Hotelissimi Verona Villafranca di Verona

... keep up the espresso lifestyle, but if I can, watch out world. I will be the next Picasso. Although I can't paint. Well. I'll be the next something.

I don't have major news to report. It's sad when the 'same ol, same ol' is "I had one of the best pizzas of my life, I went to one of the most fascinating wine bars of my life, I wandered around and was as happy as I've been in my life..." It starts getting old to hear, I'm sure. But to ...

... possible to get hold of a piece of the float for those that do luck is sure to be with them all year. There is a great crush as the crowd surges forward to watch the frenzy, the horses stamp, and yet I have never felt so safe and calm amongst a pressing crowd as we all strain to see the remains of the iron cart and the proud winners of angel wings and saints made of papier-mâché with exquisite detail and craftsmanship. Crowded ...

... 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

... quick visit to a local doctor. After playing charades and being translated by his daughter over speaker phone, he diagnosed me with Bronchitis and gave me a prescription for a few different things to make sure I got rid of it for the cruise. We stayed in Verona for 3 nights, much of which I took it easy trying to get better. We did have a look around the city one day, seeing Juliet's balcony and a few other sights.

... will take our time a little more!

Update: Verona is a gorgeous city! We walked into town before leaving for Austria! We even got to stop by Juliets house and write our name on the wall! We both rubbed Juliets boob of course...strictly for good luck purposes! We once again only got to spend a few hours in the city but it was a great breath of fresh air!


Wish you could all see through my eyes right now!

Next stop Austria!

... castle we walked to the lake region, Mantova is surrounded by three lakes with the castle being in a prime position. After our walk we stopped at a little sidewalk café and had a spritzer (it was a really pretty orange color and
it even had quite a bit of ice!) We headed back to Reggiolo via the Autostrada (stopped at an Americanized fashion outlet) and had pizza at a local pizzeria that is also the local taxi service.

... the gates, stairs, and basically anything that could be written on, was covered in graffiti…mostly romantic inscriptions or names drawn together in a heart. Not to be left out, we borrowed a pen and wrote our names in a heart on the wall :)

Afterwards, we left to find the Roman amphitheatre, which is supposed to be the third largest in existence. It is now an opera house and concert venue-we climbed up the stone steps on the inside and had a nice ...