SIX DAYS OF CYCLING FROM THE DOLOMITES TO VENICE IN 6 MINUTES

Iin six days we biked about 240 miles from Bolzano to just outside of Venice (Mestre). Almost perfect weather and the most beautiful paths for viewing and cycling. This tour was with Exodus, a UK based company. I highly recommend this tour.

The Dolomites along side the Adige river make this such a wonderful location. On this day we were riding from Bolzano back to Trento. The scenery was breathtaking.

This bridge is in Nomi , Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirol , Italy. What is difficult to see is the spokes that come down from the arc. This is meant to resemble a bicycle tire, and is adjacent to the bike path.

The Arena in Verona, Operas and Concerts take place here.

Giulietta making an appearance on the balcony.

We arrived in the Soave region of Italy. Famous for its grapes.

Here is the link to a aerial video of our 6 days of riding. It was an amazing trip. The video was recorded from Relive The RIde, a great website for cycling.

October 26, 2018 0

Wandering Rome

As I am going through my photos and videos of this years visit to Milan and Venice with the bike tour, here is a quick 3 min walk around Rome

The link to the video is here

October 18, 2018 0

Wandering Milano With Caterina

This was my third trip to Milan. I wanted to see and do some different things. Airbnb experiences helped me make the most of my time for a very reasonable price. I had arrived in Milan only 5 hours ago, found my Airbnb and was headed over to where our small group would meet to see some of the unique sights that are not always on a guided tour. As I was walking around, I got a text saying they were ready to start and where was I. Seems I did not read the start time but the end time ……MENO MALE. I was just a block away so I got there on time. It was a small group with only 4 people and Caterina, the guide. Two were from Belgium and one from Great Britain. Once again the only American.

Caterina, our guide.

We met near the public gardens (Indro Montanelli) for what would be a 2 1/2 hour walk. We would go from the old to the new. And some of the most ultra modern architecture with prices that would make Manhattan look like a bargin.

One of the classic residences.

Amazing art decorates the outside of these residences.

Our vintage tram a great way to see any city at a slower pace.

Some of the modern building with high price tags.

A Tesla showroom. No price tags.

Piazza XXV Aprile – Porta Garibaldi

I have visited Eataly in Rome and New York City. No I had a chance to roam the one in Milano.

If only my local Publix in Florida would have some of these delicacies. Ho fame.

Search out Catalonia’s walking photo tour of Milano on Airbnb Experiences. Here is part of her description “The Neoclassic and Art nouveau district of Porta Venezia. A residential area that represents the true everyday life of the Milanese. The brand new, sparkling and luxurious GARIBALDI’s area which is our ending point where you can easily take subway, tram, train or taxi. CUSTOM EXPERIENCE: If you would like to participate in the experience but on a different time or day, write to me and if I can I will try to organize one with your availability.”

Here is a link

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/263117?euid=0af081a7-e582-7ee2-6cf1-0c7842fdc298

October 12, 2018 0

I Love Pasta And It Is Easy To Make

I was raised to love pasta. All kinds. I have never lost my taste and when I found a email from Airbnb about a pasta making class in Milano, I jumped on it. It was a 3 hour exploration of Italian cooking and a chance to make fresh pasta. Gianfranco holds the class in his apartment and it was a very relaxing setting. This was the second of my Airbnb activities that I have engaged in and it will not be my last. Gianfrano is a “personal chef from Palermo, Sicily, and the traditional Italian and Sicilian food is my speciality. I like making genuine homemade food, pasta, street food and dessert”. He did not disappoint. Gianfranco served asiago and parmesan cheese with olives and some Italian bread while we drank some delicious white wine by Corvo. He went over the process of make the pasta and discussed the two types of meals we would eat with it.

This is an easy relaxed time with everyone taking part in the pasta making. Golden rule is 100 grams of flour and 1 egg. You want a dry dough, not sticky. When the dough is throughly mixed, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

Roll it a bit to make a flat sheet and divide it into 4 pieces, Then roll it out to fit the pasta maker. Insert at the widest opening and gradually decrease the thickness till you achieve the desired thickness of your pasta. After that we hang it to dry slightly.

Here is a link to the video of my experience.

Gianfranco our host and chef.

Pasta making machine. ( available on Amzaon $26 to $200 plus)

Gianfranco with Maria and Maria who were also in the class.

Eggplant for the pasta alla Norma.

The basic pomidoro sauce for pasta alla norma.

Pasta drying before cooking.

Buon appetito

Look for Milan activities and search for “The Secret of Italian Cuisine” under cooking classes.

October 12, 2018 0

Il Viaggio – The Trip

I just returned from an 12 day trip to Italy. I visited Milan, Trento, Bolzano, Padova, Vincenza, Venice, Lake Garda and several small villages which our bike our took us through. It was an amazing trip, but I learned a lesson. DON’T BOOK YOURSELF SOLID. I had set up so many things withs dates and times that I forgot to live the Italian lifestyle and not rush. None the less, it was an amazing trip. But I will remember for the next visit.

Pasta with ragu in a small ristorante in Milano. Off the beaten path, not crowded and a great meal.

The The Osteria The Full Moon

This was my first dinner in Milano, and you might like to visit this quiet southern Italian ristorante if you have time. Here is the address. Via Lazzaro Palazzi 9, 20124 Milan, Italy. If you have not guessed, I am a big fan of Southern Italian cooking and Sicilian Cooking.

Bikes are a way of life in Milano and most of italy. The bike share cycles area all over. It is not uncommon to see some in a dress and high heels, or a business suit riding down the street. In Desenzano del Garda a young man was riding in the rain with an umbrella held high above his head… Sujch is the life of those who commute on a bicci!

The next post will include the Cenaclo and the Canal District.

October 10, 2018 0

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