From Italy with Love

A 18-day adventure by Tricia & Steven Read more

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Trip start
August 25, 2022
From Italy with Love
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Day 1
Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 5:05 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 889 ft
United States Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport 44.882553, -93.21173144°52’57” N 93°12’42” W
Bar one or bar none?
August 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Nervous excitement as we start our journey to Munich and then on to Italy 🇮🇹. May the travel gods grant us zero pickpocketers, wonderful hikes and weather, cold beer and memories to last us until we do it all again. Cheers. Time to get high over the pond!Read more
TravelerYea!! Looking great ❣️
8/25/22Reply
Oh my. You are in your way. Arrivederci!!! [Pat.]
8/25/22Reply
TravelerSafe and sound travels and enjoy!
8/25/22Reply
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Day 2
Friday, August 26, 2022 at 10:47 AM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 26 ft
Netherlands Amsterdam Airport Schiphol 52.309597, 4.76506752°18’35” N 4°45’54” E
1 2
Muinch in the beir garden
August 26, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Made it to Munich via Amsterdam! Overnight flights can be brutal but we are on the rally train. Made it to “bar two” in the beir garden. What a beautiful city!
Traveler Ahh, coffee ❣️❣️❣️
8/26/22Reply
TravelerAnd food?
8/26/22Reply
TravelerBack to the homeland !!!!
8/26/22Reply
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Day 3
Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 9:04 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 1,736 ft
Germany Mary's Square 48.137711, 11.57957248°8’16” N 11°34’46” E
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Munich by train bus bike and by foot!
August 27, 2022 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Saturday in Munich did not disappoint! Started with THE most wonderful breakfast, we could’ve stayed and stayed!
So many sights, a real melting pot of so many cultures, food and language-such a vibrant city. We visited Dachau with an outstanding guide (rivaled Richard from London), unreal to be standing where thousands have suffered. Truly a time solemn reflection.
Then on to biking our way to and through the English Gardens in Munich - to say Munich is a bike friendly city is quite the understatement.
Now we are enjoying a lovely evening with dinner and the off to Hofbrau to dance on the tables…Read more
Traveler Is this pure honey comb you’re eating?
8/27/22Reply
TravelerYes sir
8/27/22Reply
TravelerI neeeed it
8/27/22Reply
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Day 3
Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 8:26 PM
🌧 64 °F
Altitude: 1,742 ft
Germany Bavarian State Opera 48.139331, 11.58100548°8’22” N 11°34’52” E
What the H is this? ;)
August 27, 2022 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 64 °F
Okay, time to play what the H is this. Hint: Kyle couldn't pronounce this as a kid so made up his own version of the name. Where would u see this?
TravelerIts a “cor-de-lene” bus ❤️. He loved that bus and if he had a glow stick he could make his uvula glow too 🤩
8/27/22Reply
Traveler🤣
8/27/22Reply
TravelerOne sight not to miss is my urologists office and the nurse who made me walk naked across the room and was a suspected Nazi doctor by injecting me with what she called contrast dye. Mary said I had an unusual glow afterward! After a couple of liters of beer, it seemed to go away only to be replaced by a different glow.
8/27/22Reply
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Day 3
Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 9:00 PM
🌧 64 °F
Altitude: 1,719 ft
Germany Mary's Square 48.137547, 11.57989548°8’15” N 11°34’48” E
Ein kleines Bier und ein großes Bier
August 27, 2022 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 64 °F
A trip to Munich would not be complete without a beer (or two) at the Hofbrau Haus, conveniently located NEXT DOOR to hotel! Cold brew and Bavarian pretzels 🥨 for the win!
TravelerStupendo !
8/28/22Reply
TravelerToo much fun 🤩😍🤩😍🤩
8/28/22Reply
Travelerwhen we were at Haufbrau House, we wondered if the band would play Roll Out the barrel. The thought was barely out our mouths, when they played it! Great Fun!
8/28/22Reply
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Day 4
Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 1:58 PM
🌧 61 °F
Altitude: 3,268 ft
Germany Hohenschwangau 47.555038, 10.74932247°33’18” N 10°44’58” E
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Schloss Neuschwanstein
August 28, 2022 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 61 °F
Took a day trip from Munich to Fussen today to see King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle.
It was another day of multiple transfers. Walk, train, bus, bus, walk. Then repeat. 12,000 steps already. Transportation chewed up a lot of time. The tour is surprisingly short and The views are obv amazing. The bridge spanning the river above the castle has floor boards that have more give than u want lol.

