Day 7 Lake Maggiore Continued

Day 7 Lake Maggiore Continued.  In the previous post you saw pictures of The Church, and The Square.  Though these are quite faded, I thought it still nice that they exist.

I did photo graph all 13 stations, but will share just a few.

I spotted this in this square and photographed, so I could look it up later.  Giovanni was in an Alpine regiment, and was taken prisoner by The Germans/Nazi's.  He died in a prison camp and 73 years later he was repatriated here in Baveno, the place of his birth.  I believe the sign was to let people know the ceremony would be here the following Sat.  We were there on Sept 23rd, and the ceremony to honor him was the 29th of September.

**While this video is in Italian, you can see how pleased town folks were to honor him and his family.  He was awarded a medal.  It appears the ceremony took place in the little church we visited (please see previous post).

What a nice explore we had!

We met up with the tour group again in the lobby of the hotel at the appointed hour to disperse for dinner.  Menu's had been passed around the coach on our way to Lake Maggiore and folks selected where they wanted to dine (included meal), based on the 3 menu's.  

Our group was the largest of 3 groups, but I'm not sure based on the reports from each group about dinner we choose as well as the other 2 groups.  They had some outside tables, but our reservations took us indoors.

To a back room with no windows, and it was quite stuffy.  We did finally get them to turn on the fans.  We were sitting at one really long table which made it difficult to talk well with everyone.  It wasn't a great meal, but wasn't bad either.  We had a really good time with our group.  But the reports from the other 2 groups...sounded like their meals might have been better.  One was there at the hotel and they said they had so many courses they couldn't eat it all (ours wasn't that filling), the other group sat outside on a very pretty patio and said it was such a nice evening and such good food.  Some in our group made their selection of this location because it served rabbit.  We selected it because it had Tiramisu for desert, lol.

Returned to our rooms and sat on our patio's.  Several of us were next door to each other.  Had a night cap while we watch fireworks!  They were fantastic out over the water.  Tomorrow up early, and back on the coach making our way to Venice with a stop in Verona.

Day 7 Lake Maggiore

Morning, would you like some coffee?  Here we are at the start of our day 2 in Lake Maggiore.  Well I'm the one taking the picture as Dear Hubby pours the morning coffee.  We slept in..............ahhhh, so nice.  Ordered a pot of coffee and sat on our patio enjoying the morning sun and coffee, checking out emails and just continuing in our relaxed mode.  We didn't even get dressed and go for the group breakfast.  

The only scheduled activity of the morning/day was yet another optional (paid extra excursion).  This excursion was another 44 Euro's per person, titled Italian Lake Como and Bellagio.  The description for it Lake Como is the most picturesque of all the great Italian lakes.  You cruise around (yes another boat ride), the magnificent villas of the rich and famous (the home of George Clooney), and stop at Bellagio with time on your own.

Day 6 Continue, Lake Maggiore

As we continued on with Day 6 after leaving Pisa (please scroll back to previous post), our itinerary indicated we would cotninue on to our lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore.  The plan for the day was to check in here at Grand Hotel Dino in Beveno and then those who had opted for yet another optional (additional paid excursion), would head out.  However due to time and traffic, that plan was altered.  Prior to arriving at our hotel (another one that got changed just days before our tour started), we dropped the folks off at the dock who were signed up for the excursion.

The excursion was Isola Bella for 42 Euro's per person.  The description said they were to take a private boat to tour Isola Bella, the largest of the the Borromean Islands; said to be a premier attraction of Lake Maggiore.  They were to visit the Botanical Gardens and have a tour of a private palace while there.  From memory believe these folks got back and checked in around 6:30 pm.  

A good number of us were happy we had not opted for the excursion and were happy to get checked in to begin some down time.  I thought this was the nicest of all of our hotels and so to me, was the perfect place to have chillax time. Dinner was to be on our own this evening.

The hallway that lead to door and the hallway.  Bathroom on left, closet across, bench for luggage.  And as you can see in above picture, we had a nice sitting area with chairs and a table, and just beyond a lovely patio to enjoy the outdoors also with table and chairs.  This was the only hotel room on this trip that didn't seem a bit tight and offered a sitting area.  Rooms in Europe really aren't very large, generally speaking.

