Bologna Verona

... it anyway. And in fact, it was COFFEE SHAKEN WITH MINT. Go figure, that's almost the exact translation. So I had my first espresso. And holy missoula, it was delicious! And afterward, I didn't have my typical coffee-shakes. Most of you have experienced java josie. And need I say more than "malignant M&M?" I don't think so. But I will tell you what. I have found the motor oil that this particular engine should run on, and it is chilled ...

... But I've been drying everything out on the line outside. I don't think I've ever really done that before. It's kind of fun. Again, clearly still honeymooning. But this little taste of domestic life in the midst of my exploring has been just what the doctor ordered. Then on Friday I head to Venice, Saturday is the cruise and then a week of floating around the Greek Isles. I would have to say that life is pretty darn good.

So much so, that it is about to take the title of 'longest stay' while in Italy. I will spend 5 total nights here. Woohoo! I'm about to leave my fabulous hotel that I love to go to an apartment in the city, where I can live like a local with my own kitchen and everything. I am psyched! The only drawback is that it doesn't have internet. So I will do my best to bring my laptop with me and post updates while I'm in town picking up produce. EEEE! :)

Verona may just give you a run for your money.

I'm in a glorious hotel, drinking German beer -- courtesy Olga at the front desk. And I am right in the very heart of Valpolicella country.

I've decided that in Paris and Rome I was touristing (though I recognize I didn't see nearly enough in either) but Verona is going to be relaxing time. Which I also recognize is ridiculous since I go on a cruise in less than a week. But whatever, it's my trip, I get to decide what I'm doing. :)

... My glass had lip marks on it, and we told him that we had already sipped the water, and he just laughed and quickly took our order. Hmmm.. made us think twice about sipping our water when it arrived.

Next time I'll stay in Verona, and visit Venice.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." ~ Romeo and Juliet

(Whitney)
We found a lovely place to stay in Verona. It was our own apartment with a kitchen and tv and living room area! We found it on a last-minute booking site and it was the same price as a hostel which was awesome! We really just chilled our for a few days in Verona. We had plans to go see Mantua but we were feeling too lazy so we just looked around Verona- a lovely town with a great main square and a first ...

An early start (8am) gets us to Verona by 11am. What a magical place! Everywhere you look is another fantastic view, and so much history! We have a guided tour, then free time for lunch and wandering. The photos speak for themselves. The drive to Sirmione on Lake Garda is about 45 minutes from Verona. We check into our hotel, which is right on the lake at the end of the peninsula. Great views, great pool, great dinner! Dan

... had to sing Vissi D'arte twice because the audience were shouting for more. Cavaradossi was being urged to do the same in his signature aria but I think the maestro was aware of the time. Also, I was complimented on my outfit from the woman sitting behind me. Not bad, I think! We left and had dinner at 1am in the morning in the open air and it was just getting comfortably cool. Today we have done nothing except ...

... covered in notes, graffiti and gum. Apparently it's a tradition to leave love notes attached with gum on the walls and it used to be a huge problem for preserving the building so they came up with a solution after spending two years restoring the wall. They put a layer of plastic over the actual wall and every few months they tear down the plastic layer, replacing it with a new one. This way people can leave notes without leaving any ...

... day in Verona is plenty enough. I stayed in a hotel because the one hostel that Verona has is WAY across city away from the city center where all the sights are. The girl at reception was very helpful and very good looking haha, she told me exactly how to get places which was nice. I did the obvious, I walked to city center, I saw the Arena (mini Coliseum), saw yet another Louis Vuitton store, bringing the count up to 5 now....and I'm not even trying haha. Then of course made my way ...