I have been remembering Cuba as this time last year I was there. I have been reliving that trip in my dreams, day and night and wishing to be free to travel again internationally – SOON! Damn Coronavirus! I wouldn’t recommend travel to Cuba in July as it is muy caliente – very hot! However, if this is the only time you can go – go anyway! A quick ride to the playa can remedy the exhaustion of the heat. This beach is outside of Trinidad and it’s called Playa Ancon. A short ride by taxi and you are transported to clear turquoise waters and soft sand with plenty of palapas for a respite from the sun.
I can see for miles…….
Another way to avoid the heat of summer in Cuba is a trip into Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve park in the Escambray Mountain range. Taking a dip in the chilly waters of a waterfall pool while the euphonic sound of the falls soothes your soul is magical. I highly recommend the hike through the reserve. Passing through small coffee plantations, stopping to rest and enjoy a cafe Cubano, made fresh while you wait, with a bonus caffeine boost to finish the hike. I was welcomed by the most inviting swimming pool after hiking past cool streams and pools, waterfalls, listening to the many birds, especially the Cuban Tocororo, the national bird of Cuba, and finally crossing a footbridge.
Today I wanted to share just a hint of what Cuba has to offer. There is so much more to see and do in this Caribbean country. I hope to return to Cuba for a yoga retreat, a cooking class or two from the #1 chef in Cuba and to learn more of the rich culture of this beautiful country. You can read about Chef Alexis Alvarez Armas in this story.
His food is amazing and he works with local farmers to procure fresh, seasonal produce. He prepared 18 different dishes when I dined at his lovely home last year.
Well my dreams are far and wide about this trip and I leave you with a couple of links to read more about Cuba. The people welcome you with smiles and warmth, the food is downright delicious, the rum – YUM, cigars of course and music on every corner.
As I pass my time, remaining at home as much as possible, I long for my next adventure. Where oh where will it take me? I realize as of now Americans aren’t being allowed to venture away from the U.S. I understand this. I will wait, patiently and continue to reflect on past travels. How are you spending your days during this unprecedented time?
My recent trip to northern Italy left me with so many wonderful memories. Day Trippin’ Italy Part 2 is the follow up to Day Trippin’ Italy Part 1 where I wrote about day trips to Sirmione on Lake Garda and the sweet town of Bergamo. Today I ‘m recounting trips to Lake Como and Verona. The day of travel to Lake Como it was frigid and grey. Day trippin’ in Verona proved to be a better weather day and I really want to revisit the town of Romeo and Juliet fame.
Lake Como – Life Electric a contemporary sculpture, a gift from the architect Daniel Libeskind.
Traveling with my longest BFF who had never been to Italy was incredible for so many reasons. Watching her amazement around every corner of Italy delighted me. It felt like we were grounded in Italy, sharing morning cappuccinos with melt in your mouth, chocolate filled croissants and copious afternoons sipping Aperol Spritzes. The daily custom of cappuccino in the a.m. and apertivo in the p.m. is an easy one to fall into. OH! and the cost of a cappuccino and croissant a mere 3.60 euro. Can’t find a deal like that at Starbucks!
I was bummed that our day in Como proved to be downright chilly as well as grey and cloudy with strong winds. We never once let an imperfect day ruin our time in Italy. Truth is we had many more gorgeous weather days than we did inclement ones.
We arrived in Lake Como by train, taking about half an hour. A cool monument of hands met us at the bottom of the stairs after exiting the train station. “Monumento ai Caduti per Servizio”, a sculpture dedicated to disabled service people. It was the entrance to the main street in Como that took us past shops, cafes and office buildings to the lake. We ventured down to the lake for a view of the one and only Lake Como. FYI, regretfully there was no sign of George Clooney.
We walked the long dock to see the Life Electric sculpture on the lake hoping not to blow away. We agreed it might be a bit less windy if we ventured into town, so off we went. Enjoying the view of the lake, the beautiful park and a couple of Como mansions along the way.
When we headed out each day for Day Trip Italy we never had any concrete plans. We chose a city, hopped on a train and wandered with curiosity at what we might stumble upon. This could become my new way of travel! I’m sure some will say that we missed some important places, museums, sites, cafes, etc., but we consistently found a wonderful shop, eatery, bar or site to see.
The Roman Catholic cathedral of the City of Como, an omni-present feature of Lake Como’s skyline was our next stop. The Duomo di Como is powerful with it’s white marble facade and imposing dome and an equally elaborate interior. This cathedral is noted to be the last Gothic cathedral built in Italy and sitting adjacent to the town hall of Como, now used for conventions, art exhibitions and the like.
