Lake Garda and Verona

Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter Monday is a national holiday in Italy, so most businesses are closed. The kids had school and David had work. Even though it was a rainy day, Cynthia, Patrick, the Bischoffs, and I decided to drive over to Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. We had lunch at Green Beach Restaurant in Sirmione by the lake. After lunch, we walked around the lake, took photos, including a mama duck with twelve ducklings, and walked around the town of Sirmione. At a wine store, we bought some limoncello, pistachio liquer, and lemon-flavored olive oil.

Easter Sunday

The Gonzales and Bischoff families went to mass. We had lunch together, and then it was time for hunting Easter eggs and cracking cascarones on the heads of loved ones. 

Vanessa's Kinder Egg

Venice

On Saturday, April 19, the Gonzaleses, the Bischoffs, and we went by train to Venice.  It was a partly-cloudy day with a cool breeze blowing. Rain was forecast, but none fell. We walked over a bridge to the city and ate lunch, walked the city, crossed the Rialto Bridge, and reached San Marco Square at dusk.  We had to take a water taxi back to the train station to catch the last train back.

Leaving from Vicenza

Restaurant where we ate

When you order pizza, this is what you get for one person!

David bought a spritzer so that Cynthia (and others) could go to the restroom in this bar. See the window over his head?

Where gondoliers buy their garb

View from a bridge

Looks like a painting, doesn't it?

Piazza San Marco

San Marco Basilica

Orvieto

We left Naples on Saturday, April 12, and decided to spend the night in Orvieto, which turned out to be a delightful surprise.  Rick Steves had it right!  Patrick booked us rooms at Hotel Orvieto, and we went to the old town up on the hill that evening.  One of the most beautiful Duomos I have ever seen from the outside sits on the hill. A concert had been held in the church, people were coming out, and a television crew was inside, so I did not go in. Clouds gathered and a light rain began to fall around 7:15, so our photos may not capture the radiance or opulence of the exterior.
From Rick Steves: ...the four marble pillars carved with biblical scenes tell the history of the world....Each pillar is topped by a bronze symbol of one of the Evangelists: angel (Matthew), lion (Mark), eagle (John), and  ox (Luke).  The bronze doors [with large angel handles] are modern.

Orvieto is known for its ceramics. We shopped a little before the stores closed, but all I bought was a ceramic magnet with the Duomo on it.  We thought we might be back tomorrow, but we didn't have time.  We had the best meal at an out-of-the-way cafe.

 Benjamin in front of Hotel Orvieto

 

David and Benjamin

I like this sign because it has the Duomo and the city on it.

We came upon the Duomo from the side - not very impressive

When we reached the front, we were awed.

The gold mosaic made the exterior glow..

Metal doors with angels for handles

The ox for Luke

The lion for Mark

Detail from facade: Adam, Eve, serpent

Scenes from the Bible

Patrick and Cynthia went inside as the concertgoers were leaving.

Beautiful interior

 

Across from the Duomo

One of the ceramic shops

Tavola Calda where we had the BEST meal

They say this is the finest pizza they have eaten! 

Sunday morning, April 13
 

What a view from the road to Orvieto!

Heading back to Vicenza