallway to see statue of David at end of hall. Absolutely breathtaking. Fantastic perspective to be learning about it all with the statue in the background. Well worth it.

Veronica booked a Best of Tuscany Tour for Monday. I looked at doing a day trip on some trains, with no real plan in mind.

Veronica's day trip included morning in Sienna, lunch at the wine estate Poggio Alloro, San Gimignano, Chianti countryside drive, and Pisa.

From brochure, got tickets for Masterpieces of the Vatican and St Peters tour from the Art Viva office. Great idea to buy now.

Saw flyer about Choral Caleidoscope (Evansville Indiana USA Diocesan Tour Choir) in Chiesa di Sant Agnese in Agone (St Agenes Church) in Piazza Navonne at 7:30pm. Waited around. At 7:00pm the church closed, and everyone had to get out. So we had to go, including old man we helped out. In going back in, we saved the guy a seat. Church was packed and very nice event. Another great experience. Another famous church.

Took boat ride on Tiber. Good in theory but embankments are 40 feet high on the sides so couldn't see a thing. Never get that 30E back. Nice history lesson though. Something to avoid next time.

Meeting point was outside Vatican Café. Once we had found it - about 1km from St Peters Square - waited for group and leader. Got ice-cream from the Cafe. Served by an Ethiopian girl who had tried to get to Australia. Leader was late due to protest as well. Chris the guide excellent. Whole tour was brilliant. Included Michelangelo's Dome, Different perspective and context than just walking through. Sistine Chapel was special.

Took boat ride on Tiber. Good in theory but embankments are 40 feet high on the sides so couldn't see a thing. Never get that 30E back. Nice history lesson though. Something to avoid next time.