Verona via Milan to Venice and the Cinque Terre

Left for Verona after 2 nights in Turin, settling into Italy, with a 6 hour stop over in Milan were we saw an impressive cathedral and freezing model being photographed near it. Visited a museum in Milan that had impressive collection of Egyptian artifacts and a beautiful room decorated by da Vinci with trees forming the ceiling. Feeling I should have done an art history degree to appreciate what I am seeing due to the immense gaps in my knowledge.

Verona was beautiful. Visited Juliet's house (above photo is from outside thisrestrained from rubbing her statue's much manhandled breast as this is supposed to bring the fondler a new lover and we have been given strict instructions from family to stay engaged), the 3rd largest amphitheater, the castle/museum and watched the sunset from Roman ruins. Had a lovely B+B with a microwave that enabled us to self cater - after Nic ate Donkey bolognese on our first night.

After 3 nights in Verona we spent 2 in Venice which was underwhelming due to the number of tourists, expensive food and tourist orientated shops (who would purchase and carry a full baroque style mask while traveling?) It was interesting reading about the preparations for rising sea levels then walking into the partially flooded entrance of the cathedral which has a mosaic floor that echoed the pattern of sea being very uneven. Unable to cook as there was no kitchen so we had succumbed to the Menu Touristico despite warnings from wise ones who have been before. Managed pizza breakfast, lunch and dinner. Did a boat trip out to 3 of the smaller islands, Murano, Borano (pictured below) and Torcello.


Changing our plans slightly, as we had (already!) got a bit over cities and museums (and we had Florence and Rome to come yet!), we headed to the cheapest accommodation yet in the Cinque Terre, 5 small villages perched on the west coast of Italy. We spent 3 nights in a rather basic 1 bedroom apartment (with 7 dorm beds all occupied – we had the double bed that looked like a cheap prostitutes office with a purple covering over the bed and orange netting). However this was the cheapest accomodation so far at 14 euros per person per night. Great to be able to cook - gnocci with pomodoro and eggplant, fresh tortellini (that put pasta back home to shame) and last night - ricotta, basil and ham pasta. Loving shopping in the local shops that have everything. Been having buffalo mozzarella every night with tomato, balsamic and basil. Bliss. Had interesting nights sitting up sharing wine and gelato with some Americans sharing our dorm room. Fortunately these Americans were left of the Democrats. Did some amazing walks between the villages along the coast that did something hopefully to work off the above menus.