We’re on the train back to Munich for our last night- heading out early tomorrow by bus to Bolzano to pick up our teeny tiny car and begin our Italian adventure! Stay tuned 💟Read more
TravelerGorgeous pictures 🤩
8/28/22Reply
Traveler Simply breathtaking!! It looks like you’re having an amazing time!
8/28/22Reply
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Day 4
Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 3:39 PM
🌧 64 °F
Altitude: 2,612 ft
Germany Jagd Berg 47.628575, 10.60260447°37’43” N 10°36’9” E
Fussin' in Fussen
August 28, 2022 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 64 °F
More beer, sightseeing and snapping photos. A day of traveling. Spend the money and rent a car. u can mountain bike to the castle from Fussen too. Bravo to Bavaria!
Traveler🤩
8/28/22Reply
TravelerDid you see Cinderella?
8/29/22Reply
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Day 5
Monday, August 29, 2022 at 9:16 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 1,539 ft
Germany Kiefersfelden 47.613568, 12.20184647°36’49” N 12°12’7” E
Italy bound!
August 29, 2022 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Just when started to know the basics in the German language...we are off to Italy. magnifico!!! I did a crash course in German beer every evening. Man...is it good. Not a lot...but a good sample. Even Tricia was having a few. She enjoyed the Radlers...lemon in particular. We were always surprised at how many smoke and vape... maybe we just are not around throngs of people. Dinner last nite was the best and most authentic of the three dinners we had. Sauerbraten and Roulade. Say both in your best German accent. Deep and guteral. In our sector of Munich the beautiful people were out in force! One interesting fact...I've bumped into Tricia at least 100 times. ;)Read more
TravelerMom so candid…
8/29/22Reply
TravelerHD pics...
8/29/22Reply
TravelerAuf wiesersehen Deutschland und buon giornata Italia!! 🇩🇪🇮🇹
8/29/22Reply
TravelerShe does look like a cute fraulein. Now practice waving your arms when you speak to Italians.
8/29/22Reply
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Day 5
Monday, August 29, 2022 at 8:38 PM
🌧 61 °F
Altitude: 3,917 ft
Italy Cortina d'Ampezzo 46.534509, 12.140546°32’4” N 12°8’26” E
Wow. wow. wow!
August 29, 2022 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 61 °F
these are exact words uttered from a an Italian visitor rookie. Italy day one has not disappointed. It's fun seeing Tricia take it all in and for me it's been fun in sharing and high fiving together. We had a great start w breakfast buffet that takes such of every detail. the presentation. the taste. wow! the bus ride was slick and left right on time. We were dropped at a non descript stop. Then the adventure began. We thought taxis would be nearby. Nope. Uber not allowed in bolzano. called the taxi company. no one showed. Now what? We ended up walking w all our stuff to a hotel and the front desk called the taxi. We were hot and getting behind schedule. Luckily Hertz said it was closed but a gentleman helped us but for extra $$ because he was supposed to be on break. $25 extra. We upgraded from extra small to small. Then off to Cortina. Wow! The drive went from Beautiful to off the charts beauty. We could see the dolomites off in the distance. Then Tricia said....wait, we are going there? We turned and headed straight for them and she said..in a deep gasp.. Wow! More on the scare we gave the hotel...funny! Off to a morning hike. Lake Soropis. Then maybe up on a gondola to the top w a stop at the north face store to return a $350 rain jacket for Tricia...more on that later. Ha and no we are not driving the Land Rover. see pic. lol 2026 Olympics are here. I'm in!Read more
TravelerThat rink looks familiar ;)
8/30/22Reply
TravelerBreathtaking. The view from your balcony! I was wondering about the Olympics... 2026. Enjoy!
8/30/22Reply
TravelerWe’re staying until opening of the games!
8/30/22Reply
Traveler😆😆❣️❣️❣️
8/30/22Reply
TravelerSo much beauty❣️❣️❣️
8/30/22Reply
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Day 5
Monday, August 29, 2022 at 11:11 PM
⛅ 57 °F
Altitude: 4,006 ft
Italy Cortina d'Ampezzo 46.537755, 12.13823946°32’16” N 12°8’18” E
Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland
August 29, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Sad to leave Munich this morning but off we went on our FlixBus to travel to Bolzano Italy. We grabbed our teeny tiny Volkswagen POS then hit the road to Cortina. Lemme tell you, the Dolomites literally rose from the horizon and I was speechless (besides saying wow wow wow).
We experienced the Italian grocery store for the first time. Got in trouble for not weighing the bananas before we checked out. Lady had to run back to the scale and weigh them lol.
We are in cortina tonight, enjoyed our first of many bottles of wine and a dinner that left us grateful for stretchy waistbands - deliziosa! More to come tomorrow!Read more
TravelerSo pretty. Great update.
8/29/22Reply
TravelerIs that your hotel? So lovely 😊
8/29/22Reply
TravelerYes hotel Ambra
8/30/22Reply
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Day 6
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 10:03 AM
⛅ 57 °F
Altitude: 5,925 ft
Italy Passo Tre Croci 46.55663, 12.2026246°33’24” N 12°12’9” E
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“Let’s take a hike”!” he said. 😳
August 30, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
I was scarred as a child due to extreme hiking when I was 5 years old lol so Ive never been a huge hiking fan… but. this. was. Incredible. VERY difficult by my standards but got er done! 4 hours total with a view unlike any other. Bonus beer at the top 🍺! Totally worth it!Read more
