Danna & Bob's Italian Job: July 2012

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Venice's backstreets.

Our objective this week was to finalize everything so that we can get our medical coverage. Simple thing to do but it has taken several trips to different government offices and we still have to go back next week. First time we went to the office there was at least a 2 hour wait and they closed in 1 1/2 hours. Second time only had to wait for one hour and when it was our turn found out that we needed an official certificate of residence, walked to the other office, waited another 25 minutes only to be told we were in the wrong line. Another wait of 25 minutes and we got our certificate. Lots of negative things are said about government employees but the ones we dealt with were more than helpful. Hopefully we have all the paperwork we need.

Saturday morning the sun was shining and we decided that a return trip to Venice was going to be our next destination. On the train and in 30 minutes we were in Venice. Our other visits were always centered around the tourist hotspots, this meant lots of crowds. This time we walked in the back streets and did not have the crowds to contend with.

Like usual we had to take a picture of Danna and a friend.

Even though it was a hot day there was a breeze from the water keeping us cool. We heard singing from one of the churches so we went inside. They were having a choir practice and it sounded fantastic. The choir was positioned directly under a domed ceiling and I think it amplified the singing. They had to take a break as the church bells started tolling and drowned out the singing.

Today we had reflections all around us.
Guess this happens when you are surrounded by water.

This heart was part of the art display in Venice.

The reflection of the buildings and boats on the other side of the channel were ever changing.
Wonder if the glass is half full or half empty?

We also had these two following us for most of the day.
They left us just after sunset.

Our walk took us to the point of one of the islands. Found the most interesting piece of art, a statue of a young nude boy holding a frog. Must have been valuable since they had an armed security guard next to him.

This spot was also the perfect vantage point to watch 4 cruise ships leaving Venice. Quite a spectacle to see these large ships and then a group of kayakers sharing the same waterway.

There was a marching jazz band to entertained us.
The point of the island makes you feel as if you are on the bow of a ship.

While walking along the Grande Canal we saw the sun hiding behind some clouds. The way it lite up their edges made it look like a person's profile. Well, that is my impression of what it looked like but I was in the sun all day and maybe I was just hallucinating.

While looking for a restaurant we saw another ship leaving port. Even though it was not as big as the cruise ships this tall ship was very impressive. The waves had splashed the sidewalk and gave me a nice reflection of the ship.

It was now past 19:00 so dinner was next on our agenda. With such a warm night we picked an outdoor restaurant. From our table we could see the moon in the evening sky, looked even better since I was with my best friend.

Here I am with my best friend on the Acadamia Bridge earlier in the day.
My nose is smaller than Danna's other friend from this morning.

After dinner we walked back to the train station. You have to buy a ticket and then validate it prior to getting on the train. A few people found out the hard way that you have to follow the posted rules or else you will be fined. One fellow tried to beat the system saying he thought you could buy a ticket on board. The ticket checker listened and then issued a fine. Not a popular fellow on the train but he was doing his job. Maybe he should be hired by Translink in Vancouver.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Trento to Verona Italy

Today we were off to Verona with a stop in Trento to meet our "Gelato Friends" who we met in Bassano del Grappa a few weeks ago. Things never go as planned when you travel. Gave ourselves plenty of time to get to Trento by 14:00 to meet Giorgio and Roberta. The only thing we did not anticipate was the car that broke down on the Brenner Pass. We were in a 6km long parking lot for the better part of 45 minutes. At 13:35 we finally passed the stalled car and we were still 78km from Trento, yes we were going to be late. Thankfully we were able to phone and let our friends know we were of our way.

After parking the car we walked to a piazza,
of course it had a fountain.

Even though this is only the second time we have seen Giorgio and Roberta it was like meeting old friends. We had our gelato next to the Duomo and talked about our trip to Italy and hopefully their visit to Vancouver sometime in the future.

With us being late we were only able to spend one hour together. Yes, the gelato tasted great. After we said our goodbyes we went to the Duomo and then had a leisurely walk around around historic Trento before continuing our drive to Verona.

Driving along the SS12 highway at Callino we saw the old Castel Beseno at the top of the mountain. Our car found it hard going up the steep hill, first gear shift into second then back to first gear. I think a mule would have been faster. Castel Beseno is the largest fortified complex in Trentino.

Verona
Next stop was Verona the city known for the love story of Romeo and Juliet. Checked into the hotel and took the bus into the centre of town. Tonight there was a performance of the opera Don Giovani. Tickets ranged from €22 for seats on the marble stairs up to €180 for nicely padded seats. Ladies in flowing dresses, high heels arm in arm with their well dressed escorts gave us the opportunity to people watch as we had dinner in the piazza.

Shopping anyone? Late into the evening the stores were open selling everything from souveniers to the latest fashions. Here it is July and some stores are out with the latest fall fashions. Heavy jackets and boots are the furthest thing on my mind.

The Arena is home to the Verona Opera. Outdoor operas are performed during the summer months. It has also hosted performances by rock musician such as the Rolling Stones. In 1890 Buffalo Bill performed the Wild West Show in the Arena. Due to the high cost only the best performers are able afford the rent.

Here is one of the fountains in Piazza delle Erbe. In Roman times the piazza served as a meeting place and is now home to the market and numerous restaurants.