The glorious Duomo di ComoInside of Duomo di Como
After viewing the cathedral and wandering the streets we decided to stop for lunch. We chose Caffe Duomo and had one of our most memorable meals and of course wine. I ordered lasagna bolognese, the first time I’d had lasagna at a cafe. Previously I’d had lasagna in Navigli at a private home. Giampaolo’s lasagna @Dinner At Navigli House was remarkable and you can read about that part of my trip at the post titled “Doors of Milan, Italy” . Bolognese is one of my favorites and the succulent beef, smothered with tomato sauce and spices did not disappoint!
The lovely Caffe DuomoLasagna Bolognese at Caffe Duomo, Lake ComoI do not know why bears have the table with the best view!
After our delicious lunch we took a stroll along the lake to the funicular to be whisked up to the tiny town of Brunate. By now the wind was picking up and the temperatures were cold! Brunate looks down on Lake Como but on the day we visited the view was cloudy and grey. Still lovely and I am sure gorgeous on a clear, sunny day. We were able to take a quick look at the centuries old Sant’Andrea church before the rain began to fall. We popped open our umbrellas and hiked back to the funicular and headed down to the lake.
Wouldn’t it be cool to travel by funicular to go to and from your home?Lake Como as seen from Brunate.
With drizzle dampening our umbrellas and chilling us we popped into a corner cafe for apertivo and to warm up before heading back to San Giovani Station to catch our ride back to our apartment in Milan. Aperol Spritz was often my chosen beverage for apertivo but not always as I am a wine drinker and I was in Italy! My BFF never passed up an opportunity to order one. We should have kept count!
Aperol Spritz for apertivo on Lake Como.
Day Trippin’ Italy was definitely one of the best choices we made in our travel plans. We would discuss it over a glass of wine in our apartment the night before, check the weather and the train schedule. Some days we waited until we woke up and discussed it over coffee and then winged it. It worked out perfectly on every day trip we took. Did the weather always cooperate? Noooooo, but it never dampened our spirits or our trip!
The Verona Arena is a Roman Amphitheatre built in the First Century!
Verona, you know of this town. Home to the 16th century star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet. First stop coffee and food. We caught an early train to get to Verona and coffee was much-needed. It was a wonderful day to dine al fresco and we chose Olivo, a lovely cafe with an amazing view of the Piazza Bra and the Verona arena. It was here, at Olivo, that we first lunched on pizza. Now I wonder why we didn’t eat it more often.
Cappuccino at Olivo – VeronaView from Cafe Olivo – Verona, Italy
After a satisfying lunch we set off to see Juliet’s balcony, a tiny balcony looking over a small courtyard. It was nice that we were only sharing the space in Juliet’s courtyard with a handful of other sightseers. Romeo and Juliet, of the families Montague and Capulet, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare are a big tourist draw to Verona, but there is so much more. We played tourist for a while and also saw the Montague home where Romeo hung out when he wasn’t on Juliet’s balcony!
Juliet’s famed balcony – Verona, ItalyLove notes in Juliet’s courtyard.Romeo’s family home – Montague.
After playing tourist we set off with no destination in mind. Wandering the tiny, cobblestone streets past gelato shops, and the fashion houses of Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada, cafes and ancient apartment homes. I always wonder who lives behind those ancient doors. People like you and me. It is the intrigue of living in an ancient, romantic city like the jewel known as Verona.
The Verona Arena is one of the most well preserved Roman amphitheaters, built in the first century and still in use today. Sitting adjacent to Piazza Bra it is often a day tripper’s first stop. Sadly due to restrictions from COVID19 we were only able to view the arena from the outside. Another good reason to return to this beautiful town.
Verona Arena – a preserved Roman amphitheater.When in Rome…or Verona – Gelato per favore!
No Italian city or town seems to be missing a cathedral or two. Santa Maria Antica is around the corner from Romeo’s hangout, dating to 1185. A restoration at the end of the 19th century restored the original Romanesque interior. The present day church is the private chapel of the Scala family who built a family cemetery in the church courtyard. Cangrande an Italian nobleman, belonging to the della Scala family which ruled Verona from 1308 until 1387 is entombed right above the front door!
Chiesa di Santa Maria Antica, VeronaTomb of Cangrande above the entrance porch.
Meandering the streets of Verona I began to notice how many archways are in this town. Even the Ponte Pietra, the stone bridge over the River Adige has many arches. This bridge has spanned the river since 100BC and was most recently reconstructed in 1945 after the German’s destroyed it. Piazza Delle Erbe is lined with inviting cafes and gorgeous frescoed buildings.
Arches are numerous in the ancient city of Verona.Ponte Pietra a bridge over the River Adige.Torre de Lamberti – next time I will climb to the top for the views of the river and all of Verona.
