Hotel Baia Verde Malcesine

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. ;)

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 ...

... through the streets accompanied enthusiastically by the town dignitaries dressed as Knights Templars on horseback, clergy and musicians. After passing through the town three times, the Madonna is removed and the atmosphere changes to one of eager anticipation of what is about to happen. At the appointed moment, the sets off at high speed pulled towards the town square where the local youths are gathered ready to try in every ...

... some vitamin C will kick it out. And I have some succa di arancia e annanas. Not bananas as you might think, but pineapple. Go figure.

I'm going into the city to find internet and to eat at a little place I noticed the other day. It's called La Cantina De L'Arena. Which I just realized should actually be Cantina Dell'Arena, right Signora Tumminia? Anyway, it called to me last time I was there but was ...

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. :)

... would go together when she was off work. We brought the boys with, and "I'm going to stare at you to make sure you don't steal my too small for you shoes" lady wasn't there but I wasn't in the mood to try anything on. We left after a couple minutes, Luisa telling me it was rude to not try stuff on, even if it's too small or you don't like anything, you're basically obligated to do it here. I guess it's rude in the States too, but I don't feel ...

Verona is a lovely city. How could it not be when it is the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Vince and I took a day trip and saw the sights.

My favorite was the Gusti Gardens, I could have spent hours there walking around. There was a small house on the left side of the garden that housed a dance studio. While we were there a little ...

... amphitheatre. We walked down Via Mazzini to Piazza Erbe, a really nice square with restaurants and market stalls. We saw Juliet's balcony as well as the graffiti-lined walls of the tunnel that leads to it which are filled with hearts and people's declarations of love. We walked along, following the canal, and saw the Duomo, after which we headed back.
One night we bought some groceries and had a lovely ...

... the towns and the mountains and fields. We have decidedly chosen to take the non toll roads. The drive to Verona would have been 3 hours on the highway but we took the 6 hour drive through the most gorgeous scenery I have ever experienced! 3 hours of mountain driving passed by in a second! Luckily Chris was driving because I don't know how I would have felt driving along some of those cliffs but he took his time so we were safe as can be! I ...

... down the countless amount of stairs to the town of Verona itself, which was good because it meant that we didn’t have to drive in and find a parking spot for Fred. After walking through the main area and looking for Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) awhile, we finally found it! It was packed with tourists but a special place to see-the balcony where Shakespeare apparently set the scene was in full view from the courtyard. The entire area around it ...