We were now tired and were going to take the bus back to our hotel. The bus stop is located just outside the walled city. People leaving the opera walked by us in a steady stream. Danna said I think we are at the wrong bus stop, I said that it was the right one. Finally the bus came and we took it to the end of the route, got off the bus and things did not look familiar, asked the bus driver were the hotel was and found out it was at the opposite end of town. Luckily he was headed back towards our hotel. If we had not gone back to ask directions it would have been a two hour walk with Danna saying "I told you we should have gone to the other bus stop" all the way back. Hard to admit but I was wrong. We did stay on the same bus only my route took a bit longer so I was only 50% wrong.

The next morning we took the bus back into Verona. Best way to get an overview of the city is to get on the "On Off" bus for a tour of the city. The double decker bus with an open top gave us the best view and we were also able to work on our tans.

There are at least 10 bridges over the Aidge River. This bridge was constructed by the Romans and then rebuilt when it was damaged by a flood centuries later. The white arches are from the original bridge.

Now this is a complete renovation! When doing the renovation of our condo I thought I had a big job, nothing to compare with this.

Rumor has it that if you gently rub Juliet's right breast it will bring you good luck.
I thought about this for a few seconds and decided to pass as I am lucky enough to already be with with my best friend travelling through Italy.

Verona is also well known for a simple but tasty dish, gnocchi. Danna thought she would try the gnocchi with three types of cheese, I had the tortellini pasta which was good but should have gone with the gnocchi.

Verona is home to many churchs and one of the largest is Church of Sant Anastasia. Construction started in 1280 and it was completed in 1400.

From the top of our bus we had a good view of the
Church of Santa Maria Antica

The narrow streets open up to the give you a different perspective of the city as you walk along the banks of the Aidge River. Today was very hot and the cool breeze from the river was most welcome.

Danna saw a statue of what she thought was a lion, went to say hello but the creature thought she would be a good afternoon treat.

The architecture in Verona has been influenced by the various groups that have inhabited the area over the centuries. We found these windows to be very interesting.

Next destination to be determined but I think it will be Venice.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Salzburg Austria

This week we travelled to Salzburg, Austria and then back into Italy. Rather than one huge blog we have broken the week into a couple of sections, first one being the picturesque city of Salzburg Austria.

Our rental car was more than capable of going 130km on flat ground but the slightest incline slowed us down. I called it our sewing machine on wheels but realized Danna's machines have more power.

The highway to Austria is very scenic with all the Alps surrounding us. There were lots of tunnels to go through, we counted at least 28 with one tunnel 6.5km long.

Tolls - first one was €15.40 and the second €10.00 for a 450 km drive. Did not expect it but we ended up in Germany when we misses the exit for Salzburg. No problem as it was only just across the border when we realized something was wrong. Missed Salzburg but found our hotel with just one wrong turn, went through a red light and down a one way street the wrong way all in just three minutes.

Now it is time to relax and meet up with our friends Ralph and Eileen. First important thing to do was dinner. Traditional Austrian cuisine was our choice and my Pork Hock was worth the drive.

Next morning we went out for a walk through Mirabell Gardens. One thing for sure I would not want to be the one mowing all the grass. The flowers and layout of the gardens were amazing.

Here we have another lion that has followed us,
Danna has befriended him so we were all safe.

Danna and Eileen with one of their new friends.
Looks like he is hungry by the way he is rubbing his stomach or is it just too much beer last night?

Salzburg has many horse drawn carriges for the tourists to view the town. The locals instead tend to pedal their way around town since all the tour busses are clogging the streets. Another reason to bike around town is to wear off the calories from eating the chocolate and pastries.

The "Grain Lane" is a busy shopping street in the Old Town were tourists buy souvenirs. Unique wrought iron signs are strung across the walkway. On this street you can also find the house where Mozart was born.

Have some extra Euros in your pocket that are weighing you down? Here you can also buy that special dress or complete outfit for a bit over €3,000 and to finished it off a pair of modest shoes for only €1198. I thought they were a great deal until I realized I had the decimal point in the wrong spot! For this price they must be very confortable.

In Europe there are always fountains and here is another one in the main town square.

Here we have Ralph, Eileen, Ralph's Mom Grazia and Roberto.

Dinner was at an outdoor restaurant, who could not resist a monkey with a beer in hand and pretzel on it's tail. Danna decided to order the Monkey Steak and said it tasted great. I kept thinking Tarzan was going to appear from the kitchen.

The rules in European restaurants are different from the ones in North America. Look at the bottom left hand corner and you will see that they even provide a water dish for the dogs.

Plan was to go to the Marionette Theatre tonight for the Sound of Music. Eileen promised me belly dancers would also perform so I agreed to go along. To my surprise they did have belly dancing puppets but none were performing tonight.

After the puppet show we said goodbye to Ralph, Eileen and Grazia. They had an early morning flight to Naples the next morning. We went for a stroll along the river. When crossing the river we found a chain link fence with hundreds of locks attached by young lovers, very romantic but I only had a twist tie for Danna and me.

Salzburg at night with the castle on the hill.

On our way back to the hotel when we hear fireworks off in the distance. Perfect vantage point on the bridge to watched the show.

Everyone I have spoken to says Salzburg is a place you must visit, now I understand why. Great place to visit and hope to go there again.