Before discovering the Piazza Delle Erbe we ducked into one of my favorite stops for a glass of wine and apertivo. This my friends is why a day trip with no definite plans can be a wonderful thing! La Locanda, a tiny cafe and wine bar offered a quiet place to sit and ponder the beautiful city we were in. The waiter kindly offered to call a taxi for us but we had one more stop to make. Aperol Spritz were calling us to the Piazza!
La Laconda was one of my favorite finds in Verona!A glass of local wine – it doesn’t get any better than this!Happy? Why yes so very happy to be in Verona and to have found La Locanda.
The Pizza Delle Erbe was our last stop before hiring a car to take us back to the Porta Nuova train station. As we sipped our traditional Aperol Spritz and enjoyed a second apertivo the sun began to fade causing Verona to glow in the twilight. I will be back to Verona someday. I know it deserves more than a day trip to see all the beauty it holds.
The traditional of Aperol Spritz in a cafe on each day trip was always the perfect was to end the day and head back to the train station for a relaxing ride home to Milan.Elegant buildings with centuries old frescoes are captivating.
I’d rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff!
The credit for this Tomato Tart goes to Jose Andres. I’ve been following Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen, for quite some time now. He is not paying me to write this or share his recipe. But – hey, “Jose…..wanna collaborate?” In 2019 he published his latest cookbook titled “Vegetables Unleashed”. This recipe is from that book. If you are not familiar with this chef and humanitarian extraordinaire, read about him here. I dream of one day being able to work with his World Central Kitchen to feed those in need.
Summer begins June 20, 2020, at 5:44 p.m.EDT. Summer Solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere. This year there is also an Annular Solar Eclipse, beginning just before midnight. Sadly, the eclipse will not be visible from North America. It can be viewed from parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. I mention this because with the start of summer comes the seasonal bounty of fresh veggies and fruits. Tomatoes to be exact. You do know, tomatoes are considered fruit since they have seeds!
Jose likes to make this tart in September when the tomatoes are at their fullest flavor. I could not wait that long! I will be making this delicious tomato tart all summer long. The best reason to love this tart is that it can be served as a side dish, the main course, for breakfast, or eaten as a snack. Cooking the tomatoes separately in the oven beforehand concentrates the flavor and sweetness of the fruit.
I topped the tart with fresh herbs from my garden, rosemary, basil, oregano and thyme. Maldon salt is my favorite, flaky salt and tossing a bit on top of the cooked tart is perfection! I am so happy that Jose uses Maldon salt too! Great minds…….Enjoy!
Tomato Tart
Author: Jose Andres
Ingredients
2 tablespoons sugar2 teaspoons kosher salt1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil2 garlic cloves, smashed1 large sprig thyme1/2 teaspoon sherry vinegar, or substitute white wine or champagne vinegarFreshly ground black pepper6 medium tomatoes, about 4 pounds, blanched and peeledOne package frozen puff pastry, thawed but still cold1 egg, beaten for egg washExtra-virgin olive oil for brushingFresh herbs such as thyme, basil, rosemary, parsley for garnishMaldon Salt
Instructions
Blanching and peeling tomatoes:
Bring a pot of water to a boil.
Using a sharp knife, score the round bottoms of the tomatoes.
Boil tomatoes for 30 seconds, then remove and immediately transfer them to an ice bath.
Bt the time the tomatoes cool, the skins should peel off easily.
Arrange the tomatoes on a plate and let them air dry in the fridge for at least one hour.
To make the tart:
Combine the sugar, kosher salt, olive oil, garlic, thyme, vinegar and pepper in a large bowl and stir to dissolve the sugar and salt.
Add the tomatoes and turn gently to coat.
Let marinate at room temperature for 45 minutes.
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375*F.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove the tomatoes from the marinade (reserve marinade) and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices.
Arrange the tomato slices in overlapping rows on the lined baking sheet, 6-8 slices to a row.
Drizzle a little of the marinade on top of the tomatoes and bake until they are roasted and start to get a little color, about 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool.
While the tomatoes are roasting, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan, bring to a simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
Let cool.
On a floured work surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 9 x 13 inch rectangle, 1/8 to 1/16 inch thick.
Prick the dough all over with a fork.
Brush the dough with egg wash and arrange the tomatoes on top in overlapping layers, leaving about a 3/4 inch border all around.
Lightly brush the tomatoes with a little olive oil and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.
Remove the tart from the oven and brush the tomatoes lightly with the reduced marinade.
Drizzle with olive oil and finish with fresh herbs and a sprinkling of Maldon salt.
