Tony had a repeat work trip in Trieste, a city we both appreciate for its coastal location (translation: seafood!). The plan had been to drive down for the weekend, and then I would drive back to Vienna on Monday while Tony carried on with his work matters.
The Republic of Slovenia was the first to close their borders and declare independence from Yugoslavia. After 10 days of fighting, Slovenia became its own country in 1991. Now you know. Nearly the size of the U.S. state New Jersey, Slovenia’s riviera is the smallest of the former Yugoslav states at just 46,6 km. Now you know that, as well.
Continue reading “Idyllic Adriatic, Finale. Slovenia’s Seashore”
Waking each morning to the sunrise was luxurious.
Mother Nature messed with Vienna terribly last week. The calendar may have read, “AIS Spring Break,” but she was having none of that malarky.
Continue reading “Idyllic Adriatic, Act I. From Snow to Sunshine”
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How walking felt on Saturday! |
Winding down from the mountain range around narrow curves, the city appears. The Habsburgs chose their real estate well.
Though the temperature was mild, we got to experience what the local people and yachtsmen called, “Bora,” the Mistral-like winds that can reach hurricane strength. With no race to watch (the Saturday regatta had been canceled), crowds walked along the harbor front admiring the boats, enjoying the sea air, and visiting the many vendor booths brave enough to remain open. Periodically the winds would gust so strongly that everyone would be pushed a step back! Laughter followed, and we all carried on with the afternoon.
After lunch, a little sightseeing in the city. The Latin, Slavic, and Germanic influences are noticeable all around, from the Piazza Unita d’Italia design to the remnants of a Roman theater.
The morning spent in Gallipoli was the perfect amount of time to see the sights and enjoy a quick lunch before heading back home to the pool.
I note this fish market in Gallipoli not only for the freshness of its wares, but for the freshness of the fishmongers, too. 😉
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Photo courtesy of the Internet |
Always good to see a major European monument (still) covered in scaffolding.
Gondola traffic jam.
Cuttlefish at the Rialto Fish Market.
Looking up while in Venice is important.
The island of Murano did not inspire us; in fact, even the shopkeepers seemed forlorn. We moved along to Burano after about 20 minutes for a much cheerier island experience.
Jack agreed with us that Burano was a charmer.
Tony and I spent a week in Tuscany in 2004 sans the children, who were having their own little holiday with the grandparents. This time, rather than scurrying around snapping everything I “must” snap, we wandered at will along Il Campo while the children climbed the tower.
Italian paper stores are a weakness of mine. I enter. I shop. I buy.
Beautiful courtyards escaped my 35mm film camera, too, in 2004.
The cathedral library.
The Baptistry.
St. Catherine of Assisi, the female patron saint of Italy, has her church in Siena.
Siena. So much prettier the second time around.
Hoping for interior photos of the glorious upper and lower churches? Sorry, no photos allowed, with the basilica being so heavily monitored to prevent event the most ninja-snap on an iPhone. Those of us with real cameras were followed closely, too. How disappointing. The commune of Assisi is quite photogenic, though, and we spent a fair amount of time wandering its streets before enjoying lunch in a main piazza. Enjoy the walk through Assisi with us…
Also home to Assisi is the Temple of Minerva, dating from the 1st century BC.
Assisi. A highlight of our time in Umbria.
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