Week 8
Just realised I have not said anything about Treviso where we are staying. It is a lovely walled town that although heavily bombed and partly destroyed during the war, has managed to retain quite a lot of the old buildings and churches,etc. it is surrounded by rivers and canals and quite quaint really. nice squares and lovely arched walkways with plenty of shops. Really laid back atmosphere. In fact, I was thinking, you cannot fail to love a people that will close their restaurants, shops, bars or whatever, and go on holidays right in the middle of the "make money" from tourism season. I actually love seeing the signs saying "chiuso per feries" (shut for holidays.
The Italians really do not strike me as money grabbers.
There is no pressure in the restaurants to get you out to release tables, even if there are people waiting. all together it feels like they have the right attitude to life. Work to live and not live to work. I love that.
Had a lovely relaxing day today asolando (apparently a term invented by a Robert Browning, English poet, that lived in Asolo, the place we visited yesterday. Expression meant to translate as "wondering aimlessly", rather like we are doing. I like that.
Wednesday 27 July 2011
Monday 25 July 2011
Garda, Italian drivers and odd thoughts....
Week 8 of adventure.
Had a fabulous 2 weeks in Garda. It felt like a holiday within a holiday. Moniga, where we stayed, wasn't what I thought it would be like. Nice, but did not have the mountains and Lake views I was hoping for. But, when you travel on a budget, you can't have it all. Apartment was good, village ok and full of Northern Europeans, no English at all. Good base for travelling round though and we were above a Pizzaria. What else can you want? I loved Garda though.
They might say that Garda, Sirmione, Bardolino, Malcesine, etc are full of turists and shops selling tat, but so what? they are beautiful places and you can always find some quiet places if you want. I loved Malcesine because of the trip up in the cable car - 1760 metres up - and lots of wonderful walks. Just wish I had more time there to do them. Gorgeous views too.
Ah, the earth did move too, though not in the bedroom - it was a minor earthquake (4.5) and centred round where we were before - Reggio Emilia - but it felt a bit stronger than the one in Manchester. Today there was another tremor further North.
Just a few points about Italian drivers: they are definitely mad... They have this wonderful habit (Not) of waiting and waiting to join a main road and then pull out right in front of you at 30 miles an hour. However, if you are in front of them and doing, say 65 on a road where limit is 60, they will flash you, beep you and generally go mad because you are not going faster.
Yet, Giovanni, our landlord, told us that the fine is 159 euros and 5 points in the licence if you are caught speeding. How can one make sense of that?
Another really irritating habit they have is, no matter how empty the road may be, to sit right up your backside and in the middle of the road, as if they are going to pass you, but then don't. It must be something they learn at auto school, because they all do it. arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Finally, not wanting to rub it in, woke up this morning, weather forecast was meant to be bad. Looked at the skies and then, just decided to pop to Venice for lunch. How cool is that? And weather? Too hot to handle, blood wish had left my coat at home.
Venice was heaving. Really awful. Just glad we had already been and done all the sights, so we could just wonder around aimlessly and avoid the big crowds. Had a lovely lunch though. Great day but would not recommend a visit in July/August.
Had a fabulous 2 weeks in Garda. It felt like a holiday within a holiday. Moniga, where we stayed, wasn't what I thought it would be like. Nice, but did not have the mountains and Lake views I was hoping for. But, when you travel on a budget, you can't have it all. Apartment was good, village ok and full of Northern Europeans, no English at all. Good base for travelling round though and we were above a Pizzaria. What else can you want? I loved Garda though.
They might say that Garda, Sirmione, Bardolino, Malcesine, etc are full of turists and shops selling tat, but so what? they are beautiful places and you can always find some quiet places if you want. I loved Malcesine because of the trip up in the cable car - 1760 metres up - and lots of wonderful walks. Just wish I had more time there to do them. Gorgeous views too.
Ah, the earth did move too, though not in the bedroom - it was a minor earthquake (4.5) and centred round where we were before - Reggio Emilia - but it felt a bit stronger than the one in Manchester. Today there was another tremor further North.
Just a few points about Italian drivers: they are definitely mad... They have this wonderful habit (Not) of waiting and waiting to join a main road and then pull out right in front of you at 30 miles an hour. However, if you are in front of them and doing, say 65 on a road where limit is 60, they will flash you, beep you and generally go mad because you are not going faster.
Yet, Giovanni, our landlord, told us that the fine is 159 euros and 5 points in the licence if you are caught speeding. How can one make sense of that?
Another really irritating habit they have is, no matter how empty the road may be, to sit right up your backside and in the middle of the road, as if they are going to pass you, but then don't. It must be something they learn at auto school, because they all do it. arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Finally, not wanting to rub it in, woke up this morning, weather forecast was meant to be bad. Looked at the skies and then, just decided to pop to Venice for lunch. How cool is that? And weather? Too hot to handle, blood wish had left my coat at home.
