Italy 2016

Milan, Verona and Uniworld River Cruise in Venice

This adventure included four days in Milan, a river cruise from Venice, a few days in Berlin and traveling around Poland by train. You will have to read the second posting for Berlin and Poland.

May 24, 2016

As usual the start of the trip means many hours in airports and lounges. American is refurbishing the old USAirways lounge in Orlando, but not until later this year.

So after flying to JFK, and flying to Milan, I had to endure almost 90 minutes on a bus to reach the city. Luckily my room was available for a much needed nap.

Refreshed, I walked to the Duomo, a magnificent cathedral and walked through the original Galleria, according to Eric. I had great pizza and beer for lunch, but my dinner of pasta, veal and wine was outstanding. I will definitely go back.

The weather in Milan was perfect, in the mid 70s and bright sunshine.

May 25 - 29, 2016 - Milan, Italy

Milan is a beautiful city. I expected an industrial city, but the city center was built for tourists. My first day was relaxing, recovering from jet lag. I walked to the main square and had my first glimpse of the amazing cathedral. I also walked through the original Galleria.

Selfie at Milan Duomo

The original Galleria

Milan Train Station

As usual I was attracted to the train station. After lunch, pizza of course, I walked to the castle and grounds.

The Castle

On the third day I switched hotels, joining my tour. I didn't realize the soccer world cup finals were being held in Milan. The city was electric with fans from two Madrid teams chanting morning, noon and night. I actually got a good picture of the world cup trophy. One evening I went to the main square to join the festivities.

The World Cup

The Galleria at Night

During our city tour we visited the inside of the white marble cathedral. That was my one church for the day. In the afternoon we visited the restored Last Supper fresco.

The Last Supper

May 29, 2016 - Milan to Verona to Venice

We traveled by coach to Verona for the day. The highlight was Juliet's balcony. When we got to the Colosseum the clouds opened up. We made it to the bus soaked to the skin.

Romeo looking for Juliet

Rain at the Colosseum

That afternoon we had a great lunch at a beautiful vineyard. The Amarone was great, as was the food.

After a few more hours on the coach we reached Venice and the Uniworld River Countess.

May 30, 2016 - Venice

Today we had a walking tour to discover Venice. The highlight was a visit to the Doge' s Palace. We took back roads back to our river boat.

Clock in Doge's Palace

That afternoon I took my own walk all over Venice.

One of the most characteristic features of the Venetian gondola is its front ornament, called ferro ("iron" in Italian). This comb-shaped piece of metal serves as counterweight to the gondolier who stands at the rear, but it has also a decorative and symbolic purpose: the overall shape of the ferro is an "S", representing the shape of the Grand Canal, the main waterway of the city; each of the six teeth of the front part of the comb represents a sestiere (the sestieri are Venice's six quarters), while the little arch above them refers to the Rialto bridge; the back-facing tooth represents the Giudecca Canal.

Is he on his cell phone?

Will I ever take out my paints again?

Piazza San Marco

The Grand Canal

More Gondolas

Tell the truth

May 31, 2013 - Chioggia and Padua, Italy

Today we sailed to Chioggia and then took an excursion to Padua. For those of you who have seen the musical Pippin, that is where he went to school.

One of the main squares in Padua

We ended the tour with the famous coffee with mint at the Café Pedrocchi.

June 1, 2016 - Bologna, Italy

We started the tour walking around the city of pasta. The highlight was a pasta making demonstration which I participated in. For lunch we had pasta with Bolognese sauce. You cannot have this sauce with spaghetti.

Pasta, pasta everywhere

Fresh veggies

Me making pasta - YUM

The professional making pasta

June 2, 2016 - Chioggia, Italy

Today was market day in Chioggia and the street was packed with vendors of every ilk. I walked half the market then opted for side streets.

For lunch we had amazing mussels.

We took a scenic tour by boat of this charming fishing village.

The weekly street market

On our scenic boat tour

Mussels growing

June 3, 2016 - Torcello and Burano, Italy

Today we took a private boat to the islands of Torcello and Burano.

I skipped the basilica in Torcello and walked around the small island. We then transferred to the colorful island of Burano. We ended the tour in a special local vineyard where the bottles are Murano glass and the labels gold leaf.