After checking in, we heading to the pretty outside balcony off the bar and enjoyed a beer and an Aperol Spritz.  Aperol Spritz are very refreshing and quite popular in Italy.  A good number in the group opted for the same thing, we ran into quite a few in the bar and or balcony area.

Later, Ernie enjoyed a dip in the pool while I showered and got ready for dinner.

A view of our patio (we were on the 1st floor), those above us had a nice balcony.  Though it was hazy, still nice to sit out and enjoy the lake.  Notice the domes...sky lights for a dining area below that opened onto another pretty lake view.

We walked down the street to this lovely spot for dinner at Cava Drink and; Restaurant  It was dark by the time we arrived so it was lite up rather nicely.  We were right by the waters edge.  A peaceful, relaxing meal.  Very enjoyable.  The most interesting part of the meal perhaps, was watching the wait staff making their way across the main street...the actual restaurant was on the other side of the road.

After dinner and back on our patio for a night cap.  Remember the domes, they looked very interesting after dark.

 Sorta reminded me of a James Bond movie, lol.

Wonder what day 2 in Lake Maggiore will being.........please check back in to find out.

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me.

Day 6, Leaning Tower of Pisa

Day 6, Pisa, and Lake Maggiore.  Our itinerary for the day says  stop at Pisa for the Leaning Tower from which Galileo is said to have conducted experiments on velocity and gravity.  See the splendid cathedral and baptistery decorated with mosaics.  Journey past the marble quarries T Carrara, used since the time of Ancient Rome.  Travel through the Apennine Mountains to the fertile valley of the River Po. and continue to your lakeside resort on beautiful Lake Maggiore.

The town of Pisa is one of the areas where tour coaches aren't permitted.  We toured several areas where the coaches have to park some place outside the city, and tourist need to walk in, or find other transportation.  From memory, believe this was the 2nd time the coach had to leave us outside city limits.  Partially due to the distance, and perhaps because of our lady in the wheel chair, Vivian; arrangements were made to ride these little trains into the area where The Leaning Tower of Pisa,  and Cathedral were.  We weren't the only tour group here that morning, so the trains must be common place.

And even after you leave the train outside the walled area, you still must walk to your actual destination.  ERnie in right foreground.

As you approach, you see the Cathedral on your left and The Leaning Tower beyond.  They look connected in this picture, but they aren't.  It's just the distance.  But, comparing it to the building near it, you see better how much it's leaning.

A different view where were almost in front of the Cathedral, gives you a feel for the size.

We considered briefly doing the shot where you find the right spot and look like you're holding it up, but the line of younger folks waiting to do that...we moved on.  The Leaning tower is the bell tower for the Romanesque Marble Cathedral, built in 1372.  Even at the time it was built, it leaned.  Later due to it leaning so much Italians were afraid it would fall over, devices were used to secure it.  Over time it was beginning to straighten the tower......which would ruin the tourist attraction, so alterations had to be made to allow it to continue to lean.

The Cathedral was beautiful even from the outside, and as you can see the line to enter was long, so was the line to buy the ticket to enter.  Knowing our time table here, we elected to walk around the community instead.  I don't believe anyone in our group made it inside the Cathedral.  There was also a long line to use the bathroom, which was one of the many paid public toilets we encountered during our travels. (more on bathrooms in a later post)

One of the side streets with shops and places to eat.  We were there early enough, many weren't yet open for the day.

This was gorgeous.  Look at the wooden wheels!  I couldn't read the sign posted with it, but we assume it's for hire to site see from.

 Some views out the window of the coach.

We're approaching Lake Maggiore.  We did pass the marble areas mentioned in the itinerary for the day.  It was visible from the coach, but not such that a picture was obtained.  A very steep hillside where marble was selected and the difficulty of getting the marble to the artist/builder etc was discussed.  We could see very primitive roads off in the distance.

**Pop back in for Lake Maggiore.

Happy HALLOWEEN

Let's Travel back in time with the help of a time machine..........to a time of black and white, a time of homemade Halloween Costumes.  

Me on the left wearing a very itchy burlap dress my Mom made.  I was an Indian Princess.  My long braids were a black scarf that I used for years as a black scarf.  

In the middle, my younger brother as a bunny.  I don't remember what Mom used to make his costume...fabric wise, but she was quite a seamstress.

On the right is my older brother as a Hobo.  What's nice from memory is none of us wore a mask, so we could easily breath and see where we were going.  We're standing in front of the family TV (yes family tv, there was just one, like in most households).

