Bongiorno Italy! Or the adventures of the restless :) Part 1. The city of eternal love Verona and a real shede
Part 1. The city of eternal love - Verona and a real masterpiece of natural beauty - Lake Garda.
Initially, when we planned the route, we went through a bunch of options on how to see Italy, taking into account the interests and wishes of all workers. Having studied and tested having calculated the cost estimate, both material and mentally-physical, and so as not to waste time on all connections, such as trains, buses, electric trains, taxis and other delights of independent tourism, came to the conclusion that it is necessary to choose a bus tour, lasting at least ten days, without night crossings, but with an overnight stay in each of the cities. At the same time, Rome should account for most of the time, well, at least at least four days. Next, we compiled a list of cities named “I want” and docked it with a budget named “I can”. The puzzle came together on the tour operator "Accord-tour". But!
We were only interested in their transfer and ready-made hotels along the route. The journey of internal routes was independent. We understood what we were going for, therefore, having the initial data, it was necessary to make the trip as comfortable as possible as possible (according to my photos at the end of the pilgrimage route, you will understand that the possibilities are not unlimited), but such is the selyavi : )
Preparation algorithm:
Virtually explore the city and designate must-see places.
In advance in maps. me to download all maps of cities along the route.
Put marks on objects and see the distance to them.
If the objects are not within walking distance, then determine what transport can be used to get to them.
Required It is advisable to buy a power bank and carry it with you, since geolocation eats immeasurably, but it works without the Internet, but it drains the battery specifically.
You can do without it and recharge in a cafe while drinking coffee.
Adjust the list of objects based on the available time.
On the Internet, buy all the tickets, as well as pay for the reservation (the amount is not critically high, but it will save you a lot of time and health). It helped us a lot when visiting the Vatican Museums and the Uffizi Gallery.
Further, I will give all life hacks in the course of the stories. I even got the idea to write a small guide specifically for potential travelers of the Accord Tour, since it is with this tour operator that you get the most budget travel, but there are a million nuances and if you take them into account and be prepared for them, then everything will be quite comfortable. And I finally understood why there are so many complaints about the Accord-tour, although everything is not so bad, believe me. I end the prologue on this, because I run the risk of not getting to Verona.
Well, Bongiorno Italy! I say in the most romantic city - Verona!
After all, Verona is called the city of eternal love and a masterpiece of Italian architecture. Indeed, once here, you feel your belonging to the Great and Eternal.
I dreamed of going to Verona as a girl, impressed by the unearthly love of Romeo and Juliet. And of course, first of all, I am not interested in the ancient Roman ruins, but in the same Juliet's House, to which all lovers rush.
This is The Capulet House
Here is Juliet's balcony, where you can go out and also be a little Juliet, capturing a moment in the photo. Interrogatively pleadingly I look at my husband... My husband looks at me skeptically and asks the question: "How old are you?
"Yes, not sixteen, so what? But he categorically refuses to take a photo shoot of his Juliet, so the balcony is empty.
Although he immediately runs and grabs the bust of the bronze Juliet, since then any of his desires should come true, and in matters of the heart he will certainly be lucky. Fuck how self-confident men are. For Juliet, I mean a little old, but he's a damn Romeo in his prime.
The walls of the house abound with touching notes - from those who have found, are looking for or want to return their love... And you know, metamorphoses really begin to occur here, and here we are To be in love with each other again, we write notes to Juliet and leave them on the wall and both already believe that Verona is a city of miracles and wishes come true.
Again in love we go to get acquainted with the city and its environs.
The most striking and famous landmark of Verona is the amphitheater built by the ancient Romans in the 1st century AD "Arena - di - Verona".
This is the largest open opera house where our famous opera diva Solomiya Krushelnytska sang.
Until the 10th century, this great creation retained its original appearance, and then suffered not from floods, not from earthquakes, but from what would you think? From the looting of people who began to pull it over the stones. In the 13th century, they nevertheless changed their minds and even thought about preserving the architectural masterpiece, and in order to preserve a particle of history, a decree was issued that threatened serious punishments for the destroyers. Restoration work also began and even theatrical performances resumed.
And relatively recently,
in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi, they decided to put one of his works on the site of the ancient amphitheater. Since then it has become a tradition and an annual opera festival is held here. And now preparations are underway for it, and we see the scenery for Verdi's opera Aida.
Oh, how I want to spend an evening in an ancient amphitheater to get a sea of unforgettable and exciting emotions. But. . . so far it's just a dream.
And by the way, next to the amphitheater, just like in Rome, there was the Forum and the Capitoline Hill, on the site of which the central square Piazza dell'Erbe was built.