Traveler Wow! Amazing. Bravo!
8/30/22Reply
TravelerI should have warned Steve he might have had to carry you …..🤣
8/30/22Reply
TravelerAnd i didn’t even wipe out like he did!
8/30/22Reply
TravelerThat’s cause you had a lifetime of experience under your belt 👍🏻😆
8/30/22Reply
TravelerYou may have cried at 5 yrs old but the tough- parental -hiking - love , has given you amazing hiking life preparation 🤩😍
8/30/22Reply
TravelerI guess ??!
8/30/22Reply
TravelerJust kidding….. love you 😽
8/30/22Reply
Traveler💟💟💟
8/30/22Reply
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Day 6
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 12:49 PM
⛅ 61 °F
Altitude: 6,332 ft
Italy Lago Sorapis 46.521761, 12.22674246°31’18” N 12°13’36” E
Lake Soropis DOLOMITEE!
August 30, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
Dolomites beauty!! 2-hour hike One way!
TravelerAll I can say is Wow, Wow, Wow🤩
8/30/22Reply
TravelerWonderful! Hiking in Europe: 💯 like no where else!
8/30/22Reply
TravelerGood job momma
9/5/22Reply
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Day 7
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 10:11 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 2,940 ft
Italy Fiè Allo Sciliar 46.516226, 11.50755746°30’58” N 11°30’27” E
Good Morning Italy
August 31, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Welp...the backyard needs a little work? See pics from Airbnb veranda. Weed whip it in no time? We woke to church bells, a gentle cool window breeze, a deep fog from a nite of rain, rooster calls and sweet smell of cow pie from the green pastures. We love this place! We stayed in the highlands just outside the rugged dolomite range about half hour east of Bolzano which resides in the valley. We have effectively done a travel loop from bolzano thru Cortina and back. The switch back drive last evening maxed our vehicle and the hand rail on the passenger side is now perfectly formed to Tricia's hand. She even got the hiccups as a result of one gasp after another. If we had an audi. she would have been fine. but we dont. lol. If I had a nickel for every Audi on the road in the mountain passes. There are so many drop dead gorgeous little ski towns w impeccable accommodations. We are left w why didn't we stay there or there. Now off to see the Iceman! Do some laundry and a stop at the wine shoppe. Then straight south to Verona! An hour 45 drive. and kitty wished us wellRead more
TravelerThe most idyllic setting….. and the kitty was perfect 😍
8/31/22Reply
TravelerAlmost stole her
8/31/22Reply
TravelerPaddington says this is Ice Cat, his long lost relative.
8/31/22Reply
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Day 7
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 3:00 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 942 ft
Italy Piazza Walther Von Der Vogelweide 46.499308, 11.35244746°29’58” N 11°21’9” E
1
Bolzano Bonanza
August 31, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Ciao! Today we went to Bolzano to see Otzi the ice man at the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology. We were happy to see him after the hour long wait for entry. And he was pretty happy to see us too although he came across a bit cold 🥶 in my opinion. Then we strolled the town a while, grabbing a frankfurter and gelato to go. On the road again, tonight’s destination-Verona ❤️Read more
TravelerMr. Ice Man may have warmed up to you if you had brought a bouquet from the gorgeous flower market…..💕
8/31/22Reply
Traveler Don’t you love all the little shops to stop at ? Especially gelato 🧡
8/31/22Reply
TravelerPaddington recognized his long lost relative, The Ice Cat. Is Ice Cat in the museum too?
8/31/22Reply
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Day 7
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 9:02 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 233 ft
Italy Palazzo Malfatti 45.439177, 10.99220845°26’21” N 10°59’32” E
1 1
Dinner Verona Italia -L'Evangelista
August 31, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Fomo! Selecting a restaurant gives u a serious case of fomo...fear of missing out. We are situated in a back alley just off the Roman stadium built in 300 AD. It still hosts events. The most popular is a summer opera series. unfortunately no opera scheduled today. Harumph! Back to dinner. Our senses are asking to be sent to the ER!! Too much flavor, beauty and wow! There is that word again. THE TASTE..has overwhelmed. We'll let the pictures tell part of it and give the ER taste report when we return...if we decide to return. pictures in order of presentation. missing was apertivo--equilibrio. look it up online. foie gras, black truffle sauce...and more mouth watering ingredients. Salute! Ciao! This is my dinner...Tricia's to come. ;)Read more
Traveler The world is her oyster or her timballo or her foie gras 💗
8/31/22Reply
Traveler 💖💖💖💖
8/31/22Reply
TravelerOh to he food “evangelized” the Italian way ❣️❣️❣️
8/31/22Reply
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Day 7
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 10:49 PM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 200 ft
Italy Ponte Pietra 45.447468, 10.99929145°26’51” N 10°59’57” E
1
gastronomy: the art of good eating
August 31, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
Food post! We are in beautiful Verona Italy tonight, at the Relias A Ponte Pietra! Our host took our breakfast order for the morning about 30 seconds after we checked in - priorities!

