stillLUV2go

 Day 9 includes a visit to the historic town of Verona. Read Verona's History https://www.zainoo.com/en/italy/veneto/verona/history Take a tour -  "Veron a in 4K" https://youtu.be/racoWNZVBJU   Verona will be our stop on the bus ride to Venice.  Some of us may choose to sit at a cozy cafe and soak in the 2,000 years of history, while others of us may want to explore every inch of the city that time allows.  There will be something for everyone in Verona. The Arch Scaligeri A group of five tombs honor the Scaligeri family who ruled Verona from the 13th to late 14thC.  The most celebrated of the family is Cangrande, a great warrior, prince and patron of the arts. Congrande is Italian for "Big Dog". Castle Vecchio The red brick castle and bridge crossing the Adige River was built by Cangrande ll.  Known as the "old castle", its most distinguishing features are the red brick M-shaped merlons. Today it is a museum. ...

Day 9 - On this day we will travel through the region of VENETO (ven'-uh-toe) Madonna della Corona  Veneto is a region in northeastern Italy that stretches from the alpine Lake Garda on the west, flanked by lemon and olive groves, all the way to its crown jewel, Venice, and the Adriatic Sea on the east.  In between are the snowcapped Dolomite mountains, gently rolling foothills lined with world-class vineyards, charming medieval towns, Palladian villas and the nature reserve of the Po Delta. Lake Garda Largest of the Italian Lakes,  it is surrounded by many medieval villages and castles.  Ezra Pounds described its allure in a letter to James Joyce in 1921 - "Dear Joyce, I'd like you to spend a week here with me.  The location is well worth the journey - I guarantee it!" Olive Groves and Lemon Trees DH Lawrence wrote:  "The lake lies dim and milky, the mountains are dark blue, the sky glistens, the light burns ...

Day 8 - Our optional excursion is a visit to Portofino & Sestri di Levante.   PORTOFINO   Enjoy Andrea Bocelli’s “Love in Portofino”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWP9Nv6DUsg Portofino is a small fishing village in the province of Genoa.  It may be better known as a resort for the rich and famous. Facing the harbor is the Piazzetta, the central gathering place with boutiques, cafes and beautiful views.  A walk from the harbor leads to the promontory.  The surrounding sea is a marine-protected area established to protect the rarities of the seabed - sea fans, sponges, corals, seagrass meadows and red coral.  Upon the promontory stands the Chiesa San Giorgio, a Catholic church once completely destroyed by WW2 bombs. It holds the relics of St. George, patron saint of Portofino. High above, defending the harbor since the 15C,  is Castello Brown, now a museum.  Below it is the cemetery.  In the sea between Port...

The afternoon of Day 6 and all of Days 7 & 8 will be spent in colorful Cinque Terre (Chink-qwa Ter-rray) Cinque Terre has an interesting story about why villagers ran to the hills -  then fled back to the sea.   Read about it here. https://cinqueterre-travel.com/information/history/ We will tour the villages of Monterossa and Vernazza.   Monterossa  For info about the ginger hairs, Il Gigante, an anchovy salting center and more: https://cinqueterre-travel.com/destination/monterosso/ For info about the beautiful John the Baptist Church and more: https://thatsliguria.com/en/monterosso-the-town-of-the-undiscovered-van-dyck/ For info about the Capuchin church & monastery and more: https://thatsliguria.com/en/where-is-the-most-magical-place-in-cinque-terre/ Vernazza  For info about castles and bastions, the gossip corner, the best views and swimming spots: h...