Verona -Italy

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Verona is a wonderful easy one day visit, from where I live. A two hour train trip. Verona is a city of love,music,theatre, art and culture.Taking my Aussie friends, for a look at this special place, it was obvious that one of the first stops would have to be Juliet’s house…Just a bit of romance thrown in to start off the day…Read on for our day adventure…

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Carole…a colourful visit

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Carole is a city of ancient history. It’s a beautiful, historical sea – side tourist and holiday spot. The cathedral and the bell tower are of the year 1000, two important monuments in Carole, and the  history of Carole follows an evolution the same as Venice.

The historical centre, closed to traffic is a buzz, filled with tourists and locals, street cafe’s, bar’s,restaurants and fabulous shopping. A relaxed Summer vacation spot. The shops sell their local goods from ceramics, linen,wines,chocolates,and ice-cream. It’s one of those special spots where you can sit outside along the cafe strip,on relaxed chairs,red and white checked tablecloths an espresso or a glass of prosecco in hand and watch the world go by.

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Today, the beach of Carole offers to the tourists who come to visit this part of Italy, all it’s beauty,with it’s fine sand, colourful beach fronts and a view of the Adriatic Sea. The two coasts, the West and East are pleasantly interrupted by a huge stone wall. A beautiful scenic walk along the Adriatic from the beachfront to the church of the Madonna dell’Angelo (Angel Mary) at sunrise or sunset is truly a beautiful sight and a must see.

This church is the oldest religious building in Carole and is a sanctuary well known and visited by tourists. It’s rich in history and also known for it’s painted fresco story on the ceiling. The fresco tells the story of how many centuries ago, the fishermen of Carole saw the madonna wrapped up in a ray of light sitting on a marble pedestal which was floating on the sea. With difficulty the fishermen managed to bring it to the bank and put it in the little church, from that time on this sanctuary remains in the hearts of the fishermen of Carole.

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This open museum wall is more than a kilometer long, it extends parallel to the sea and has been defined as one of the most beautiful walks on the High Adriatic. Protecting the ancient village of fishermen.

The wide walk along the sea is protected by heavy massive granite stones made to form an artificial reef, this work started in the 1980’s.

In 1994 the Municipal administration established an international prize called “Scogliera Viva” ( Alive Reef), which is a competition among the best artists for the best sculpture. Every year in June these artists from all over Europe arrive in Carole, for a week, work with hammer and chisel, in an open aired studio,with sun and sea, clouds of dust and curious tourists, for the realization of their work. An image that remains on this open walkway museum, seen and visited my thousands of tourists each year.

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The fishermen of Carole are a group of men we met,are men who all love their work,craftsmanship and of course the ocean. All  have “nicknames”the Prince,Johnny Deep,King of the panocchie,Nano,Lorenzo of Venice. The stories that all of them have and the secrets of their work, the secret spot on the ocean to bring in the best catch, the family backgrounds of fishermen fathers and grandfathers, and not to mention the love of their boats…Mayflower, Allessandro, Briccole..we could have talked for the rest of the summers evenings. A group of men with charisma , all with characters, joyful and friendly folk.

It’s worth the visit to the fishing port of Carole and yes there’s many an hour to spend there.The port has always been the centre of activity,and today the fish market is still in front of the port and officially dates back to 1858.

The original corridors in the historic centre are alleyways with cololured walls covered in fishing memorabilia. The shutters of the houses are all brightly coloured nowadays covered in Summer blooming flowers. A cololurful visual impact to the eye, and a perfect setting for a relaxed Summer Sunday afternoon visit.

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Walk on my Clouds

Silvano and myself had the opportunity to take a Sunday drive this morning. Heading for Susegana,Province Treviso, Region Veneto, Italy’s well-known region for its wine – Prosecco. Prosecco is a white grape and makes a sparkling wine. This picturesque drive takes us through a region of winding roads with a canopy of shady trees and hillsides overflowing with vineyards. Characteristic of the film,( which always leaves that romantic feeling at heart) A Walk in the Clouds.   

