Did not tick to many boxes for us, the heat did not help, if you are a culture vulture it is great. Our take on it is of a city full of grand buildings from an age of great empires when it was acceptable to demonstrate great wealth and power by creating grandiose palaces, public spaces and lots of statues. It lacks the kind of personality that you find in some cities with the little alleys, small shops and old working buildings.
You just have to go because it is there. We have all seen pictures of this city of canals, it is all of that and more. A very popular and busy place. If you go try to get away from the main thoroughfare’s and enjoy the little back streets, if you can ignore the shops. The waterways are manic, like there are no rules, sure there are , but, just not obvious.
We purchased a ticket at the camp site for €22 80 each. This covered the cost of two road buses and a water bus to Venice, plus unlimited travel on the water buses around the grand canal, good value.
Have we mentioned Jane? think not. Jane is our sat nav, if you are a driver sat nav’s are like marmite, you either love them or hate them. In general she is good, but, like all of us she has her faults. Keith who doe’s all the driving thinks she is great. A sat nav is no different to a paper map, it presents you with information and you interpret it, very useful for knowing what the road ahead is like, tight bends etc.
Jane has features which are even more useful in that you can choose the type of route, shortest, fastest, avoid motorways, tolls and others. A great feature is walking routes, we use this in cities to get around, find railway stations, car parks, get our bearings and the shortest distance between points of interest.
We nearly gave up on Verona, had difficulty finding somewhere to park, glad we did not. A link with Romeo and Juliet, (see the pics). We are sure that we did not see all that there is to see, it was very hot and we were tired.
The arena is the venue for open air operas in the summer with a varied programme, hence the Chinese temple props. The individual dressed in Egyptian style costume we assume is linked to Aida? One of the operas in the current programme.
Had a meal at a restuarent in the square, nice.
Lake Orta is one of the smaller lakes, but beautifully formed. One day we decided to explore the hills having quickly looked at the map, disappointing, then, by accident, we came across Orta San Guilo. A little treasure of a place, on the tourist map but, not well known.
On the western side of northern Italy the lake extends into Switzerland. We drove around it’s entire shore, very nice in parts. We stayed on a site called Camping Conca D’oro, a lovely well appointed and clean site on the shores of the lake.
We left the med coast of France and headed for the Italian lakes, a two day journey. We made our way along a route that at times was tight and involved some hard, long and twisty climbs, (don’t mention the heavy rain). We passed some signs that seem to indicate height and width restrictions which were less than those of the rig, ah well plough on. We were halted on an hairpin bend by a queue of stationary traffic, just making out some signs and traffic lights in the distance. We started moving then reality hit us it was a tunnel with restrictions, s..t. We pulled to one side and waited whilst the cars carried on, the tunnel operated an alternate one way system. After all the cars had gone we were waved on by an official and procceeded along the centre line which gave us enough clearance. Phew.
Overnight in a the car park of a petrol station. Sunday morning and we were on our way again only to be stopped by the police at a checkpoint, documents checked we were on our way.
This is a large river delta area formed over hundreds of years by the Rhone and petite Rhone. It is famous for its horses, cattle and wildlife. The latter was disappointing only yielding one new species for Keith.
Keith speaking. I have been the subject of some criticism because I publish a blog reference some stunning birds and do not back them up with pictures. Lets be clear, one, I do not have the equipment to the take images. Two, I lack the technical expertise to add these images, imported from elsewhere, to add to the site, and three, if you google the names of these birds, photos from others, who, are specialist in this field, are there for all to see.
Red kites, common Buzzards, ( I hope you have been watching spring watch)? The camp site in Switzerland is located in a fertile valley,the ideal habitat for raptors. Buzzards are common and presented some very good close quarters views. It was also visited by red kites on a regular basis. The buzzards must have a nest in the area and one day the red kite strayed into the buzzards territory, the most spectacular dog fight ensued. It lasted for about half an hour with both birds trying to gain the Ariel advantage by soring above the other then diving down. The lower bird would attempt to retaliate by turning upside down and trying to grab its ‘s opponent.
The Hoopoe. This bird causes great excitement amongst bird watchers when it turns up in the UK, a must see bird. To sit outside, in the sunshine on a warm summer evening and enjoy close up views, without the aid of binoculars and hear it calling, great.
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