|
Part of this trip included hiking in the Dolomites, starting
with a route along this valley...
...then a climb up to the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Note that it's a little cooler on top of the mountain
So, Carol, who's your friend?
Alpine Chough
The Dolomites feature extraordinary, spikey, mountain peaks
and very attractive villages
The next portion of the trip was with an organized HF hiking
group based in Selva di Val Gardena. Here is part of the
group on one of the scheduled hikes
Hiking up to one of the mountain cols
A brief respite at the top
Marker at the top of the col
What goes up...
The coffin lift! You have to run and jump in - with a hand
from the operator!
It's cozy in one these lift cabins
Recreation for some - while others have to push the
turntable around to seek the sun!
Do these people ever hike?
We met some interesting Italian characters along the way
Greeter at one the mountain huts
Rifugio Vicenza and - yes - that's snow up there!
More snow at the end of the week
So, it's goodbye to the northern mountains...
...and, hello to some other Italian iconic landmarks
The Colosseum
The Grand Canal
A Ventian backwater
Traditional watercraft
Not so traditional watercraft
Italy would be nothing without churches...
...and its religious art - with the Madonna and Child taking
numerous forms
There was also "fake" art - want to buy the Mona Lisa?
And, fake architecture - Julietta's balcony was installed in
the 20th century!
But, there were also many genuine paintings...
...and sculptures...
...plus, some rather modern items
When Napoleon's sister, Paolina Borghese Bonaparte, was
asked how could she have posed for this rendition of Venus
Victorious, she said "Why not? It wasn't cold."
Carol found one of Paolina's cousins quite useful
The Tuscan villages were delightful
Like Pisa, the citizens of San Gimignano like their towers
As do the citizens of Lucca
Tuscans also like wild boar - usually served with pappardelle
This wild boar is stuffed...
...as is this one!
Many towns have water features...
...while some have water and brightly coloured houses
What would Rome be without Roman ruins such as The Forum?
Where did all the heads go?
Of course!
Ostia Antica, the harbour city of ancient Rome, is an
extensive archaeological site
Left-over bits?
Italian shopping - a new bag and shoes perhaps?
Or, better still, beer and panini!
Arrivederci Italia
|