Susegana

Susegana

This drive is just breath-taking, stopping nearly every five minutes to take photo’s, we continue along a tourist trail, actually called ” Prosecco Road”. It’s also a well-known tourist attraction for cyclists, trail bikes and trekkers.   

Susegana

Susegana

Travelling along this road we arrive at the ruins of one of Susegana’s castles, The Castle of Collalto. Most of the castle was destroyed during the great war (1915 – 1918), and today there’s little left of its walls. What ruins there are remain covered by overgrown greenery and forest. Two guard towers remain today with the entrance arches.   

entrance gateway -castle of Collalto

entrance gateway- castle of Collalto

The church of Saint George was reconstructed in the 1930′s after it’s destruction in the great war, later used as a Franciscan monastery. The church was then renovated again in 2000 and construction work was only finished last year 2009.  

church - St. George Collalto

church St George Collalto

As you see we were in the ruins around twelve midday, to the sounds of the ringing of the bell tower. 

bell tower

bell tower

Obviously we stopped at the Two Towers * Due Torri bar and restaurant for a glass of Prosecco. 

bar and restaurant

Silvano

And before heading home pass by a personal ”special” place for us amongst these vineyards the restaurant where we first met. 

meeting place Susegana

So yes, this is a magical place for us. 

 A region where with hard work, innovation and respect to tradition some of the finest Prosecco known throughout the world is produced in this area.

Treviso…villa’s and gardens

As I wander along the walkway outside the walls of Treviso, the beauty and serenity can hardly be captured in a click of a camera. To take in this beauty I wish you could share an hour with me, walking along the shady pathway with its huge horse-chestnut trees, its calming meandering river, and its beautiful scenery.   

shaded walkways

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Just outside the wall, through the gateway of Porta Calvi, but within the circular boundary of the centre of Treviso there are many beautiful villa’s and gardens.   

villa - Treviso

All with their unique architecture and facades…and gardens that are at the water’s edge.   

villa - Treviso

villa - Treviso

A private but public hide away. I love the entrances to these villa’s with grand iron gateways, entangled with ivy and emblems. Statues , columns and frescoed art , symbols of  grandeur. 

entrance to a villa

entrance to a villa

Their pristine gardens and blooming spring flowers, an open” welcome”  invitation.   

open gardens

entrance garden to villa

villa - Treviso

Treviso is truly a beautiful place and is harmonious in saying ”la bella vita” –  the beautiful life. I truly am lucky to live in a beautiful and safe place.

Turning your head…..Treviso

Treviso

Treviso

  

Walking around the outside of the wall of Treviso is truly a pleasurable experience…taking my time today…I wanted to capture the full picture. Innumerable lions and coats of arms are carved into the walls, semi - circular turrets break up the outline of this wall, remnants of battlement… if only a whisper from these walls could tell me what this beautiful place today went through during war-time.  

Treviso

wall - Treviso

Treviso

Treviso

Wall - Treviso

Numerous bold horse-chestnut trees line the walk ways and the flowing Sile river curves it way around and under the city and walkways.

Treviso

 

Along the walkway there are many tranquil spots to stop… 

Sile River - Treviso

Visit with me….Bassano Del Grappa

….no this is not a history lesson, a few photo’s of the things I found interesting and loved as we walked around Bassano Del Grappa…in the heart of town there was a buzz of locals, tourists, everyone enjoying the start of the Spring weather, having a coffee at one of the local cafe’s or taking a photo of the many historical buildings..in the centre of town Piazza Libertà  there is the Church of St. John the Baptist, town hall and clock..   

St.John the Baptist -Church

town clock

there are many frescoes on the walls and leading out through cobbled stone alleyways there still remains two of the original gates..   

Porta Dieda

..one of the gates Porta Dieda and the other Porta della Grazie.  

