Giro d’ Italia. We are currently embarking on around three blissful weeks in one of the most beautiful countries of the world – Italy! And I am beyond privileged to be doing it all together with my incredible husband. Perfection!
After tumbling out of our last SSB train in a chaotic pile of luggage, packets and backpacks and kissing our much-loved Swiss Passes goodbye, we looked up from the station platform and were immediately grabbed by the bustling and intoxicating sights of Venezia – an exotic gateway into Italy.
Walking out of the train station in Venice gives a traveller one of the best first impressions of a city from a transport hub that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, opening as it does right onto the main waterway of the city. Glistening sunshine on the water, exuberant crowds of people and ancient Moorish arches all hit you with full, breath-taking impact as you step out of the building and begin standing in line for your water pass. Can this all be real?
Venice completely enchanted us. We loved the walkways and the array of unique and beautiful bridges; the shape, colours and facades of the mysterious buildings and the quirky boat drivers and gondoliers. The cool pastel colours of Venice at dusk, with the sight of San Marco Square, its striking tower and the gilded tips of the Basilica, was the perfect light to become acquainted with the city on our first stroll. Everything seemed to glow in a softer hue.
Our last evening there was spent standing under a shared umbrella, in the humid summer drizzle, facing the deserted Square and listening to both the lapping waters making the gondolas fall against each other and the sounds of a jazz band playing a haunting ‘Time to Say Goodbye’. So Special.
Our second stop in Italy was no less magical – Verona. A city well known for the timeless romance of its famous ‘star-crossed lovers’, we learnt so much more about its fascinating past from a city walking tour that highlighted its history of occupation (Roman, Venetian, French and Austrian) and ruling family feuds. We also saw first-hand the damage down to Verona in recent times, by retreating German troops. Of course we did indulge in some of the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ pilgrimage too, writing our names on the specially designated area at Juliet’s home and touching her statue to ensure, as legend has it, luck in love for eternity.
It was during this first week in Italy that Gary treated me to two of the most romantic experiences anyone could ask for – a trip for two around Venice and under the Bridge of Sighs in a gondola and seeing my first opera, La Traviata, performed at night in Verona’s ancient Roman Teatro. The sights, sounds and intensity of these two special events will stay with me for many years to come …
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