Hi everyone! Just back from an outstanding time in Italy. I don't know how to make this have the airplane - but it is a Trip Report. Enjoy!



First, let me say that I prefer not to go on tours. I prefer to travel solo, or with my best friend or my sister. However, I have just returned from a fabulous tour and have lots of good things to share.

The tour base was Verona, Italy. I had never been there before and had no idea how beautiful it is. I stayed at the Hotel Due Torri (https://hotelduetorri.duetorrihotels.com/en), located right next to a stunning church, the Basilica di Santa Anastasia. For those who are unfamiliar, Verona has a rich medieval history, especially during the Scaliger family's rule in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was founded in the 1st century BC and was part of the Republic of Venice from the 15th to 18th centuries.

The hotel was a splurge for me, financially, but it was gorgeous. Well worth it. The staff and customer service were incredible, the food was excellent, and the hotel itself dates back to the fourteenth century, known as Palazzo dell'Aquila (Palace of the Eagle). It has tons of history, and the hotel’s lobby is covered in stunning frescoes and artwork. A beautiful and historic building. There is one thing that the hotel does not do well – coffee. Trust me. However, if you are standing in front of the hotel facing the front door, look to your right. There is a small cafι, with tables and white umbrellas (the first one you see) on your right. If you live for your cappuccini in Italy – that’s where you want to go. Every day. Sometimes twice a day.

The tour was offered by an organization called Art History in Focus (https://arthistoryinfocus.com), founded by Siβn Walters. Siβn is a brilliant art historian. I discovered her through her online courses via the National Gallery in London. Not only are her experience and knowledge about art vast, but she is an outstanding lecturer, and I am so happy that I discovered her and this group. You can read about her at her website; suffice it to say that I am in awe of her and the depth and breadth of her knowledge.

I’m not sure I've visited a place in Italy that looks so much like a medieval town/city. Just walking around on my walking tour and looking up at these medieval frescos on these houses, built in the 13th century was …. incredible. I flew in 2 days early because I wanted to a) get over the jet lag, b) go to Venice for a day, and c) visit the Castel Vecchio in Verona, which was not on the tour agenda. I arrived early in the morning and hired a local tour guide (through the hotel) to do a walking tour of Verona. We started at the Basilica di Santa Anastasia. It is spectacular. The Basilica still has the name it was given during the Lombard period and was dedicated to the Virgin Anastasia (fourth century). The Basilica was built at the end of the main Roman road in Verona (the decumanus maximus).

The Dominicanssettled here in the late 1200s and began the construction of the Gothic basilica, dedicated to the martyr St Peter (the poor guy with the hatchet in his head), a Dominican who originated from Verona and is a patron of the city. (https://www.chieseverona.it/en/our-c...aint-anastasia) Seriously, you need to look at the pictures. The Basilica itself is breathtaking and well worth a visit. Someone who loves history and art could easily spend 4 hours wandering around (https://www.chieseverona.it/en/our-c...aint-anastasia). There is a badly damaged fresco by Pisanello, which was painted between 1433 and 1438, difficult to see, but nonetheless, worth looking at. Also, I can’t remember which, but there was a Titian in one of the Cathedrals.

We spent 2 great hours walking around, visiting the main squares -- Piazza Bra (city center), Piazza delle Erbe (once the ancient Roman Forum, now a market), and Piazza dei Signori, very nice. I recommend you stay away from the Casa Mazzanti Caffe. I went there for an Aperol Spritz my first night. They brought me one that was completely flat, no fizz and stale chips. I speak Italian and told the waiter I would like another one with fizz (maybe it's time for a new bottle of Prosecco). I speak Italian, he definitely understood me. He picked up the glass, walked inside and 10 minutes later walked out with another completely flat spritz. Because I was a single woman? Because they were sloppy and lazy? Who knows. I left. Be forewarned. I think that Cafe is in the Piazza dei Signori,

The next day I took a train to Venice. I have always struggled with the trains in Italy, the stations are confusing and finding my track and where I should sit, etc. takes me a little extra time. I do speak some Italian, and everyone is really nice so that helps.

I met a tour guide there, Dr. Luisella Romeo, who I have done webinars with. Her family is from Venice; she is just so bubbly and warm and really enjoys meeting new people. She knows her Venetian history, architecture and art. I enjoyed the entire 6 hours. She is also a total pro at walking around Venice and never seeing more than 15 people. Avoiding the tourists!

I love Venice but the places I wanted to go back to were the Accademia Museum and I Frari, my favorite church in Venice. For those who love art, the Accademia is must-see. (https://www.gallerieaccademia.it/en) If you love art the way I do you can easily spend 5 hours there. And if you have visited Venice and love churches, do not miss I Frari. It is literally riddled with Bellinis, Vivarini, and Titians, as well as others. It also offers beautiful sculpture, including a Donatello. It is a stunning church with a rich history. Starting in 1231, under Doge Jacopo Tiepolo, the city donated land here to start a monastery and church belonging to the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. It was too small, and a three-nave church was begun in 1250 but not completed until 1338. It was again rebuilt. It is what they call Venetian Gothic. I always find peace in such churches, even though I am not religious. https://www.basilicadeifrari.it.

Ok, that’s it for Part 1. I’ll start on the actual visit to Verona, Padova, Vicenza shortly.

This is the CARIBBEAN forum. Since your post is about your trip to Italy might want to ask the Moderators to move it to the European forum.

Moved to the Europe Forum and tagged for Italy

SusanG, you need to click on the Trip Report box. That's how you get the airplane icon. If you can't do it, you can ask the moderators to do that for you so that readers know at a quick glance that this is a trip report.

We spent 2 nights in Verona last May, and we really enjoyed it. A beautiful city!

Hey guys, no idea how that happened. I guess I was not paying attention. Thanks to the poster and the moderator!

Karen Woo, I did find the box and thank you so much.

I'm signing on to follow your progress. Your trip sounds like a wonderful line up of cities. We spent several days in Verona, stayed at the Due Torri, which is a lovely place and ideally located. We stayed in Venice and visited Padova that trip but missed Vicenza, so I'm eager to read your report on all 4 places.