That's the name of my next Tour and I'm off again early Wednesday morning. We'll be staying on Lake Orta at Orta San Giulio. Lake Orta is the smallest and most Westerly of the Italian Alpine Lakes. The best thing is, nobody knows it's there. Lake Orta is peaceful and quiet and not as busy …
Isola Del Garda
Today we made an excursion to what is quite probably one of the most beautiful islands on Earth. Isola del Garda is a privately owned island in Lake Garda. The same family have been living there for hundreds of years. You can only visit if you have pre-booked, Not many people are allowed to. We …
41,692
Why 41,692? Read on… Today I’m back in Sirmione, but this time as an excursion from our base at Desenzano del Garda. I thought I’d drop in a quick blog post over lunch while my clients explore this lovely little town. Tiny little church next to the castle at sirmione On this visit I thought …
Risky Business in Malcesine
Today, our final full day at Lake Garda, so we made an excursion to the pretty little town of Malcesine. It’s about 3/4 of the way up the Lake, headed North. The Northern end of the lake used to be owned by Austria until the end of the First World War when suddenly, it wasn’t …
Dogs Now Mandatory in Venice
They’re not, but it sure feels like they might be! I have never been anywhere with as many mini doggies as Venice; tiny little things that fit in a handbag and enormous hounds. But they are just part of why we all love Venice. It’s the epic, cheerful, rolling chaos of the place. Dogs, kids, …
Verona, Valpolicella & Aquatic Naughtiness
A busy day yesterday! Over breakfast on the terrace I noticed two Grebes on the lake engaged in what might politely be called a courtship ritual. It featured much raising of crests, splashing and rising out of the water together and mutual presentations of fish and seaweed. It was rather sweet and I plan to …
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Return of theFlying Tomato
Well we made it. On the second day of travel we arrived in Sirmione, Lake Garda and this evening enjoyed dinner overlooking the lake in the excellent Hotel Continental. We got to travel on my favourite European Hi-Speed train, the fabulously bright red FrecciaRossa, or, as I like to call it, the Flying Tomato Sty. …
Let’s get Italian
I’m just prepping up for the next Tour which departs this Sunday. I’ve done this one before and it’s a good one. The hotel is very strong, in an excellent location and with a hands-on Manager who runs a very tight ship. This will be the first of several Tours that involve the Italian Lakes. …
CircumEtnea
Our final full day so I took my clients up the volcano. We started early to avoid crowds and make the best of good weather. Nearly all of my clients went to the very top - I stayed as base camp Refugia Sapienza. To catch them as they came down and to defrost them (it …
God Paints The Scenery (Again)
The weather Gods are beginning to tire of tormenting us and were able to catch an early morning hydrofoil back to mainland Sicily. We arrived at Milazzo port and out faithful bus driver Salvatore transferred us to Messina for a short tour and a late breakfast. Looking across the Straights of Messina, the Italian mainland …