Missing Italy, are we?
Apr 28th, 2021, 05:26 PM
#21
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Thanks for the book recommendations! I am nearly finished with the Venetian Game -- and I'm hooked!
But now I'm dying for a spritz! What is so special about a Venetian spritz? Is it different from an Aperol spritz? If it is different, can someone provide a recipe? Thanks!
But now I'm dying for a spritz! What is so special about a Venetian spritz? Is it different from an Aperol spritz? If it is different, can someone provide a recipe? Thanks!
Apr 30th, 2021, 01:04 PM
#22
<<Thanks for the book recommendations! I am nearly finished with the Venetian Game -- and I'm hooked!
But now I'm dying for a spritz! What is so special about a Venetian spritz? Is it different from an Aperol spritz? If it is different, can someone provide a recipe? Thanks!>>
Glad you enjoyed Phil's book bibliotecaria - by coincidence I was on a zoom gathering of the Welsh crime writers' festival tonight in which he was one of the speakers, reading from his latest book, Venetian Legacy, which is a cracker.
As for Spritz, you can get Aperol Spritz in Venice but the more common one is made with Campari which is often described as 'bitter" for ordering purposes. You can also get it made with a concoction made from artichokes, called "Cygnar" and there is talk of them starting to make a specifically Venetian drink called Select again, which used to be made in a factory near Tre Archi I believe, which you would mix with prosecco and mineral water in the same way. If you are desperate for a spritz you can do what I do and make it at home with ⅓ campari, ⅓ fizzy mineral water, and ⅓ prosecco or if you don't have any sparkling white wine, a dry white will do at a pinch. Add a slice of lemon or orange peel or an olive and you're there! [or rather you aren't there but you can dream]. Cincin.
But now I'm dying for a spritz! What is so special about a Venetian spritz? Is it different from an Aperol spritz? If it is different, can someone provide a recipe? Thanks!>>
Glad you enjoyed Phil's book bibliotecaria - by coincidence I was on a zoom gathering of the Welsh crime writers' festival tonight in which he was one of the speakers, reading from his latest book, Venetian Legacy, which is a cracker.
As for Spritz, you can get Aperol Spritz in Venice but the more common one is made with Campari which is often described as 'bitter" for ordering purposes. You can also get it made with a concoction made from artichokes, called "Cygnar" and there is talk of them starting to make a specifically Venetian drink called Select again, which used to be made in a factory near Tre Archi I believe, which you would mix with prosecco and mineral water in the same way. If you are desperate for a spritz you can do what I do and make it at home with ⅓ campari, ⅓ fizzy mineral water, and ⅓ prosecco or if you don't have any sparkling white wine, a dry white will do at a pinch. Add a slice of lemon or orange peel or an olive and you're there! [or rather you aren't there but you can dream]. Cincin.
Apr 30th, 2021, 11:09 PM
#24
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Re Spritzes. I am enjoying one right now, in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. 17:00, big day in the garden.
Yes, Venetians are only marginally Italian. Have their own dialect, and Venice was the last hold out to the unification of Italy.
One suspects that to this day, some Venetians regret it.
Yes, Venetians are only marginally Italian. Have their own dialect, and Venice was the last hold out to the unification of Italy.
One suspects that to this day, some Venetians regret it.
Apr 30th, 2021, 11:17 PM
#25
We keep Aperol and Campari but usually go for the Aperol. If we are out of white wine I've used Aperol with Pellegrino or club soda and a citrus wedge.
We started on Aperol Spritzes in Venice but they are equally good in Verona and Vicenza--and cost less there too--as well as having them in Ravenna and Ravello.
We started on Aperol Spritzes in Venice but they are equally good in Verona and Vicenza--and cost less there too--as well as having them in Ravenna and Ravello.
May 2nd, 2021, 09:08 AM
#26
<<We started on Aperol Spritzes in Venice but they are equally good in Verona and Vicenza--and cost less there too--as well as having them in Ravenna and Ravello.>>
annw - Also good in Bologna where in the evening they come with a buffet too, which varies in its extent depending on the cost of the dink. I find Aperol too sweet but it's taken off in the UK in a big way so much so that in my local supermarket it can be hard to find any Campari.