Strawberry season isn’t over in North Carolina, yet. It is nearing the end quickly, sadly. Strawberry season lasts for a short period of time and I love to go to the farms and gather or buy already picked fresh berries. The deal is, once you get them home they don’t last long. A couple of weekends ago I bought a flat of strawberries, picked that morning from the farm of a friend.
Once they are carried into the kitchen the first thing I do is grab a handful, rinse them and enjoy them still warm from the sun. After that it becomes a race to use all the berries in one way or another before they start to go bad. So many ways to delight in fresh picked strawberries. Cakes, pies, smoothies, jams, cobblers, salads, the list goes on and on.
This go round I made a mixed berry cobbler as it seemed my refrigerator was overflowing with fresh blueberries, blackberries and raspberries too. I used the fresh strawberries, raspberries and blackberries this time. The other reason I chose a cobbler is that Southern Living had one on the cover of the May issue and I could not stop drooling over it. I altered the recipe by exchanging strawberries for blueberries. This recipe uses a small amount of sugar and for me that is another good thing!
This cobbler is made with one crust, the lattice on top. Actually, I am a fan of a double crust cobbler like this Peachy Keen Cobbler. The peach cobbler would also work well with mixed berries or as a single berry cobbler. Serving cobbler warm out of the oven is my favorite way to present it. With or without a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Which do you prefer?
Day Trippin’ in Italy was one of my favorite ways to visit some of the smaller cities near Milan. I thoroughly enjoyed Milan and would definitely stay there again as a home base. There are numerous small cities, towns and lakes a little over an hour by train from Milano Centrale. Day trippin’ in different cities in northern Italy proved to be a valuable lesson in navigating my way through Italy.
Milano Centrale
This trip, my first time for international travel with a girlfriend offered many opportunities to prove to myself that I can travel as the Europeans do. Learning to read the bus schedule to reach the metro station of choice and deciphering the train system were actually simple after the first couple of days. I felt so accomplished every time I took us to a new destination and now have the confidence to travel solo. Independent travel greatly interests me and I look forward to my first trip alone. Where shall I go? Leave me a comment below if you have a fabulous suggestion or can offer me advice!
Day trippin’ #1. My traveling companion and I took our first day trip to Lake Garda, 118K from Milan, or 73 miles. Travel time by train approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes. We chose the town of Sirmione positioned on a peninsula on the southern bank of Lake Garda. This picturesque town is pedestrian friendly with cobblestone paths, narrow streets and plentiful views of Lake Garda. Sirmione, considered one of Europe’s most important thermal centers offers many options for taking the healing waters. We actually decided to stay the night and make it a double day trip!
Sirmione on Lake Garda, Italy
We arrived by rail at Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione station and hopped into our hired Mercedes-Benz for the scenic ride to the peninsula and our final destination of Hotel Olivi with beautiful views of the lake. Hotel Olivi offers understated glamour with cordial, excellent service. The lobby is inviting with a neutral color scheme accented by the soothing colors of the water. A small bar, beautiful restaurant and entrance to the spa are all located off of the main lobby.
Hotel Olivi SirmioneThe inviting lobby of Hotel Olivi.Sunroom at Hotel Olivi
After settling into our room with a lake view, we set off to explore Sirmione. This tiny town provides plenty of cafes, gelato shops, boutiques, food and wine establishments, history and gorgeous views of Lake Garda. We easily spent our days winding through the narrow streets and alleys and enjoying the relaxing vibe with ever present views of the water and mountains in the background.
View from the shores of Lake GardaNarrow alleys and cobblestone streets award Sirmione an abundance of charm.
Since this visit to Italy coincided with COVID19 and the ensuing restrictions we were not able to visit inside Scaliger Castle, a 13th century castle, and rare example of medieval fortification. Next time….We were able to venture inside the oldest and most impressive of the churches in Sirmione, the church of San Pietro in Mavino, built in the 8th-century, and renovated in the 14th-century.
The medieval Scaliger Castle.Built in the 8th century Church of San Pietro in Mavino offers frescoes from the 12th-16th century.Inside the Church of San Pietro in Mavino reside frescoes dating from the 12th- 16th centuries.
Sirmione is at the top of my list of favorite places I have visited in Italy. There is so much more I could share with you but it is time to move on to our next Day Trippin’ destination of Bergamo. Widely acclaimed as a city of rare beauty, Bergamo is famous for it’s wealth of artistic treasures and enchanting medieval atmosphere. The decision to visit Bergamo was made at the last minute and we were only able to spend a few hours there. We laughed that we could say we traveled there “just for lunch”!
We headed to Milano Centrale once again to catch the train for a ride of less than an hour to Bergamo. One very important thing to remember when traveling by train in Europe is to “stamp” your tickets before boarding the train. I hear the fines can be expensive and I suppose embarrassing. There are signs at the ticket windows when purchasing to remind us to validate!! Off we go to Bergamo!
