Italy : Eat was a good time

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, they ate again until they could not breathe.

We have this joke where neither of us can remember what it is like to be hungry, a myth amongst the world. Italy is keeping our bellies full and our feet walking. We made our way from Chianti to Verona stopping for lunch at Modena where we forgot it was a Sunday and the small town was a ghost town. We managed to find a few places open and read up on the town. Modena thrives on the production of balsamic vinegar as it can only be made there. For some reason, the climate is perfect for it and can’t be replicated anywhere else. Some of the bottles of vinegar are 40 years old and cost over €100, but the taste is amazing, thick and sweet, it is even popular to use on fruit and as an ice cream topping.

After our little tourist stop aka food stop, we made it to Verona mid-afternoon where we checked into our hotel. Driving can be so exhausted so we took a sneaky nap before wandering out to explore. Neither of us knew much about the town which made what we found even more of an unexpected surprise. I picked Verona to stay at as I wanted to visit the Juliet wall, so we only planned to stay two nights. The city is absolutely beautiful, it is still touristy but not too busy. The streets are colourfull and romantic at night with the many squares lined with restaurants and bars. We found this amazing pizza place that sold squares of ut and you paid by weight. As the sun went down we sat there in the square with fairy lights and our pizza and smiles on our faces.

Once again we had only one day in the city which left little time to rest so we were up and about with google maps in one hand, a coffee in the other and a pastry in our mouths, we had this whole Italian breakfast down to a science.

Verona has beautiful little attractions such as their arena which is a mini colosseum and is used for concerts and performances today. We also had a walk around the ruins and the archaeology museum where you are able to see amazing views looking over the city.

Of course, we also visited Juliet’s balcony where the walls are covered in notes and writing, even locks and pictures. It was really something to see, this fictional character and story had such an impact not only on people but the city which has claimed it as their own. We were lucky enough that they were performing the play that night in English. The play was a walking play so on arrival there were drinks then the first act took place at the balcony, then we walked to the roof where the next part was, then to one of the towns squares and finished at the theatre. The narrators, one speaking English, the other Italian, were absolutely brilliant. I would highly recommend this play and would go see it again myself. We had such a beautiful time that night and really pushed Verona to one of my favourite places.

The next day we were on the road again, for the final time, to Venice, the shorter of the drives too, we had to have the car back by 10am which was a pain but we did it. When we dropped it off the guy took one lap around the car, then asked if we drove it from Naples, he was laughing and honestly, I think he was a bit impressed that there wasn’t any major damage and signed off on it.

We caught our water taxi to Venice, Michael was very intrigued that Venice was built on water, this being my second time to Venice I knew what to expect, Michael was curious and blown away there were no cars, the whole time googling how Venice was actually built.

We had three nights in Venice, staying at the same hotel as I did last time. The location is great, right near Rialto bridge and near lots of shops but easy enough to escape the major touristy spots and wander off into different areas.

Venice is a lovely city to wander and walk for hours, getting lost in the little streets and crossing over all the little bridges. We spent our first day walking around as we do and then took a ferry out to Murano to see all the glass making. We watched a demonstration then did some shopping.

The weather was hot, yet with all the water surrounding Venice, you can’t swim in it which is very annoying, so cold showers become your new best friend.

(Yes we did a Venice photoshoot)

Our second day in Venice we booked a walking tour around as we were both interested in the history of the town. The walking tour was great and gave us an insight into the history of the city, the people and traditions. The tour ended at the city’s hospital which was once a high society social club for Saint Mark. Inside was absolutely gorgeous and looked like a palace rather than an entrance to a hospital.

(The roof of the hospital )

On the upper floor, they had a museum for old medical practice and instruments. We went inside and the layout of the museum was perfect. Set up in rows, the lovely medical visuals and instruments, and on the other side where all beautiful glass sculptures made in Venice, Michael looked one way and I looked at the pretty glass.

I still think Michaels favourite sight in Venice was discovering water ambulances.

The worst part about Venice is packing your bags, trying to fit delicate glass inside is not ideal.

Venice is another beautiful city which I would love to return to again one day, my only hope is that tourism doesn’t take over the island. On our walking tour, our guide said that these days there are more tourists in the city than locals at any given time. I hope it keeps its traditions and authentic Italian lifestyle, I don’t want to visit an amusement park, I want to visit Venice.