Hotel Val Di Sogno Malcesine

... t go after that). All was fixed by a gelato in the main square though :)<br><br>Then spent a week in central Florence with the most fab view ever, right over the ponte vecchio. Saw some of my favorite sights in Florence, took Jason to get a haircut, ate a ton of pizzas and good food, and all and all had a fab time in Florence. <br><br>Have been passing the time giving Jason Italian lessons and he's doing ...

... on and on, usually going in circles. In between all the internal struggling, I would have moments of pure delight, like when we took the boys to the swimming pool and my Italian teacher/English student bought me a cup of hot chocolate. But hot chocolate over here is not thin, weak chocolate water that Americans drink. No, no, no. This hot chocolate is more like hot pudding, I couldn't fathom the idea of drinking it, it looked too thick. It ...

... as we had had enough of Venice and decided that we would rather be in Verona. <br><br>Even on a Monday night, there were lots of people out and about enjoying the restaurants &#8211; 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&#8217;t see Greg, so I said &#8220;Romeo, Romeo, where art thou Romeo&#8221; and the girls didn&#8217;t think that was funny!<br><br>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.<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 ...

... It was like finally my brain and my subconscious could operate at the same speed. I was seeing everything at once like a beautiful painting. I know, it sounds like they slipped me some absinthe or mary jane, but seriously, I just watch the crowd of people go by and saw each individual while I saw the whole part of the crowd. It was incredible. Same thing with the clouds, layers and layers and layers of 'seeing'. I loved it. I don't know if I ...

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. :)

... cup of tiramisu, and my tongue did a little dance. I'm definitely gaining weight now! It was fun to be a part of this happy family's life though, I have no clue what was talked about, but I love just watching it all. Italians are very loving. Everyone's welcomed me with open arms. Sometimes I'm treated like a (really big) kid, they push candy on me and tell me "bravo!" when I say something in Italian, but it's nice.<br><br>Thursday: I woke up in a ...