Always remember to validate your ticket before boarding the train to avoid fines and embarrassment !
Split into two sections: alto (the old town atop a hill) and basso (the newer town inhabiting the plains below) comprises the beautiful city of Bergamo. We hired a car to take us to the old town since our time was limited, however there is a funicular to whisk you to the top as well. Upon exiting the taxi and strolling into Piazza Vecchia we were immediately met with the feel of a medieval town; grand arched columns, a 12th century bell tower, and Renaissance-era buildings.
Piazza Vecchio in Bergamo, ItalySanta Maria Maggiore, Founded in 1137
It was a cloudy, dreary day weather wise yet we never let the weather dampen our spirits. It does however make getting gorgeous photos a challenge. This remarkable church which offers two entrances was closed due to Corona virus but judging by the external Lombard Romanesque features fused with Gothic, I suppose we missed quite a spectacular interior. The porch, a room or gallery placed in front of the main facade that forms a low front, is supported by columns rising from lions in Veronese marble.
Porch of Santa Maria MaggioreVeronese Marble Lions dated 1353
Strolling through the old town brought on hunger pangs and we couldn’t have been happier with the restaurant we chose. The board outside advertising polenta with fresh local cheese and porcini mushrooms invited us in to Bar Botticelli. A cheerful, cozy cafe with mustard yellow walls set off by black and white tile floors, bar and ancient brick arches.
Bar BotticelliPolenta, porcini, cheese and butter – a local speciality.
Offerings of local wine and specialities of the region satisfied our empty tummies and we were off to explore a bit more of Bergamo before heading back to our home base, Milan. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Bergamo is hilly with views across Lombardy. We missed many of the sites in Bergamo, such as walking the city walls, riding to the top of the Tower of the Campanone or visiting the museums due to time restraints and closure of museums – thank you COVID19.
Narrow cobblestone streets of Bergamo.In Piazza Vecchia your eye is immediately drawn to the white marble Contarini fountain.
When travel is again available for Americans to visit Italy, Bergamo is on my list of places to revisit as there is so much more to explore. I found Bergamo to be one of Italy’s most charming cities.
Colorful home in Bergamo – are those chimneys or bird houses on top? I do not know!This home captivated me – so quaint and it had lovely views of the new town below.Lions crouch around town, a reminder that Bergamo was a stronghold for the powerful Venetian republic which ruled for more than 300 years.
What countries will you venture to when travel opens up? Italy, Portugal and Spain, Chile and Argentina and Turkey are all on my list. Both Sirmione and Bergamo will be on my itinerary for more than a day trip when I next visit Italy. Day Trippin’ Part 2 will be up on the blog soon. I’ll share my stories about our visits to Lake Como and Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet. I am also working on a Day Trippin’ video that I hope to be able to present to you. If not on the blog on my Orange Bee FB page.
I recently returned, March 9, from a fabulous trip to Italy. I was fortunate to depart as Italy went into strict lock down due to COVID 19. Or was I? There are days when it feels safer to be home but there are days when I wish I would have been “stuck” in Italy. Crazy right? Here is what I miss, cappuccino and croissant for breakfast, riding the metro, Aperol spritz cocktails for aperitivo, seeing ancient architecture daily, train travel, Italian wine enjoyed in a cafe while listening to American music (played everywhere), walking countless miles a day, pasta and of course there is more I miss.
Coliseum in Verona, Italy
Dining on Spaghetti al Limone really brought back memories of my recent trip. Eating fresh made pasta while in Italy spoiled me and I have declared that I will no longer buy dry pasta at the grocery store. So what is a girl to do? I could make the pasta myself or I could make a trip to my local Italian deli, Giacomo’s and pick up his fresh made pasta. I chose Giacomo’s!
The recipe for Spaghetti al Limone is super simple and versatile too. The basic version is delicious on it’s own with only the flavors of bright citrus and garlic coating the al dente pasta. For this recipe I added flakes of grilled salmon and chunks of bacon, because bacon makes everything delish – yes? Adding the fish and bacon heightens the heartiness of the dish. Be sure to cook your pasta to al dente regardless of what type of pasta you choose, fresh or dry. I imagine these are ingredients you may already have on hand making it a snap to prepare. Leave me a comment after you try Spaghetti al Limone and be sure to share any additions or changes you make. I’m seeing many meals of fresh pasta in my future and am hopeful for the day I can enjoy them in Italy again!
I’ll leave you with a few photos of pasta I enjoyed in Italy. Buon appetito!