<<Re Spritzes. I am enjoying one right now, in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. 17:00, big day in the garden.
Yes, Venetians are only marginally Italian. Have their own dialect, and Venice was the last hold out to the unification of Italy.
One suspects that to this day, some Venetians regret it.>>
Happy belated May 1st to you and Lou, Pete. When do you think that you might get back to Venice? Weird to feel homesick for somewhere you've never lived, isn't it?
annw - Also good in Bologna where in the evening they come with a buffet too, which varies in its extent depending on the cost of the dink. I find Aperol too sweet but it's taken off in the UK in a big way so much so that in my local supermarket it can be hard to find any Campari.
<<Re Spritzes. I am enjoying one right now, in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. 17:00, big day in the garden.
Yes, Venetians are only marginally Italian. Have their own dialect, and Venice was the last hold out to the unification of Italy.
One suspects that to this day, some Venetians regret it.>>
Happy belated May 1st to you and Lou, Pete. When do you think that you might get back to Venice? Weird to feel homesick for somewhere you've never lived, isn't it?
May 2nd, 2021, 11:56 AM
#27
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I most certainly am. I haven't been back in 7 years. I was really hoping to go back soon. Hopefully this summer if possible. I miss the relatives and I miss my friends. The dilemma I'm facing is alot's changed in my life since I last went. If I do go back, I'll more than likely be travelling alone as I don't as of yet have anyone to travel with. Travelling with a tour group won't work for me because it'll more than likely conflict with whatever plans I'd like to make with friends or relatives there. And although I find travelling alone to be fun, I also find it pretty intimidating and stressful. I don't know whether I'll rent a car, or just get around by bus or train. Travelling alone to that degree will be a first for me, so just trying to figure things out.
May 2nd, 2021, 02:08 PM
#29
<<And although I find travelling alone to be fun, I also find it pretty intimidating and stressful. I don't know whether I'll rent a car, or just get around by bus or train. Travelling alone to that degree will be a first for me, so just trying to figure things out.>>
First of all, welcome, jpgreco - I see that this is one of your first posts but not, I hope one of the last! I too have had to come to terms with solo travel and though it has its challenges it is also very liberating. I deal with the stress by working out in advance what I'm going to be doing on a daily basis and how I'm going to do it, writing it all down in a spreadsheet with all the flight, hotel, transfer and contact details. I may not stick to the daily sightseeing programme, in fact often I don't, but it means that when it comes to catching a plane or a train I know where and when I have to be at any one time, how long it's going to take me, and what I'm going to do at the other end. On my phone I have various Apps like Trenitalia and DeutscheBahn so I can check train times and connections, which are very useful in case of delays. And I make sure that I travel light so that if I need to hurry I'm not encumbered with heavy cases. But I would urge you to take the train, especially in Italy - so much easier than driving and fun too.
First of all, welcome, jpgreco - I see that this is one of your first posts but not, I hope one of the last! I too have had to come to terms with solo travel and though it has its challenges it is also very liberating. I deal with the stress by working out in advance what I'm going to be doing on a daily basis and how I'm going to do it, writing it all down in a spreadsheet with all the flight, hotel, transfer and contact details. I may not stick to the daily sightseeing programme, in fact often I don't, but it means that when it comes to catching a plane or a train I know where and when I have to be at any one time, how long it's going to take me, and what I'm going to do at the other end. On my phone I have various Apps like Trenitalia and DeutscheBahn so I can check train times and connections, which are very useful in case of delays. And I make sure that I travel light so that if I need to hurry I'm not encumbered with heavy cases. But I would urge you to take the train, especially in Italy - so much easier than driving and fun too.
May 2nd, 2021, 03:56 PM
#31
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jpgreco7043, as annhig wrote above, there are some nice aspects to solo travel. You are free to set your own itinerary and time frames. Also, as DH and I tired of schlepping for tickets, we took advantage of local tours more. Some included pickups at the hotel.
May 2nd, 2021, 07:18 PM
#32
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Hi Ann,
I don’t see us getting to Europe any time soon, maybe in the latter part of 2022. We would want all the Covid restrictions and risks abated before we visit.
