On our way to the airport, we decided to visit shortly the famous Monza F1-circuit since it was almost on the way and it was supposed to be easy to get there. After spending one hour of searching for it, we did not, however, have the time to actually go in to the Monza park where the circuit is located. Although some guidebooks tell that it is really easy to find, I have to disagree and claim that signposts are not consistent enough to show you the way to the circuit if you only have a limited time frame like we did.
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23/03/2011
20/03/2011
Inter - the European champions in selling tickets; NOT
Today we started once again early to get back to Italy to catch our football games. The plan was to go over the mountains but around 2000 m of altitude our rental Lancia proved to be too poorly equipped for icy roads. So we actually got stuck. After a while of NASA-level reasoning we managed to turn our car around and return back to KG for regular autostrada travelling to Milan.
There was a serious accident on the highway and as we got to Giuseppe Meazza it was about 45 minutes to kick off. This proved to be at least 45 min too late as the Inter ticket sales happened to be absolutely SHIT. Since their internet ticket sales was the same, I have to say that as one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Inter lives in the stone age of ticket selling. Some organised system and additional resources at the stadium would be essential to be able to serve the audience (who are paying the ridiculous wages of the players). So, the result was that after 90 minutes of fighting in the queue we got 3 tickets to catch the end of the first half. And to complete our initial feeling about Italian organising capabilities, we learned that the Juventus game we were supposed go and watch was played at the same time with ongoing Inter-game as we had information that implied Juventus game would have started only 2045hrs in the evening. So the main day of our trip did not quite match up with our plans. Well, now we are heading for Turin for some dinner and relaxing since there is no more pressure with the schedule.
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There was a serious accident on the highway and as we got to Giuseppe Meazza it was about 45 minutes to kick off. This proved to be at least 45 min too late as the Inter ticket sales happened to be absolutely SHIT. Since their internet ticket sales was the same, I have to say that as one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Inter lives in the stone age of ticket selling. Some organised system and additional resources at the stadium would be essential to be able to serve the audience (who are paying the ridiculous wages of the players). So, the result was that after 90 minutes of fighting in the queue we got 3 tickets to catch the end of the first half. And to complete our initial feeling about Italian organising capabilities, we learned that the Juventus game we were supposed go and watch was played at the same time with ongoing Inter-game as we had information that implied Juventus game would have started only 2045hrs in the evening. So the main day of our trip did not quite match up with our plans. Well, now we are heading for Turin for some dinner and relaxing since there is no more pressure with the schedule.
19/03/2011
From Italy to Slovenia and back
We were following the Planica ski jumping competition yesterday which was Austrian show as expected. Matti Hautamäki from Finland played a small supporting role but was left to 4th place.
After the jumps we had a nice evening at Kranjska (We are staying in Livada guesthouse, which seems to be quite ok.) After the competition there was an overwhelming need for a transportation back to KG so we decided to get cheated by a Ljubljana taxi driver who was more than happy to separate us from unhealthy amount of money for 5 km ride. On the way to our hotel we made a pit stop at Papa Joe's where my friend offered some traditional finnish music (Popeda, Erotomania) for the Europeans to enjoy. And needless to say, it was a huge hit. Then a quick change at the hotel before joining the national team of our jumpers at a local pizzeria. Somehow our sportmen did not respond to my friends inquiries and comments about their performance and future ambitions but were kind enough to leave immediately and leave the table for us. Following morning we headed to Ljubljana for Olympia football game. On the way we made two stops. One at the beautiful Bohinj lake and another in Bled (Grill restaurant - very good Cevapcici) for lunch.
Later we saw the game in Ljubljana but I have to say that the level of the play was little bit of a disappointment. Then we had dinner in Ljubljana - thanks to Sini - before heading back for KG for an early start back to Italy tomorrow.
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Later we saw the game in Ljubljana but I have to say that the level of the play was little bit of a disappointment. Then we had dinner in Ljubljana - thanks to Sini - before heading back for KG for an early start back to Italy tomorrow.