For a full selection of Italian meats, cheese, anti-pasta, salads and desserts visit Giacomo’s website or the brick and mortar location in Greensboro. Giacomo’s also sells a selection of fresh made pasta, bread, sausages and to go meals. I picked up some spaghetti, bucatini, fresh bread and a selection of marinated veggies to enjoy on another night as anti-pasti.
Venice The City of Love, yes I fell in love. My recent trip to Italy included many firsts, but my visit to Venice was not a first. Did I fall in love, yes I did all over again. Arriving by train at St. Lucia station we quickly found our way to the vaporetto station down a large flight of stairs facing the grand canal. We purchased our tickets and boarded the public water taxi for Venice center.
View of Grand Canal from St. Lucia Station
The first and last time I visited Venice was in the early 70’s! It has not changed. The one thing that was different this time is that on day one it rained all day. We were prepared and had umbrellas to keep us dry, not an ideal situation. On day two we awoke to sunshine and we were thrilled. Turned out to be partly cloudy but a bit of blue sky and sunshine gives a whole new look to Venice the city of love.
St. Marks Square
For our overnight to Venice we splurged and lived like royalty in the Presidential Suite at the Ai Reali – a boutique hotel tucked away in a small piazza. Quintessential luxury served with a complimentary bottle of Prosecco as a welcome! Ai Reali is a completely refurbished palace that dates back to the 17th century. Gorgeous Murano chandeliers and wall scones, immaculate antique furniture, impeccable service, all await anyone staying.
Luxury Boutique Hotel Ai RealiLiving quarters at Ai RealiDining area at Ai RealiMurano SconceBedroom fit for royalty at Ai Reali VeniceBeautiful bathroom at Ai Reali and today with the tp shortage due to COVID19 the bidet looks like a pretty smart idea!
As I mentioned it poured down rain on day one but we found a fantastic little restaurant on a tiny street while exploring the city and ducked in out of the rain. Marco Polo did not disappoint. We were the only diners, as the city was fairly quiet due to the coronavirus outbreak. The service was warm and friendly. The wine selection was amazing and the food was delicious. We stayed quite a while to escape the cold, grey, rainy day and enjoyed the American music selection playing.
Warm and cozy, Marco Polo was a welcome respite from the rain in Venice.
Wandering and getting lost is a very important part of visiting Venice the city of love. Finding yourself at a dead end or a tiny piazza can be an unexpected pleasure. You know I found many doors and a few interesting windows to photograph as we meandered the city in the rain.
Wandering the streets of VeniceDoor of VeniceAn unexpected dead end but how colorful!
After we tired of the rain we went back to the palace -I mean, our hotel and relaxed for a while. We decided to go back out to see St. Mark’s Square at night. We wandered the streets for a while and the rain came down harder and harder. We ducked into a pub for one cocktail and then headed to St. Mark’s. We discovered a flooded square! It turns out that when it rains and the tide comes in from the lagoon, flooding is a very common happenstance. Venice has risers in place in the most easily flooded areas yet we found ourselves on the opposite end of the square and walked through ankle-deep water to arrive at the risers. Fortunately we had water -proof boots and survived the flood! We laughed quite a bit and headed back to Ai Reali for wine in the bar.
Venice in the rainSt. Mark’s Square at night – flooded!Gondolas at night
I am sure the rain prevented us from seeing as much of Venice as we would have liked, yet we thoroughly loved the capital of Italy’s Veneto region. Strolling through the city with no real streets, only canals, we passed by many Renaissance and Gothic palaces. The central square, Piazza San Marco, home of the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile bell tower was not crowded on day one, thanks to the rain!
St. Marks – a photo does not do it justice.Canal sightsHow old is this door?
We went on a traditional gondola ride – truthfully I was not impressed. This was the one mistake we made, deciding too quickly to go with the first gondolier that approached us. Live and learn. Venice offers shopping galore. It seems all cities offer more than enough shopping, one thing I honestly wish there was less of. Due to our time restraints, COVID19 and the weather we didn’t visit any museums and weren’t able to visit inside any of the exquisite palaces.
Interesting window in VeniceDoors of VeniceDoors of Venice
We were able to stop at the Gritti Palace for cocktails overlooking the grand canal before we headed back to the train station to return to Milan. Opulent and gorgeous, dating to 1475 the noble palace retains it’s exceptional art and elegance. We ended our time in Venice Dolce-Vita style relaxing on the deck at Riva, with chilled glasses of chardonnay, taking in the beauty of the Venice’s grand canal.
Riva bar @ Gritti PalaceView from Riva @ Gritti PalaceInside the Palace Bar
View down the canal from Riva bar @ Gritti Palace
Venice is a true masterpiece of elegance, beauty and exquisite architecture around every corner. With so much to see and do Venice City of Love will beckon you back time and again.
