Benaco Garda

... the lake. The food produced in this area of Italy is another of the many highlights, the number of cheeses, ham and wines to sample seems infinte. The area has all kinds of diverse scenery and vistas to enjoy. I have been visiting this area for over 5 years and have come to the conclusion that the aesthetic and cultural assets are hard to beat.

... haut, on avait une tres belle vue sur toute la ville! Ensuite ca ete la visite de quelque eglises, puis le theatre romain de l'autre cote de la riviere. finalement, on a vue un tres beau pont attacher a un chateau en bordure de la riviere.

nous avons eu le temps de prendre quelques coupes de vin local, accompagne d'excellent bruchetta avant de prendre le train pour milan.

... I think the oldest building I've ever been in - it was built in 30 AD (that's a 2 digit year, not a typo)

Castelvechio was also pretty cool and had some great art inside.

Stopped at Osteria Verona in the main square for some predinner drinks and had some awesome house wine before going to La Taverna Di Via Stella for dinner. Really nice place with friendly staff and great food. Had ...

... of undying love to each other. Makes for quite a sight really. There were nice markets there and a sort of mini colosseum which is still used today for concerts.

There was also a statue of Juliet which is meant to bring you good luck if you rub her right breast. Her right breast is very polished!

Jumped back on the coach to the next stop!

... were very tasty though. But luckily their moustaches were all burnt off!

Venezia was the same, just alot windier, colder and more wet.


We went on to Verona, and wow! Verona is the most beautiful town I had seen in Italy (at this point). I cannot describe what it was about the place, it was just, so different to anywhere else. It had ...

... as we had had enough of Venice and decided that we would rather be in Verona.

Even on a Monday night, there were lots of people out and about enjoying the restaurants – we notice that while we are having dinner, most people in Europe are having drinks or coffee and they eat later. We also have a theory that TV in Europe is pretty lame (American shows from years ago) because everyone is out, rather than home watching it.

... in a small courtyard which is free to get into and there is a statue of Juliette and everyone was trying to get a photo with her- her boobs are shiny from people rubbing them. The tunnel to the courtyard is covered with love notes. As we were leaving, I couldn’t see Greg, so I said “Romeo, Romeo, where art thou Romeo” and the girls didn’t think that was funny!

We got out of the madness and went back to the hotel for a siesta before dinner.

... We also went from having German co-travellers to Italian ones. It was certainly pleasant hearing Italian for change. Arriving into Verona, we appreciated that it was a bit warmer. We checked into a nice motel which was great as the bathroom was nice and we had our own little room where we could shut the door.

We were a short walk from the old city where you walked through the arches of the old wall to a piazza where the ...

... ants nest. not the best pitch we have ever had. We spend the first day lounging by the lake, this part of the lake is dirty and nothing like the romantic picturesque images we were looking forward to. nevertheless it was relaxing the food was good and the beer was cold.
what more could I ask for?
a pitch in the shade away from the ants and the children, too much to ask?

... huge. We spent a few hours exploring the foreshore; some of the land holdings were very large as were many of the recreational boats; there must be old money here! Garda must be a very popular family tourist destination if the size of the caravan parks was anything to go by. Tomorrow we head for the Dolomites to get some bush-walking in the Alps and to have a Sound Of Music moment.