First stop today is in Verona. Quite a nice city. Naturally adorned with history dating back to the earliest of times. The houses of the actual family's of Romeo and Juliette are here.
It is apparently unclear whether William Shakespeare had ever visited Verona when he was writing a play with a similar name or merely read the Italian version that had been written earlier. We learned the the ending of the two stories was the primary difference. In the Italian version they were married and lived "happily ever after" (those romantic Italians…)
Among all of the historic buildings, Verona also sports a coliseum in an almost exact architecture to that in Rome and was in fact older than the Roman Coliseum. Great examples of Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture abound.
Here, the Coliseum is still in use here. However, rather than Gladiators fighting Lyons, there is currently a music festival and opera taking place. We were told that the acoustics are suburb.
Off now to Lago di Garda. Lake Garda is the largest lake that is entirely within Italy. It is about 32 miles long and 10 miles wide. The area we visited is a resort area and has been since about one century before Christ. There is a sulphur hot spring (70 degrees C) that naturally empties into the lake some of which is piped into a hot spring resort. This area is a vacation spot and playground of the rich and famous (Princess Di and the like). We had a short boat ride around the castle to allow us to get a better view of the area.
Again on the bus, heading to Lago Maggiore (major-e). As we approach the area we can see the Alps for the first time. This is actually the largest lake in Italy but it does stretch outside the boarders of this country and into Switzerland.
Our hotel for the evening was absolutely palatial. Our room had a view of both the Alps and the lake. We only spend a single night here but the entire tour group agreed we would have been happy to spend the majority of the vacation here.
Dinner was provided of equal quality to the caliber of the hotel. Even a snooty waiter was even included to annoy and attempt his damnedest to intimidate us.
A stroll around the neighborhood after dinner and a stop at a local bar for a nightcap drew a close to another terrific time.
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After breakfast Saturday morning, it was a short stroll to the boat ramp. A visit to a couple of the local islands was the beginning of the day's touring.
The boat first dropped us off on the island of Isola Bella. This entire island is the palace: Borromeo Villa and it's surrounding gardens. This was built beginning in the 1300's and was occupied through at least 4 generations of the very powerful and wealthy Borromeo family. Every generation left its marque in designing and decorating parts of the palace so they would always be remembered. We were far more impressed that we thought we would be. Quite stunning...
It was then off for a short stop on the resort island of Isola Pescatore (fishermans island).
Lots of boats are available to shuttle people to and from the many islands and towns dotting the shoreline.
Once back on the mainland we head for our tours last destination, Milano.
We have been quite busy the entire time that we have been on the tour. Of course, there is so much to see. The tour company (YMT) has done a fantastic job. We have had tons of tours, visits and experiences and every one has been just long enough and extremely well organized.
The group of people we are with, range in age from 18 to 80 and many of them are new friends.
Milano is, and is in the center of Northern Italy. A first stop at the Castillo di Ambrosio, built in 1368 and was occupied by a very powerful ruler and shortly thereafter, many conquering nations before the unification of Italy in the mid 1800's.
It was then off to the Galleria. The world first shopping mall built in the 1800's too. This is now occupied all of the highest end of Italy's fashion designers. Gucci, Armani and the like.
Just outside was the world's 3rd largest cathedral, the Duomo di Milano. Again, another stunning structure.
With a little time before departing to the hotel, we decided a refreshment was in order. €61.00 for 4 beers in the Galleria!
Finally at the hotel. Everyone seems exhausted but happy. Some dinner and an early to bed as people are heading to the airport starting at 4:30 AM. Hugs all around as we said goodbye to our new friends.
We head to the airport tomorrow at 8:00 AM not to fly out, but to pick up our car and begin our last week in Italy. Touring on our own.
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