As Steve said in his earlier post, dinner was la nebbia cibo meraviglioso!! He found the restaurant weeks ago online as we we’re planning our trip and so glad we carried through with it, because just about every corner and alleyway in this city has a restaurant that looks perfecto!

Entree selection: Medium Rare Seared Beef, Arugula Pesto, Parmesan Cream, Balsami Reduction, Tomato Confit, Monk's Beard Greens Salad

Appetizer: Poached Egg on Toasted Pan Brioche, Foie Gras, Frothed Parmesan Cream, Black Truffle Sauce, Balsamic Reduction

Various pallet cleansers

Dessert: Cinnamon Hinted Soft Base, Citrus Mousse, Dark Chocolate Ganache, Crispy Almond Chip, Rosemary Powder
THIS IS GETTING SERIOUS!

Dinner and wine, more than divine 🍷 ciao!Read more
Traveler Very cool!
8/31/22Reply
TravelerWow what a delight! 🍷 the city looks old and quaint and inviting!!!
8/31/22Reply
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Day 8
Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 8:30 AM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 197 ft
Italy Ponte Pietra 45.447412, 10.99932245°26’51” N 10°59’58” E
Arrivederci Verona!
September 1, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
Beautiful late morning and early afternoon strolling the streets of Verona. Sad to leave. We began with breakfast delivered to our room- a bedside cappuccino was a first for me!
Steve came out of the sandwich shop two fists full - no surprise there!
Highlight of the day was an impromptu wine tasting at a local restaurant, a recommendation from our hotel owner- he set us up and we were not disappointed… made it out of the tasting with enough wine to fill the backseat. Such hospitality!Read more
TravelerEach day and pictures are more amazing ❣️
9/1/22Reply
TravelerToo much!!!!
9/1/22Reply
TravelerI’ll be right there
9/1/22Reply
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Day 8
Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 10:59 PM
🌧 63 °F
Altitude: 758 ft
Italy Varenna 46.010568, 9.28379546°0’38” N 9°17’2” E
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Jaw Dropper in Varenna Italy
September 1, 2022 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 63 °F
What? Mountains and lakes combo?! Only in Italy. Tricia has just crossed 100x zone for saying wow! The drive from Verona to Lake Como was like any other major hwy. Not until last 15 minutes could we get a good view of Lake Como...even then not the best. Then after at least three wrong turns...we made it. At one point, there literally was three different exits for Bergamo, Italy on a roundabout and Google maps was lagging, we, of course guessed wrong! Once we arrived, our locally raised Airbnb host, petite Alessandra, greeted us w efficiency of a German and panache of an Italian. Follow me, log in here, go there to park..boom...boom like machine gun. When her husband called. Her first words were Pronto, pronto w questions regarding the two week old gelato shop they just opened called Bon Bon.