Venice was heaving. Really awful. Just glad we had already been and done all the sights, so we could just wonder around aimlessly and avoid the big crowds. Had a lovely lunch though. Great day but would not recommend a visit in July/August.
Thursday 7 July 2011
Rip off Milan and weird sights...
Finally went to Milan yesterday. Brill start to the day, 40 euros for return tickets for the two of us and it is a 2 hour trip on the train. Why does England has to be so expensive? Comfortable trains, on time and air condicioned...
Good value metro tickets too. 3 euros each for the whole day.
Duomo is impressive. Weird looking really, mix of styles, since it took 400 years to be built. Great views from the top too.
Lunch was a disater, we fell into the trap, we said we wouldn't, of eating in a touristy place on the main thoroughfare of the town. 62 euros for a crap meal - just the wine was 30 euros and we had to return the first bottle because it was definitely corked. Awful. Won't be doing that again in a hurry. Don't mind paying if the stuff is good. Nice enough city, but just about posing really, although the Duomo and the castle were good and good value too. Westminster is so much more expensive to get in.
Today went to Torrechiara, a refurbished castle nearby. Lovely setting and lovely rooms. On the way back called somewhere else and took the back roads for a change. Passing through a semi industrial area, we were amused to see in the 30+ degrees heat, loads of road side prostitutes, touting and showing their wares. One of them had a very mini skirt on, pulled down halfway through her bum, showing her thong and shaking her backside. Mind you, they had umbrellas to shade them from the sun. Very wise, ha,ha,ha....
Another 2 sleeps and we are off to Garda. Really looking forward to seeing some mountains again. I have enjoyed it here, but it is very flat indeed.
I may go quiet on the blog because there is no internet in the next property and I may not be int he mood to look for internet cafes.
Good value metro tickets too. 3 euros each for the whole day.
Duomo is impressive. Weird looking really, mix of styles, since it took 400 years to be built. Great views from the top too.
Lunch was a disater, we fell into the trap, we said we wouldn't, of eating in a touristy place on the main thoroughfare of the town. 62 euros for a crap meal - just the wine was 30 euros and we had to return the first bottle because it was definitely corked. Awful. Won't be doing that again in a hurry. Don't mind paying if the stuff is good. Nice enough city, but just about posing really, although the Duomo and the castle were good and good value too. Westminster is so much more expensive to get in.
Today went to Torrechiara, a refurbished castle nearby. Lovely setting and lovely rooms. On the way back called somewhere else and took the back roads for a change. Passing through a semi industrial area, we were amused to see in the 30+ degrees heat, loads of road side prostitutes, touting and showing their wares. One of them had a very mini skirt on, pulled down halfway through her bum, showing her thong and shaking her backside. Mind you, they had umbrellas to shade them from the sun. Very wise, ha,ha,ha....
Another 2 sleeps and we are off to Garda. Really looking forward to seeing some mountains again. I have enjoyed it here, but it is very flat indeed.
I may go quiet on the blog because there is no internet in the next property and I may not be int he mood to look for internet cafes.
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Summertime and living is easy....
Nice morning round Carpi again. First time market was on and it was difficult to see the town for what it is. The castle goes back to 1472. Visited it on our own. they are doing works to it and this gorgeous builder/curator maybe(?) gave us a quick round up before leaving us on our own to enjoy the place. How much history can you handle? Lovely. To think Brasil wasn't even discovered yet and here was this thriving city already.
lovely, lovely laid back place but with shops such as Max Mara - its birth place is round here. Anyway.... Nice cappucino on the square for 2,60 euros for 2 and then to the best bakery ever for some filled foccacia and cakes, all for 10 euros plus some extra canapes thrown it. Gorgeous...
Now home and just relaxing... Forgot to say this is ciclist heaven, everybody cycles everywhere - very flat, and lots of cycle lanes and the like. Wish I could cycle. Maybe something to learn in Rio das Ostras - also very flat...
lovely, lovely laid back place but with shops such as Max Mara - its birth place is round here. Anyway.... Nice cappucino on the square for 2,60 euros for 2 and then to the best bakery ever for some filled foccacia and cakes, all for 10 euros plus some extra canapes thrown it. Gorgeous...
Now home and just relaxing... Forgot to say this is ciclist heaven, everybody cycles everywhere - very flat, and lots of cycle lanes and the like. Wish I could cycle. Maybe something to learn in Rio das Ostras - also very flat...
Sunday 3 July 2011
Sunday, divine drink/desert and happy....
