Italian Christmas

We decided to spoil ourselves over Christmas, and went on a tour to Lake Garda - Northern italy. The tour company was Page and Moy, and they specialise in tours for the older generation. We were quite lucky on this trip, as there were 3 other young couples, so there was quite a nice mix. The best thing about the trip was that you stay in a really comfortable hotel, and are taken to all the sights, and really well looked after.

Our hotel was in Arco, which is a little village about 4km from the Northern tip of Lake Garda. The village is guarded by an imposing castle, built on a large 'koppie'. It turned out to be a wonderful base for our stay, really quiet, and with real italian charm. They had a great Christmas market, and some fantastic shops.

Each day, the 36 people in the group, jumped on a bus, and went off to a different destination. The first was to Bolzano, and the Dolomites. We caught a cable car up into the mountains, and then went on a 20 minute train ride though serious snow. The snow was amazing, and the view over the Dolomites was superb. After some great fun in the snow we drove down into Bolzano, were we had some free time to see the Christmas markets and for some Sangria, and a Currywurst.

Our next trip took us to some of the castles of Trentino, the highlight being a tour and a tasting at Castle Noarna, a great castle and vineyard up in the mountains. Amazing how a wine tasting can improve group dynamics.

Christmas eve dinner was spent in a restaurant in Riva. After 7 courses of food, and drinks to match, everyone was seriously stuffed. A little grappa was the perfect end to a great evening.

Christmas day was spent relaxing around the hotel, and once again stuffing ourselves on an italian style lunch. It was great to just park out and and chill.

On Boxing day we drove off to Venice. Our arrival was great, catching a waterbus, and pulling up to St Mark's Square. We had quite a lot of time to explore the city, and it truly is a one of a kind. Beautiful buildings wherever you cast your eye. We were lucky enough to go on a gondola, and it turned out to be a really great way of seeing the city. We cruised along some back canals, and found ourselves arriving on the grand canal, at the Rialto bridge. We then walked around, and saw some of the famous churches and palaces. Amazing that the prediction is that future generations will be exploring Venice under water. So, if you've never been, and are keen to see Venice, get there soon.

Our last day trip took us to Verona, the setting for Romeo and Juliet. Amazing that even though the story is fictional, the most popular tourist attraction is Juliet's balcony. We had a tour of the whole city, and it was really prettier than expected. Great fresco's on the buildings, and an arena, pretty similar to the Colosseum in Rome, only better preserved, and older. After the tour we found a little pizzeria, and enjoyed our first pizza of the trip.

A very different trip for us, but one that we thoroughly enjoyed. Great to be looked after so well. Also really great to spend Christmas with Jacks' mom.