The Doors of Milan, Italy are as interesting and beautiful as any I’ve seen in my travels. In fact I shot so many photos I’ll never be able to share them all with you, so I will choose the ones I find most captivating. The ones that truly cause me to stop in my tracks, take a photo and then wonder who lives or has lived there. What colors are inside this home, pets, children, what’s happening in the kitchen? Are the rooms large or small? Is it neat as a pin or messy? SO many questions!
This door was so different than many of the ancient doors of Milan. Security needed here at #55!
Milan is one big city and my Bff and I traveled around like the locals on buses and the metro. Super easy and relaxing. I’m finding it difficult to get in my Suburban and drive to a yoga class or to the supermarket after being whisked around by public transport for so many days. I quickly figured out the system and we were deposited right in the area or neighborhood we chose to explore daily. We almost had the entire metro memorized stop by stop. Every neighborhood we visited was different than the next and the doors grabbed my attention in each one.
Notice the smaller door within a door? This is seen on most doors in the Navigli area.
In the Navigli area I saw many doors within a door. Unless you are super short you will duck to get in! I had to duck every time we went through one as we visited a few courtyards in this area of canals with a wealth of history. The canals of Navigli marked by two canals, Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese, are not only beautiful but functional. They were constructed to transport cargo from the nearby lakes. One of the most important products transported on Navigli canals was the precious marble from Candoglia, which was used to construct Milan’s cathedral, the Duomo.
Another door within a door in Navigli.
Construction began in 1179 on the oldest canal, the Ticinello and a number of other canals quickly followed. Construction was completed in the 16th century. Word has it that Leonardo Da Vinci played a part in the construction of these canals, making Milan one of Italy’s largest inland ports. Now pedestrian friendly streets offer lovely strolls through the canal area. The streets are lined with trendy bars, restaurants and art galleries. We spent quite a bit of time in Navigli sharing cocktails, meals and cappuccinos.
Loved this door on the Navigli Grande.One more door within a door, Navigli.
One interesting fact that was pointed out to us during a tour of Navigli is that many, many buildings in Milan are painted a yellow-brown color, along with grey and beige. Our very informative and multi-lingual tour guide, Elena clued us in that this is the color of Milan. If you are interested in a walking tour of Navigli you can reach Elena here: elenagemelli@gmail.com
Elena and her husband, the Roman chef, Giampaolo, offer a fantastic evening of food, wine and friends in their lovely home in Navigli. It is at the top of our list of “most enjoyed” experiences while in Milan. You can find the experience at Dinner With Friends At A Navigli House . Giampaolo prepares a full Italian meal complete with champagne and wine pairings, served around a cozy dinner table. We were fortunate enough to share our meal with a fantastic family from the Netherlands, a Latin American living in Milan and of course Elena and Giampaolo. Don’t miss the opportunity to dine in Navigli House!
Back to doors, in the following door photos you will notice small slivers of yellow on the stucco surrounding the door.
Yellow – the color choice of Milan.Yellow surrounds this ancient door.Here is a combination of yellow and pale sienna.Combo of Milan yellow and grey.
Milano is known as the economic center of Italy. Many headquarters of the financial industry are found in Milan. The fashion industry thrives in Milan and it shows. Well dressed Milanese are seen all over the city. I read so many queries regarding how Americans should dress while in Italy so as not to stand out. Maybe impossible – I say dress as yourself, be yourself and be comfortable. This was our method and we never once felt out of place or pegged as stupid American tourists. This being said I want you to take a look at some of these doors of Milan, Italy where I am sure fashionistas hang their hats.
Captivating doors – larger than life.This apartment building certainly has an impressive entrance.Beautiful door leading to…. don’t you want to know?
I have many more doors to show you from some of our day trips – but that’s for later. I leave you with a few more interesting doors and a couple of windows that I couldn’t resist pausing for. Ahhhhh…. Italy still in a serious lockdown and America following suit. Better times are ahead and I am thankful for this holiday in Italy!
Lovely doorsThese doors are a bit different from the rest – a modern touch.Love the orange color surrounding these doors.This door leads to something very important in the Duomo – so what IS behind this door?Beauty in windows too and check out the signage! Texans living in Milano??
COVID19 is here NOW! This is a critical time for our local businesses. If you know me you now my focus is food. The food service industry not only in downtown GSO but all over our community is and will continue to suffer until we are all cleared to go back to normal.
Please consider ordering for curbside, home delivery or pick up from this list of local food service businesses. Another way to help is to purchase a gift card now and when all of this is over go out on the town and enjoy. We all need to eat during these trying times and above all we need to support our local businesses.