I forgot to tell you all about this amazing dessert/drink I had - now twice -and will definitely be trying to make at home - sorbetto al limone. Not a sorbet, but liquid mana from heaven. Wonderful after a meal. Had just the plain one, but just found out that it can be done with vodka or fizzy wine. WOW...
Had a lovely morning at Castel d'Arquato. Beautifully restored medieval town, an hour from here. Lovely laid back atmosphere, great views from the tower and a lovely meal in an enoteca with just Italians in. I love this country.
How can you not like a country with streets called Bellini, Puccini and my favourite Cherubini... Just the sounds of them, make me dream... Might mean bugger all, but that it sounds lovely, it does....
Sorry but more photos of castles adn the like to follow in facebook.
Had a lovely morning at Castel d'Arquato. Beautifully restored medieval town, an hour from here. Lovely laid back atmosphere, great views from the tower and a lovely meal in an enoteca with just Italians in. I love this country.
How can you not like a country with streets called Bellini, Puccini and my favourite Cherubini... Just the sounds of them, make me dream... Might mean bugger all, but that it sounds lovely, it does....
Sorry but more photos of castles adn the like to follow in facebook.
Sunday, divine drink/desert and happy....
I forgot to tell you all about this amazing dessert/drink I had - now twice -and will definitely be trying to make at home - sorbetto al limone. Not a sorbet, but liquid mana from heaven. Wonderful after a meal. Had just the plain one, but just found out that it can be done with vodka or fizzy wine. WOW...
Had a lovely morning at Castel d'Arquato. Beautifully restored medieval town, an hour from here. Lovely laid back atmosphere, great views from the tower and a lovely meal in an enoteca with just Italians in. I love this country.
How can you not like a country with streets called Bellini, Puccini and my favourite Cherubini... Just the sounds of them, make me dream... Might mean bugger all, but that it sounds lovely, it does....
Sorry but more photos of castles adn the like to follow in facebook.
Had a lovely morning at Castel d'Arquato. Beautifully restored medieval town, an hour from here. Lovely laid back atmosphere, great views from the tower and a lovely meal in an enoteca with just Italians in. I love this country.
How can you not like a country with streets called Bellini, Puccini and my favourite Cherubini... Just the sounds of them, make me dream... Might mean bugger all, but that it sounds lovely, it does....
Sorry but more photos of castles adn the like to follow in facebook.
Saturday 2 July 2011
music in the square, art fatigue....
End of week 4 and what a good week we have had. Highlights were a failed attempt to get to Milan - couldn't find entrance to car park, even using GPS and by the time we found it, the train was gone... Oh, well wasn't meant to be. In fact, not hot on going to Milan, but just want to be able to say "have done it" or more likely, not wanting to regret it, if we don't.
Stayed in Reggio yesterday and had a really nice day. The full market was on. Mostly trash clothes but I did buy a top for 10 euros ! and then after a proper Summer storm in the afternoon, went into town for a meal. Came across an Italian group playing in the Piazza. Really strange being in a 500 year old square, overlooked by a part medieval church and listening to The Strokes music - so Alan tells me, anyone that knows me, knows also that I am tone death, neither can sing, nor can recognise music...SAD.. it was great though.
One for Richard - the Italian word for "change to" is "passa", and there is this mobile company called Wind. So, it does amuse me to hear this advert urging people all the time to "Passa a wind!!!". I know, boys toilet humour, but am sure Rick and Neill will appreciate it.
Today was Mantova. beautiful and had 2 amazing castles. One was that elaborate that by the end of it, I could neither move my neck, from looking at the heavily painted ceilings, nor distinguish between one room and another. Amazing, but sometimes too much. You need hours in each room to fully appreciate it. Loved it though. Recommend it..
Stayed in Reggio yesterday and had a really nice day. The full market was on. Mostly trash clothes but I did buy a top for 10 euros ! and then after a proper Summer storm in the afternoon, went into town for a meal. Came across an Italian group playing in the Piazza. Really strange being in a 500 year old square, overlooked by a part medieval church and listening to The Strokes music - so Alan tells me, anyone that knows me, knows also that I am tone death, neither can sing, nor can recognise music...SAD.. it was great though.
One for Richard - the Italian word for "change to" is "passa", and there is this mobile company called Wind. So, it does amuse me to hear this advert urging people all the time to "Passa a wind!!!". I know, boys toilet humour, but am sure Rick and Neill will appreciate it.
Today was Mantova. beautiful and had 2 amazing castles. One was that elaborate that by the end of it, I could neither move my neck, from looking at the heavily painted ceilings, nor distinguish between one room and another. Amazing, but sometimes too much. You need hours in each room to fully appreciate it. Loved it though. Recommend it..
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