The location, Marion Ohio...date?  Well, not sure but am guessing somewhere around 1955 ish?

As we travel back in time, I'm reminded how different the holiday was celebrated then.  There were no parades, no parties at school...after all you went to school to learn, not to have parties.  You went door to door in just your neighborhood and parents stayed at home in the house, so they could pass out the candy.  You always were invited into someone's house, cause you knew them and they knew you.  They pretended to guess who you were, why you'd chosen to be.......whomever it was you'd chosen to be...AND, you always said Trick n Treat, and you always said thank you.

In my neighborhood now, parents are always with their kids, kids get driven from neighborhood to another to collect more, most kids are wearing store bought costumes, there is no neighbor to neighbor conversation.  Most kids don't say thank you, and sadly most parents don't make them.  Most schools have parties and parades so the kids typically celebrate either the whole day or multiple days......perhaps overload?  Perhaps too much.  Simpler might be better.


PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me.

Day 5, Florence Birthplace of The Renaissance

 Night 4, Continued.

After our wonderful diner at Dianella Vineyard, we boarded the coach and made our way to our next lodging.  Grand Hotel Tamerici E Principe in Montecatini.

Our room didn't look that nice.  We arrived after dark and had a hard time making our way to our room as the halls weren't lite..not sure what that was about.  But, a bad start.  We've opted for twins so they weren't together as in the hotel's picture.

Day 4, Continued Fattoria Dianella and Montecatini

You saw Ern and I just as we were observing the pretty hillside view of the vineyard in the previous post.  This was our Dine at Home experience.  Which means a local invites you to dine in the home...in this case her Mediciean villa.  Veronica welcomed us and told us a bit about her family, and the vineyard.

We had a tour where a member of her staff explained the process of making wine.

The types of grapes they use: Sangiovese, Colorino, Vermentino, Malvasia, and Sabernet Sauvignon.

Then we settled in to do some wine tasting and have a delicious meal, that seemed like it would never end.  One course after another paired with appropriate wines.  Fantastic meal, and lots of fun.

 Lots of folks having a good time.

In a beautiful setting, with good food and wine.

This group was paying attention!  This was an included item in our tour, not an optional pay extra item.

Can't take credit for this lovely photo, it's from their website.  We walked around outside for a few minutes, while some were in the wine cellar (yippee my hubby Ernie was) buying wine.

Wonderful photo of Veronica and her husband Francesco.  Also from their website.  Please take time and visit their page.  It's a B & B.  You can stay there, you can go taste wine, you take cooking classes there, and you can buy wine!!

This is me...excited as our case of wine from Dianella winery arrived yesterday!  We opened one last night at dinner.  Naturally we were having a pasta dinner!

Day 4, Medieval City Siena, Tuscany

Siena, depending on your route from Rome it's a 2.75 hours to 3.5 hours.  Day 4, our itinerary indicates we'll be traveling north to medieval Siena, and stroll through the winding stone-paved street to the vast Piazza del Camp, where the Palio takes place.

Ok, so far we are indeed winding our way you can see the cobblestone (sure played havoc with Vivien's wheelchair).  Up and down hills, and around and around and through.........be ware of traffic.  As you see it's tight.  Siena was named after Senius, the son of Remus.  You might remember Remus and Romulus are said to be the brothers that founded Rome.  You'll see lots of statues and emblems, a she-wolf who suckled Remus and Romulus.

Day 3 Continued, The Colosseum, Rome

Ernie did a decent selfie!  He walked up to the 2nd level of the Colosseum.  You need special tickets to go beyond that...it's almost a separate tour to go to the top.  It's my understanding you have to reserve well in advance and the tickets are hard to come by.  Our guide, Ziggy told us that. 

Day 3, Rome Continued, The Forum

 WOW!!  This was so much more than I anticipated.  Our "regular" tour day had ended.  But, optional #2 (Guided visit to Colosseum & Roman Forum) was still on for the day.  Cost 54.00 Euros (per person remember things on tours are per person costs).  Well, yeah, we were in Rome naturally we wanted to see The Colosseum and Forum.  We started first thing in the morning remember with walking tour, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Bramante Stairs, Trevi Fountain and The Pantheon....but we signed up for this optional.  