We moved house in mid December, from very down town Melbourne to Bendigo, a rural city, 150 km from Melb, with a population of some 110,000. Top notch art gallery (presently showing fashion by Mary Quant, a blast from the past, the swinging 60’s) and a good selection of places to eat.
The house is mid-70’s, so burnt orange tiles and mission brown woodwork, architecturally really good. The kitchen is pretty dismal, tiny and dark, and we see some serious renovations starting in a couple of months.
The garden is huge, especially compared to Melbourne where are garden was not much bigger than a ping pong table. A bushland reserve to one side and the rear with no fence, so the appearance is like a fifteen acre garden.
I have peas, lettuce, rocket, radish and beetroot in, and globe artichokes coming along. And I have prepared a bed for asparagus, a long term project as they take two years to crop, but yield for about 25 years.
We are so happy, so pleased we made the move.
I don’t see us getting to Europe any time soon, maybe in the latter part of 2022. We would want all the Covid restrictions and risks abated before we visit.
We moved house in mid December, from very down town Melbourne to Bendigo, a rural city, 150 km from Melb, with a population of some 110,000. Top notch art gallery (presently showing fashion by Mary Quant, a blast from the past, the swinging 60’s) and a good selection of places to eat.
The house is mid-70’s, so burnt orange tiles and mission brown woodwork, architecturally really good. The kitchen is pretty dismal, tiny and dark, and we see some serious renovations starting in a couple of months.
The garden is huge, especially compared to Melbourne where are garden was not much bigger than a ping pong table. A bushland reserve to one side and the rear with no fence, so the appearance is like a fifteen acre garden.
I have peas, lettuce, rocket, radish and beetroot in, and globe artichokes coming along. And I have prepared a bed for asparagus, a long term project as they take two years to crop, but yield for about 25 years.
We are so happy, so pleased we made the move.
May 4th, 2021, 05:00 PM
#34
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I'm loving book two (Vengeance in Venice) and have now invented a new "cheat" spritz: Grapefruit (or similar) Spindrift with Campari over ice. It's low-cal and low alcohol -- perfect for after work.
May 9th, 2021, 08:39 AM
#35
JPGreco I've done several solo trips to Italy and understand it can be daunting but also wonderful!
Annhig's comments are right on. I do the same organizing in advance, using an app called Tripit to track all the plans and reservations. I email hotels in advance as to best way to get there; usually I get a legit taxi from a train station and I have the hotel/locanda address printed on index cards
I travel by public transportation rather than a car, since the driving there does intimidate me. I tend to organize my trips around places or events - a language or (my area) mosaic class; a short conference; a particular experience. I stay in places with support, like a locanda, rather than an apartment. In a different venue, the Lake District in the UK, I did join a small group for a day tour of the area, since public trans wouldn't have made sense or gotten me to the places I wanted to see. Otherwise I tend to organize by train travel, sometimes forgoing out of the way places for the more accessible.
For me Venice is a dream city for solo travel. Vaporetti or walking to get around, good train connections to most places I want to go, relative safety as a solo woman traveler, views, art, architecture.
Peter I love the sound of your new garden space!
Annhig's comments are right on. I do the same organizing in advance, using an app called Tripit to track all the plans and reservations. I email hotels in advance as to best way to get there; usually I get a legit taxi from a train station and I have the hotel/locanda address printed on index cards
I travel by public transportation rather than a car, since the driving there does intimidate me. I tend to organize my trips around places or events - a language or (my area) mosaic class; a short conference; a particular experience. I stay in places with support, like a locanda, rather than an apartment. In a different venue, the Lake District in the UK, I did join a small group for a day tour of the area, since public trans wouldn't have made sense or gotten me to the places I wanted to see. Otherwise I tend to organize by train travel, sometimes forgoing out of the way places for the more accessible.
For me Venice is a dream city for solo travel. Vaporetti or walking to get around, good train connections to most places I want to go, relative safety as a solo woman traveler, views, art, architecture.
Peter I love the sound of your new garden space!
May 9th, 2021, 08:43 AM
#36
And having traveled to Rome right after Pope John Paul II's funeral, I had new admiration for how they managed a million+ influx and exit of foreigners in the city.
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