Sole Hotel Malcesine

... 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 ...

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! :)

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. :)

... 8217; ballet class was in session.

We had a nice lunch of pizza at a restaurant on the square. A girl brought us frizzante water and we just nodded, smiled, poured, and began to drink. Our waiter approached the table and chuckled... “this is not yours” and picked up our glasses and put them on the people’s table sitting in front of ...

... 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 ...

... 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!

... the way to Garda were beautiful. Once we arrived at Lago Di Garda we walked around the town and visited some more shops and ordered a cappuccino and a coca-cola light. On our way back to Reggiolo we once again traveled the Autostrada and safely arrived back to our town. We stopped at the local Coop (another grocery in town) and picked up a few items so we could have dinner in. We had hard rolls with ham and cheese and finished off our meal with some gelato.

Well, we found out why we couldn't book any tickets for The Last Supper viewing until November-it was sold out until then! We managed to get a parking spot in Milan, only to find out once we had maneuvered into it that it appeared to be residential parking…it was still raining and too difficult to find another place to park so we just decided to risk it. We walked about 1km in the pouring rain to the Cenacolo Vinciano where the painting is held and were ...

... the best pizza in town (just ask the locals) is at Du do Cope (it was excellent, but reminded us a lot of the pizza at Nostrana back home.) And they are the only place so far we've seen that carries artisianal Italian beers. It was absurdly expensive, but the 14 Euro bottle I had was really good and was a red ale with almost a champagne-like feel to it's fizziness. Odd, but tasty and interesting.

Next.