The streets of this historic centre are filled with statues, fountains, cafe’s and boutiques….and every angle doted with mignon gardens full of colour and perfume….the boutique shops are just so colourful, their window displays are amazing with a continuous urge to enter through their doors to have an extra glimpse inside…   

  

  

bakery

How can you not resist buying a hot fresh bread roll or sweet bread from this bakery, not to mention the perfume as you walk past the door………or buying some of the local Bassano ceramics…..  

Bassano ceramics

Bassano ceramics

maybe some porcini mushrooms…..  

   

 

We had a wonderful day walking around this town, a truly pleasurable and memorable place to visit…Bassano Del Grappa

View from a bridge…Bassano Del Grappa

After a week of rain and thunderstorms, today was truly a Spring day,we decided to take a 50km drive to a beautiful place called Bassano Del Grappa. It’s not my first visit, we’ve shown visiting friends this special place before, leaving them and myself fond memories…amazing views of Mount Grappa and the Valsugana Valley.

Ponte Vecchio -old bridge

The symbol of this historical town is the old bridge -Ponte Vecchio, with it’s grand appearance and construction of wood, it’s visited by tourists everyday..and today was no different. While walking across the bridge you have views of the Valsugana Valley and the Brenta river.The bridge was a vital means of communications between territories of Vicenza and Bassano. It’s been destroyed more than once, during war time and also violent flooding, however has been rebuilt exactly as it’s original design.

wooden bridge -Ponte Vecchio

We visited today the tavern “Taverna Al Ponte” otherwise known as the “Taverna degli Alpini” which is at the eastern entrance..downstairs is the Italian Alpine Troops Museum..a fascinating look at memorabilia from both world wars.

Eastern entrance -Ponte Vecchio

Here’s a view from one of the downstairs windows of the museum….

Treviso

Porta of San Tomaso.Treviso

The north entrance gate to Treviso is called Porta of San Tomaso, daunting walls were erected to make the town more secure in the early sixteenth century.  Access to the town was restricted to just three gates,which have all survived intact to the present day.

The water canals flow around and through Treviso under large and small bridges and in front of reflecting houses with their colourful balconies of blooming flowers.Treviso is a maze of narrow cobbled lanes, and not easy to walk around ladies with heels.

outside the wall

inside the wall

Treviso by night is magnificient, the heart of town Piazza dei Signori is the main meeting place for both young and old. Now surrounded by bars,restaurants and ice cream parlours. It’s the place to meet for a “spritz” the local drink of prosecco and bitters.

Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei signori

The floating city…Venice

St Mark's Basilica

  

Venice is a wonderful and magical place to visit…a quick 20 minutes in train from where I live..I have the opportunity to visit often.     

 It’s the start of the  busy tourist season at the moment..although i don’t think Venice is ever quiet, never the less, Sunday’s visit with friends was most enjoyable.For a first time visitor, it’s just the expression on their face, after capturing the first glance, (walking out of the train station),the smile on their face that let’s me know it’s all and more than they imagined. Spectacular views of architecture,galleries and artisan showrooms,gondola’s and the taste of local wines and food,Venice with capture your heart.      

St. Marks Basilica

Ponte Rialto

Wandering through the many little alleyways..of course it’s not Venice if you don’t lose your way! Over small canals and bridges there’s always something new to discover.  

 An out-of-the-way restaurant serving the local fresh cuisine and wine,or finding an angle where a local artist sells his paintings. However  the question that came to mind on Sunday was.. can you really tell, who the person living there is by the washing on the line?      

Washing Day

Looking up…private is not private living in Venice. Wanting to capture a few rays of  sunshine is everyone’s washing plain for the world to see.Inquisitive eye’s just wanting a glimpse of who lives inside these apartments..or what do these apartments look like….linen transparent curtains with a glow of a lamp inside…tell’s me that someone’s home. It’s clear that the apartments on the top floors are hard to find vacant…as who want’s to come home with floating cushions and rugs or your cat hanging from the chandelier with high tides. 

arriving in gondola

venice waters