18/03/2011
Milan/Venice
We started bright and early in Milan and enjoyed some breakfast at the Duomo watching a small parade for Italian unification (150 years celebration).
Then we visited San Siro museum (which in my opinion is not a must) and took the tour at the stadium. We also made a short visit to A.C. Milan training centre Milanello where we witnessed what it is to be be a world class star and have your every move watched. On the way to Venice we made also a short lunch stop at the beautifull and crowded Lake Garda (More specifically in Sirmione). After that we headed for Venice where we arrived later in the evening. We parked at Plaza del Roma and took the water bus to San Marcos where we first had couple of Bellinis at Harry's bar. Then we quickly checked out the Bridge of Sighs which was under construction and framed with something ugly. Later that night we enjoyed an excellent dinner at Osteria Doge Morosini (San Marco 2958-2967) before heading back to our hotel Citta de Milano for some sleep.
Next morning I got up early and made early morning run at the waterside. After breakfast we had a little walkabout before turning our car towards Slovenia, Kranjska Gora and FIS Ski jumping world cup finals. Venice somehow had a little bit of a same wibe as Zansibar with narrow alleys, rich history and overpriced services. Venice is a treat for history and antiques enthusiasts but for more active sort of a traveller like myself more than two days in a place like this would be too much.
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Then we visited San Siro museum (which in my opinion is not a must) and took the tour at the stadium. We also made a short visit to A.C. Milan training centre Milanello where we witnessed what it is to be be a world class star and have your every move watched. On the way to Venice we made also a short lunch stop at the beautifull and crowded Lake Garda (More specifically in Sirmione). After that we headed for Venice where we arrived later in the evening. We parked at Plaza del Roma and took the water bus to San Marcos where we first had couple of Bellinis at Harry's bar. Then we quickly checked out the Bridge of Sighs which was under construction and framed with something ugly. Later that night we enjoyed an excellent dinner at Osteria Doge Morosini (San Marco 2958-2967) before heading back to our hotel Citta de Milano for some sleep.
Next morning I got up early and made early morning run at the waterside. After breakfast we had a little walkabout before turning our car towards Slovenia, Kranjska Gora and FIS Ski jumping world cup finals. Venice somehow had a little bit of a same wibe as Zansibar with narrow alleys, rich history and overpriced services. Venice is a treat for history and antiques enthusiasts but for more active sort of a traveller like myself more than two days in a place like this would be too much.
17/03/2011
Hello from Italy
Ok, after one day of travelling, here we are at Milan. From sunny Finland to rainy Italy by Ryanair and rental car from Bergamo airport. Locauto has to be one of the slowest car rental services ever. We had filled out an internet form and paid beforehand and still it took a good 30 minutes for all kinds of confusing forms and signatures all over the place. I have to say that driving by San Siro at nighttime was kind of impressive - although everyone has seen it in TV. Tonight we are staying in Hotel San Siro Fierra which seems to be quite nicely run place just outside Milan. Tomorrow we are going to take a closer look as we go for a stadium tour. We are also going to Milan training centre Milanello before we head for Venice. From Venice we will continue our tour to Kranjska Gora (KG) and Planica where we are going to cheer for ski jumping world cup on friday. On saturday the plan is to go to Ljubljana for Slovenian league game NK Olimpija-Koper. Then we'll turn our car back to KG for night to start driving bright and early on Sunday back to Milan and Turin for Serie A games Inter-Lecce and Juventus-Brescia. And on Monday it is time to return home.
-Ville ( &Sune & Janne )
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07/03/2011
Skiing in Lapland
I just spend a week skiing in Lapland with couple of my friends. We managed to do more than 100km cross country in excellent conditions while temperature was between +2 and -10 (Celsius). Even the wind was very mild except for the last two days when it was windy as I witnessed when going downhill skiing on friday at Ylläs fjeld. Overall I would say that this short trip was a great success it being only my second time in Lapland.
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