Tuscany September 2018

Some members from Mallow travelled to Tuscany recently with the Travel Department. We were with people from all over the country 48 in total so had plenty of opportunity to make friends. We had fabulous weather and a terrific guide called Claudia. We stayed in the Grand Plaza Hotel in the centre of Montocatini.
The food and staff were fabulous at the hotel and rooms very comfortable. Each day we were taken on a tour and had some time for shopping. We visited Florence Pisa Lucca and Sienna and in each town we had a walking tour if we wished. we also went on the fernicular to visit a medieval village mhigh in the mountains and a boat trip to fishing villages among them Monterosso.
We met some lovely people and had a very enjoyable time.

Mary Theresa and Nancy

Bernadette Nora Mary Theresa Nancy and Dora

 Scene from Montocatini Alto

The fernicular coming up the mountain

Lovely food here

Nancy Nora and Dora

Margaret Mary Theresa and Bernadette

Carrera marble on the walls of this house

Our dining room

Nancy and Nora

Nancy N ora Bernadette Margaret and Dora

Our dining room

Detail of plasterwork

Gates of Paradise Florence

Liz Dora and Kay

Marianna our favourite waiter

Norah and Kay at the opera

Mary at the opera

Refreshments at the opera

Refreshments at the opera

 At the opera house

Fountain at the opera house

 Bernadette and Nora with Lucky

Mary Theresa Nora and Bernadette in Pisa

Papier Mache exhibit which won 1st prize

In Monterosso

 San Gmaiiyano

 VInyard

 Norah Mary and Kay

 Dora Mary Theresa and Liz

Margaret and Nora

 Leg of pork

 Our hotel

 Goodbye!

Front entrance of our hotel

Dingle September 2018

Our September trip was to Dingle and even though it was a wet day it was most enjoyable.Our first stop was at the South Pole Inn in Anascaul where we were mawd very welcome and served hot new baked scones and tea/coffee followed by a talk on Tom Creans adventures. We then went to the Blasket centre where we had a video show and talk and viewing of a fabulous stain glass window followed by lunch in their restaurant. We also saw some lovely photos by John Hootan  which were fabulous . We were particularly interested as John hails from Mallow. We were disappointed that we  could not go out to the Blasket Island due to inclement weather.
After lunch we went into Dingle shopping and for Irish coffee in Paudies which was delicious.Later we had dinner in the Skellig Hotel where the staff were very kind and attentive and the food was simply delicious.
All in all a most enjoyable day.

                                                 Gabrielle Dora and Maureen

Norita and Eileen

Tom Crean

b ronze statue of Tom Crean in the park

Our group in front of the stained glass window

Mary and Noreen

Mae and Eddie and friend Fergal

Anne and friend

Theresa Brenda Attracta Mary and Noreen

Mary Dora and Maria

Mary Pearl MaryG and Eileen

May and Una

Maura and Noelle

Catherine and Mary

Eileen Norita and Gabrielle

Denis Mary Eileen Maureen and Kathleen