Hotel Baia Verde Malcesine

Hi there, ok, so its been ages since i blogged......busy times in florence....<br><br>Right, the highlights that you have missed so far....<br><br>we spent a week in Impruneta (suburb of Florence in the begining of the Chianti region) at Steph and Barbara's summer place. So nice and relaxing being in the country side.<br><br>We took full advantage of being around during porcini mushroom season (YUM!!) We ...

... for it to arrive. The platform had been changed and I honestly don't know how I figured that out since, you know, I still don't speak the language, but luckily I made it to the right place. I think I accidently sat on first class, which was pretty sweet, and I didn't get caught because it was only about a ten minute ride. I got off and silently laughed to myself, because I hadn't looked at a map or anything, and had no clue where to go, or ...

... caught a vaporetta which is just like a ferry down the Grand Canal, under Ponte de Rialto to Piazza San Marco where the markets selling tourist stuff were right where we got off. Katelyn was impressed with the Carnivale masks which were pretty impressive and not really that expensive (probably made in Asia). St Mark&#8217;s Square was flooded right in front of the cathedral and they had a narrow timber walkway for people to ...

... summer. Katelyn thought that there must have been a concert the night before as there were cigarette butts everywhere and some rubbish behind seats, but we had to remind her that we weren&#8217;t in Switzerland anymore. It would have been great to see a concert there.<br><br>We moved on to the Castelvecchio which is a castle or home to a couple of the noble families of Verona but is now a very important art gallery with religious paintings which always had some form of ...

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

So I could say that I didn't find internet yesterday to post my blog update. But that would be a lie. Fact is that I walked right by a library with free wifi, but I didn't have my laptop on me and I just wasn't in the mood to go sit on a computer for an hour. I know. Selfish, right? Maybe even narcissistic. ;)<br><br>Anyway, I was having a grand time in Verona and was in search of more canella gelato and I felt that quest was more important than ...

... and music took place on the mountainside facing the town. We were breathless as we watched from our hotel balcony as we sipped champagne. The choreographed fireworks exploding in perfect synchronisation to Puccini and Verdi arias, with the town momentarily silent and the caves lit up and glowing among the dark mountains surrounding the town. A magical evening, crowned to with the splendour of light, a perfect end to our holiday.

I am all settled in my new home. And I love being able to put out my things, 'stock' a fridge and cook my own meals. I even enjoyed washing the dishes last night. Obviously still the honeymoon period. I think it's been good too, because I've been feeling a little sick. I'm out-mentaling the sickness so far, but it was good to have a quiet afternoon yesterday and a slow morning. Plus I think it's just a head cold so I'm ...

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! :)<br>

Verona may just give you a run for your money.<br><br>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.<br><br>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. :)