Our first task, was laundry. lol. I scored some Peroni and a fruiti bianco wine and we settled in. Then pizza for each of us the size of a car tire and we are done. Big rain came and the town deserted w everyone scurrying to a dry locale. We really can't believe we are here?!! Day two will bring a visit to the villa where the James Bond film Casino Royale had a scene sequence, then a visit to Bellagio and dinner by the water front. ;) Ciao!

Go Gophers!

Added a photo from Verona. Our house/hotel was located just across the bridge on bottom of photo.Read more
TravelerSo far, I think I would pick any of the places you’ve been and spend at least a month. My travel motto is “ it’s all about the food!” Thanks for living up to it and sharing.
9/1/22Reply
TravelerThe love and precision that goes into making a meal is exquisite
9/1/22Reply
TravelerYou aren’t, by any chance, going to Murano down by Venice are you?
9/1/22Reply
TravelerNot this trip unfortunately
9/2/22Reply
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Day 9
Friday, September 2, 2022 at 10:43 AM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 646 ft
Italy Villa del Balbianello 45.965203, 9.2019745°57’55” N 9°12’7” E
A day on Lago di Como
September 2, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Lago di Como welcomed us today with taxi rides to Lenno which is on the western shore of the lake and then to Bellagio. We visited Villa del Balbianello which is the most beautiful mansion on the peninsula of Lavedo. The last owner, Guido Monzino, left his estate, museums and gardens to the FAI upon his death at age 60 in 1988 (national trust of Italy).

Lunched right on the lake with pasta pasta pasta, wine and a happy little cappuccino, evviva!!

Then we explored Bellagio’s bustling streets and secret stairways. Soooo busy there! Got in trouble (in a good way) at the wine shop there, oyi!!

I was happy to return to our apartment in Varenna which is slower paced. And once again Ended the evening with dinner and wine.
Not pictured was the gelato we had after dinner from Bon Bon.. it is a shop owned by Alessandra who also owns our air bnb apartment. She makes fresh gelato right on premise. The two flavors I had: malgata- sweet wine and raisin- holy smokes, and the other was a combo of ricotta, fig and Carmel. I mean REALLY??!! Maybe I’ll have to go back - twist my arm- so I can post a picture.

Buona notte! Ciao!Read more
TravelerOkay, you find the apartment, I have my plane tickets 😎😄
9/3/22Reply
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Day 9
Friday, September 2, 2022 at 1:01 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 643 ft
Italy Lenno 45.973402, 9.19698645°58’24” N 9°11’49” E
Bond...James Bond Secret Villa
September 2, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
We made a wonderful tour of the Lake Como Villa del Balbianello. It was in a Casino Royale and Star Wars movie as well. It's had many owners. The first was a rich Cardinal in the late 1700s. The last, an accomplished expeditioner, died at age 60 in 1988. And nothing has been touched since. Wine in decanters and pack of cigarettes on his desk. The tour was very interesting and found doors and tunnels for Bond to make his great escape. There was turmoil in Italy and quick escapes were necessary apparently.The villa has multiple levels and is like everything off the charts gorgeous! I pulled a grandpa Phil Black Hills vacation move and snapped at least 500 photos. Enjoy! The English hutch is worth 800k. The mechanism was for automating the bell tower bell pictured as well and still in operation. Ciao! Prego!Read more
TravelerAmazing again 💗💗
9/2/22Reply
TravelerAt least Tricia was posed next to the guy's butt for tastefulness sake! And, I'm counting on a slide show of all 500 pictures!
9/2/22Reply
Travelershe grabbed it after the photo was taken fwiw. i wasn't allowed to take that pic. Ha! ;)
9/2/22Reply
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Day 11
Sunday, September 4, 2022 at 12:05 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 741 ft
Italy Varenna 46.010619, 9.28367146°0’38” N 9°17’1” E
Milano Milano
September 4, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Just a quick post before bed 💤 … spent much of today, Saturday, in Milan. Took the train there from our flat in Varenna. Lots of people and an entirely different vibe from the slow lake life towns of Lake Como. Crazy that the two of the most famous sites-the Duomo Milano and Leonardo’s Last supper- are placed here in this big city. We are grateful and humbled to have seen these!
After returning from Milan we spent time on the shore of Lake Como for a beautiful evening and a swim in the lake (All Steve not me)!Read more
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Day 11
Sunday, September 4, 2022 at 9:46 AM
☀️ 66 °F
Altitude: 686 ft
Italy Varenna 46.010724, 9.28281446°0’39” N 9°16’58” E
The Most Wonderful Place
September 4, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
A day in Milan and final evening in Varenna and now we are off to CT. We are like...a whole another week? How can we possibly top the trip. ;) Tricia has had two overwhelming moments. One we climbed out of the Subway and found ourselves smack dab in the middle of Marienplatz plaza in the heart of Munich. The other was the Duomo in Milan. We took an electric scooter from the train station to the Duomo and we double up on it. So I'm not sure she couldn't believe she was actually at the Duomo or just survived a 🛴 in Milano. I'm thinking the former. ;) Off to CT!! Basketball tourney across from Duomo. See pics. lolRead more
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Day 11
Sunday, September 4, 2022 at 7:19 PM
☀️ 77 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Italy Stazione Monterosso 44.145797, 9.64969544°8’45” N 9°38’59” E
Monterosso al Mare
September 4, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Monterosso! What a place.
It is the western most village on the Cinque Terre.
The area is famous for its many lemon trees that can be seen throughout Monterosso. It is also renowned for its white wines, grapes, and olives.