 I would have enjoyed it more had it not all been the same day.  Really...lots of walking (more than I had been able to do since breaking my foot), and it was HOT!  But, we'd travel just under 6,000 miles I think the flight monitor said to get to Rome...........so.  Here were are.

Day 3, Rome Continue, The Pantheon

Still in Rome and still day 3...yes it was a very full and busy day!  This is Ernie either checking his phone to see if he got the picture or getting ready to take a picture as we approach The Pantheon.  This was one of my Rome highlights.  The building is a true marvel.  It's gorgeous, it's massive, it's impressive inside and out.

This close up shows you holes in the cement.  Our guide Ziggy told us those are holes that have been drilled to add steel (in my mind I though rebar when she talked) for strength.

The Pantheon was a Roman Temple and is now a Church, an active church.  The earlier temple was commissioned by Marcaus Agrippa during the rein of Augustus, and completed by Hadrian about 126 A.D.  There are several important burials there: Raphael The Painter, Annibale Carracci also a painter, Arcangelo Caorelli a composer, and Baldassare Peruzzi an architect.  Raphael perhaps the best known is there on the left where you see the statue.

Day 3, Vatican and Rome with Ziggy, Bramante Staircase

This photo is from Wiki, so you can see what the modern  (built in 1932) Bramante Staircase looks like.  It's a double helix design, modeled after the original built in 1505.  It's purpose is to move traffic in two directions without interruption.  

The original was built to accommodate animals and people, and to connect the Belvedere Palace of Pope Innocent VIII to the outside.  Built in a herringbone paving pattern with granite doric columns.

Day 3 Vatican and Rome with Ziggy, Part I

Ziggy was out local guide, lady in the black coat.  She was a hoot.  Great since of humor.  Quite knowledgeable.  She was German, married to an Italian and told us her Mother was French.......so to say she had background would be quite an understatement.  Francis the guy to her right with the notebook was our tour Director.  He is actually Austrian, but has lived in Italy for years and his wife in English.  He speaks several languages as does Ziggy.  Between them English, Italian, German, French, Austrian...and perhaps more; but those are the languages we know about.  We boarded our coach for a quick ride to a meeting place to collect Ziggy where we can began our very LONG day 3, she accompanied us the whole long day.  Many thought she was too knowledgeable and offered to much detail in her commentary.


The description for that day says a local guide will lead you through the priceless art collections of the Vatican Museums, ending in the Sistine Chapel to spend time with Michelangelo's famous ceiling.  A special VIP behind the scenes look at the Bramante Staircase.  Later to St. Peter's Basilica, followed by a walking tour of Trevi Fountain and Pantheon.  Then have time to relax and absorb the atmosphere of Piazza Navona. 

Day 2 Continued, Meeting up with the Tour Group

 Day 2 Continued.......we met up with our tour director Francis Touschek and the other 38 members of our group.  (we had a full coach). We boarded the coach and went for a group dinner at Amedeo where Francis gave us some history, and a few organization items needed for the tour.  Dinner was ok, not as good as what we had the night before; but it was fun getting to know a few people.  Names are hard to remember (I thought that last year in Ireland), so decided this year I would make notes. These are pictures from their website, as we forgot to get a picture while there.

We dinnered with Jeanie and Earl and their friends Sharon and Bill.  Others were at our table but at the other end of the table so hard to chat much.  The 4 of them traveled together.......knew each other from high school days; but no longer live in the same town.  I believe I had eggplant something from memory and red wine.  We board the coach to return to the hotel. 

Half the group returned to hotel, meanwhile the rest of us opted for our first optional experience (add on) for a night tour of Rome.  Yes, my eyes are closed...and I was sleepy...though that's not why my eyes were closed.  I do that often in pictures unknowingly.  Mostly we were on the coach, but for about 10 minutes here for photo's at St. Peter's Basilica at night without the hoards of people.  Tour was about 1.5 hours long and cost 19 Euro's per person.  In retrospect, going back and going to bed might have been a better option.  We really didn't see much at night, and most of what he said then he repeated later on our tour.

So, if you're looking to take Insights Italian Escape Tour, I would not recommend the first optional called Rome by Night.  Two fold, most of the group arrived that day and still hadn't had a decent nights sleep.  While we had arrived the day before, we were still very tired. And secondly, the info he gave us that night was repeated, as I mentioned above.  So, really nothing missed if you opted not to do the first optional.