Come with me
Now there is a picturesque bazaar where you can enjoy delicious fruits,
representing a culinary masterpiece proudly called Macedonia
The issue price is 4 euros, well, what are we talking about, let's try
Carnival masks are sold everywhere, just like in Venice
In the center of the square there is a Roman statue dating back to 380 - this is the Verona Madonna. Fotan also bears the same name, and right along the facade in the distance you can see Maffei's Palace.
Above the square rises the Lamberti tower, 84 meters high. This is the tallest building in the city, so the Lamberti family wanted to emphasize their greatness.
The tower itself is part of the Palazzo Ragione ensemble, in which the court of Verona sat for many centuries.
This building was built in the 2nd century, survived several destructions, but you see, it managed to maintain an interesting look.
Today it houses a contemporary art gallery.
We dive into a small street under the Lamberti tower and fall on the medieval Signoria area.
This is the most beautiful square of Verona and is surrounded by the palaces of the rulers of the city of Scala.
Merchants' House
In the center is a monument to Dante Alighieri. ( Yes, yes, the same one, the author of the Divine Comedy), who was a Florentine, but was expelled from Florence and found his refuge in Verona. After Dante's death,
the Florentines realized it and demanded that Dante's body be returned to them for an honorable burial. But the inhabitants of Ravenna were outraged - you did not need Dante during his lifetime, so why do you need him after death? Dante was buried in Ravenna, where he died of malaria, and millions of pilgrims from all over the world still go to his burial place.
We again dive into a small arch on the right and go out to the tombs of the three rulers of Verona, who ruled in the 13-14th centuries - the arches of the Scaligers.
This is the only "suspended" burial, which is a monument of medieval Gothic.
The family coat of arms depicts a staircase (Italian for "rock"), hence the surname Mastino della Scala. The ruler of Kangrande is depicted on horseback and lying in a coffin (on the right in the photo)
Verona gives the impression of a very ancient and ancient city. Everywhere we dive into some kind of medieval arches
Weeping through the narrow streets
Viewing Cathedrals and Basilicas (sorry, only outside)
Antiquity and mystery are everywhere
Here's what was found at the excavation site
And this is the antique gate Porta Borsari. A masterpiece of the very high craftsmanship of the ancient Romans, representing a three-tier structure.
You can see Castelvecchio in the distance, built in the 8th century as a defensive fortress
The Adige river flows below, and a picturesque view of Verona opens from the bridge.
I didn’t want to say goodbye to part with Verona, but Lake Garda was so attractive and attractive that we had to leave medieval possessions in order to get acquainted with another, no less picturesque corner of Italy, an ancient town Sirmione, located on the shores of the most beautiful lake in Italy - Lake Garda. Lake Garda is not only the most beautiful, but also the largest in Italy, and also very deep, more than 300 meters deep, so the lake is navigable.
Thisis a favorite vacation spot for Italians and international guests.
Rising in the Alpine landscape, rocky mountains are intertwined here with sandy beaches and olive groves, giving this area a special Mediterranean flavor.
Through the gates of the ancient castle, surrounded by water, we find ourselves in the ancient resort town of Sirmione
The Castle was built by the Scaligers already known to us in the 13th century as a fortress. In general, Sirmione traces its history back to very ancient times, and it all began with a fishing village
Now the whole city is built up with villas, yachts, private boats are everywhere, in general Italians know how to live : )
Picturesque streets with cozy restaurants
Flower-decorated houses
Sirmione beckons and beckons
So, well, stop groaning, groaning and sighing "They live the same people... " let's go on a spree.
The heady scent of magnolias bloomed in the air
The people had a rest, how very culturally with the all-inclusive with sunbeds relying on this
No less cultural, but budget (i. e. without sunbeds) in olive groves
Yes,
well, you need to check the temperature of the water
Yes, the temperature is clearly not for swimming, 18 degrees at the most. The husband said: we need something to drink. I asked: water? "What does it have to do with drinking water, by the way? " he answered. "At least wine. " And the heat was under 40 degrees, well, what kind of wine, we're getting here.
Agreed on beer (by the way, it was not bad)
We took out our shaped dry in the morning from the backpack. a ration, including sausage, cheese, two croissants stolen from the buffet (I rarely do this, but then the devil pulled something) and beer is so-so budget, but you know delicious, we had lunch. And I sat down to enjoy the scenery. . .
My husband got tired of my contemplation of the waves very quickly and he decided to end my meditation by saying a magic spell: "Let's go eat ice cream. " Well, what's the conversation?
I eat ice cream in Italy all the time, it is exceptionally tasty here!
Great lemons grow here too. I have never seen such.
The husband did not let me buy lemons, saying that "I still don't know where the hell lemons come from. "
Well, everything ends sometime, and this day, full of architecture, nature, and even foot whirlpool baths, is over. We go to our parking lot to leave for the next city of my dreams - amazing Florence...
(to be continued)