This is just a photo dump mostly of food and outstanding views from our time here. divertiti!Read more
TravelerIt’s what we have come to expect….. stunning pictures 😎❤️❤️❤️
9/6/22Reply
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Day 11
Sunday, September 4, 2022 at 11:01 PM
🌙 72 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Italy Stazione Monterosso 44.145609, 9.65182744°8’44” N 9°39’7” E
From Red Neck to Italian Riviera
September 4, 2022 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 72 °F
We spent a week in Florida in January on the acclaimed 'Red Neck Riviera'..and now the Italian Riviera. It is WOW! It is a beach town. Bellagio is like an outdoor Italian mall along Lake Como. CT is like Lake Superior with warm water, tons more people, great food, and stunning beauty.

The trip had us go thru miles of tunnels. We had I94 like clean roads until we approached Genoa and the coast. Tons of switch backs and narrow roads that test the most seasoned Italian drive--the last 1.5 hours of the 4 hour drive from Varenna. You have to monitor your speed, shifting down and up, lane control, your co-pilot, and if u are in the left lane u have to watch ur rear view mirror constantly for the fast folks exceeding 100mph. It's like a real life video driving game..but real!! oh so real.

You don't really appreciate Italy and all that it offers...until u are here...we flip out at the grocery store. Even the gas convenience store has better sandwiches than most restaurants in Chicago and the Twin Cities. we flipped out there too. We had every hand and arm full of stuff! People in the store were giving us the who the f are these people when checking out?! lol It was like we were in Tomah, Wi buying everything we could find.

If u need a purse place your order. Let Tricia know. Room service on our patio outside our room tomorrow for bfast. Bueno note. ;) photo of tunnel connects Old Town w New Town so to speak. the last is a view from our patio!Read more
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Day 13
Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 8:51 AM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Italy Stazione Monterosso 44.145588, 9.65195944°8’44” N 9°39’7” E
Trouble in Paradise?
September 6, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
It's all relative. Our pain is we have to leave again. Such trouble! We have to leave the beach, the rhythm of the waves and the relaxed energy of Monterosso. Today, we are bound for Florence and a walk to the top of the Duomo in 90 degree heat this afternoon.

We took a boat ride down the coast to Porto Venere yesterday and got a great from the water view of every picture postcard town along the way. It was hot so we took a dip in the ocean w our regular clothes on. What the hay?! Plus tasted a remarkable solo cup of cold pesto pasta and we are still talking today about how good it was. ;) Who would have thought?

When we returned, i went on a wonderful hike to Vernazza and took the 10 minute boat taxi back. it's sez it's an hour and a half. But I got er down just under an hour. Then went for a swim w the fish back in Monty. See hike picsRead more
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