I apologize for not the best quality photos here – most I took from FB posts because I want to get the word out!
I am sure there are restaurants, bars, etc… that I didn’t list here as I don’t know about their openings, closing or curbside service. If you are one – forgive me, reach out to me and I’ll happily link you up! Kick COVID 19 in the ass – support local – and GO!
Crazy times – traveling in Italy during the COVID19 outbreak. Little did I know when I posted about traveling to Italy that the adventure would be as full of craziness as it was. My BFF and I arrived in the beautiful city of Milan on Saturday the 22 of February. On Sunday the 23rd COVID19 hit the news and placed a halt on museums, gyms, sporting events and schools in the Lombardy region. Before I continue I want to say this virus did not dampen our time or ruin our holiday in Italy!
Gritti Palace Riva Bar – Venice
The truth of the matter is we only missed one event that we had purchased tickets for, DaVinci’s “Last Supper”. We had one other tour cancelled but were able to replace it with a fab private food tour of the Brera area of Milan.
Brera – Milan
At this time my heart is breaking for friends I have in Milan, Bra and the Cinque Terre areas. Lockdown for them is real and it is not good. No work for many is devastating – how do we pay rent, insurance premiums, phone bills, without work?
I fear the same could happen here in the U.S. as well. Already there are many closures of schools, sporting events, theaters, museums, etc.. Apparently none of the local grocery stores or big box stores have any paper products remaining. I have chosen to self quarantine for the recommended 14 days, even though I was not advised by the airlines or anyone upon my arrival back in the U.S. When I inquired with my primary care physician I was told to contact my county heath department. I spoke to two different nurses there and both said, “if you are not showing symptoms we won’t test you”. They also told me that I was not required to quarantine myself, but I do not want to be “that person” so I choose to.
Sunset at Duomo Piazza – Milan
I am grateful to be able to stay home and work on editing my 1000+ photos from my most recent trip. I am also planning a trip to Italy for 2021 with the same friend. We are great traveling partners! However, being out of work for these 14 days presents it’s own challenges I will do as I always do and make the best of it!
Bergamo, Italy
Here is a general synopsis of how we made our way traveling in Italy during the COVID19 outbreak. I will be writing more specific posts on the places we visited soon. First of all we based ourselves out of Milan. We chose a spacious apartment a little out of the city center. Learning to traverse the city like a local was so much fun. I quickly learned the bus and metro system as well as many trips to Milano Centrale to take trains for our day trips. We really felt like locals by getting around the city this way. I am pretty sure we never really passed as locals but who cares – it was a memorable part of our trip.
Sunset from my bedroom window in Milan
From Milano we did two overnight trips. First, to Lake Garda and the tiny town of Sirmione, known for it’s healing thermal waters. Taking the waters at Hotel Olivi was definitely at the top of “best” adventures. A few days later we took a train to Venice and stayed in a hotel, formerly a palace dating back to the 17th century. WOW is all I can say! Ai Reali di Venezia – Take a peek here.
Sirmione – Lake Garda, Italy
Canal side of Al Reali Hotel – Venice
We chose several day trips to various towns all about an hour from the central train station in Milan. We visited, Lake Como, Verona, Bergamo, and Lake Lugano in Switzerland! The beauty of train travel in Europe! I will share the highlights of all of these places as each offers an adventure of it’s own. I’ll also do a post on the doors of Italy as you might imagine there were many beautiful doors to photograph! Oh, and the food! So much delicious food and coffee!
Daily cup of cappuccino
Before I end this story I want to share with you how our departure went. We were scheduled to depart from Milan Malpensa around 9 on Monday morning. The day before we went online and received our boarding passes. We felt like we were safe to come home. We left the apartment and headed to one of our favorite areas, Brera, for lunch. Around 4 pm we received email notices that our flight was cancelled.
The restaurant owner immediately noticed the distress we were feeling and suggested we reroute through another country. I quickly called United Airlines and asked to be rerouted through another country and on into the U.S. I must give kudos to United as we were easily and without charge flown to Munich, Germany on Lufthansa. From there we boarded a United flight bound for Washington Dulles. From Dulles we flew to our respective homes of Texas and North Carolina.
We were not tested or questioned in Milan before boarding the flight to Munich. In Munich we went through 5 passport check points. We also passed through customs here and were happy to get passport stamps! At the last checkpoint we were questioned if we had been to China or Iran. “No”. We were told to have a nice day and sent on to board the flight. Upon arrival in Dulles we went through U.S. customs without any testing or questions. Neither of us were queried or tested before boarding our flights home. The whole process was easy for us but I question why we were never tested for fever or asked where we had been, etc….I’ll let you form your opinions and would love to hear your comments!
