....my Verona!

You actually have to sing title to the tune of "my sharonna"...

We posted on FB that we landed well and we did. We drove from Colle Santa Lucia through another mountain pass and after a while the terrain changed from the rock face of Dolomites to the vineyards of the Valpolicella region.
Monique did the driving over the many switch backs - her first mountain pass - with lots of stops to get out and wander around. Warm days on the snow - corn snow for skiers. We crossed the Padoi Pass midmorning and already the sun was strong and warm.

Ski runs from the top of Padoi Pass - snow was still pretty thick on the slopes though getting mushy.

One of my favorite things to do - stop and have a real coffee!

View from a coffee!

Looking down the other side of the pass. 

This is the range of mountains that sits atop the pass. Shame the cable car was not open.

Note the cable car hanging in the air - stopped. No wind today. 

For we wine lovers it was equally as beautiful as the mountains!  We rented an apartment called Lady Verona in the centre of the old town, not realizing we would be at the heart on Piazza Erbe. We also did not know our balcony would be huge and face into square, be adorned with original frescoes, or that the interior would be so lux! We sleep under a fresco on the ceiling, walk through stained glass doors to he balcony and have a new kitchen and loo that make life rather comfortable here. Note that most Italians like to close up shop for lunch and a siesta and since its well into 20'C here, a midday Aperol Spritz on the balcony is perfect. 

Piazza Signori

PIazza Erbe

Piazza Erbe at night, from our balcony. 

The other side of Piazza Erbe. 

Our evening wine tasting. 

We are also enjoying dining out, having been given a list of recommended restaurants from the director of the local Int'l school. At trattoria Pompiere they slice all the local salami, prosciutto and Parma ham you want. The slicer stands in the corner with a huge stand up slicer, shelves of smoked meats around him. He comes to your table to make suggestions. This place also won awards for best Tiramisu. 

A pesceria trattoria served a selection of raw seafood and then black giant prawns (squid ink in tempura) that was also outstanding.

El Chef! 

Lunch on the balcony with an Aperol Spritz

Fresh Pasta! 

We are not here only to eat, there is so much to see and do. We walk everywhere and we seem to know the side streets as well as main ones to get to the sites already. The art work in the churches is phenomenal. The Duomo alone can take hours to visit. And then the Anastasia seems to out do it. We purchased a ticket to tour the four main churches here, each with their own large selection of artwork and antiquities. Tonight we will go to a smaller church that is now a concert venue. We will see a medley of "the best arias and selections" from various composers.  After all, Verona is the city of music so they say. Unfortunately we are here before the big concerts start in the arena.

View over the city.

Il Duomo - the cathedral - quite spectacular.

A propos for the Easter season- in Il Duomo. 

The remaining Ala of the Arena. 

The reliefs on our balcony walls.  

Loved our apartment a flat of the original Mazzanti house, now owned by a count.  

Our ceiling! 

Madonna Verona - from 380AD - she stood right out in front for us. 

The Monday-Friday market stalls on the Piazza. 

Our entrance through Piazza dei Signori 

San Zeno on the other side of town. 

Tryptich inside San Zeno

Castelvecchio

Borsari Gate

De Gavi Arch

Inside Santa Anastasia

Corine believes these two to be the inspiration of Jim Henson's hecker muppets. 

Not these as despite being kept behind a net, they seem quite happy in comparison. 

One day we were at the market where a charming salesman sold us fresh tuna, trout and scallops. Travelling with a chef has its advantages!

The roman arena is one of largest amphitheatres still surviving. This is where Opera season comes alive. 

One night our piazza is home to what appears to be a television show.  All the market stalls have been removed and the stagehands are here setting up for the "spectacula".  We thought we recognized one of the actors from a previous encounter that day so in true paparazzi style we hauled out our cameras to try and capture a photo or two.  Given our balcony has various plants and shrubs on it, we laughed and pretended to be real paparazzi to capture just the right photo.  While none of them turned out enough for "the press" we had a giggle about how it felt to be paparazzi.

Tomorrow, we're off to Musella Winery where we will be enjoying our favourite wine, Amarone