Spring?!

Sunset on the Adige

A few days ago I enjoyed this magnificent sunset as I was walking towards the bridge of Castelvecchio. They sky was a bit hazy and the sun was like a bright orange reflecting on the River Adige.

Galani

"Galani" are one of the many typical carnival cakes. They are made with a special dough and fried. They have many names and it's funny to notice that the sign above them indicates some of them: ciacole, grostoli, lattughe. I should suggest the shop keeper to add "fiocchi", because that's how we call them back in my hometown in Tuscany...

Pink sky

Tonight, going back home. The sky behind me was hazy and gray. In front of me it was incredibly pink...

Giardino Giusti

A couple of weeks ago we visited and enchanting place, here in the heart of town: Giardino Giusti.

Let me pick up some notes from the leaftlet.

These magnificent gardens was created in the 15th century and today it shows the structure given in 1570 by Agostino Giusti, Knight of the Venetian Republic and Squire of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. The gardens are the backdrops of the beautiful palace and they are terraced in order to gradually uncover the view of the city.

Fountains, Roman statues, acoustic grottos, Italian hedges can be admired here, as well as one of the oldest labyrinths in Europe!

The gardens were visited, throughout the centuries,  by illustrius historical figures, such as Cosimo De' Medici, De Brosses, Addison, the Emperor Joseph II, Mozart, Suares and Gabriel Faure.

We spent a lovely sunny sunday morning here, we were the only visitors! We really enjoyed playing in the labyrinth with our little daughter... for her it was like a fantastic adventure...

Public library and

I have been meaning to take a decent photo of the public library but, for different reasons, I never got near to a satisfying result. So far, I understood that I'd better come here when it's dark to avoid the reflections. But today I decided to post this one because, first, I like the colours and secondly, I thought that reflections can be a nuisance but they may be interesting...

The motorbikes reflecting on the spotless screen can be fairly disappointing, but, if you look carefully, you will notice a few other details of what it is to be found near the library. On the left you can see a big white umbrella with people sitting at the tables outside the bar (they are probably having a good espresso, I know the place...).

In the centre you can see some bright rectangular windows. If you look to the right, you may spot the sign of the big store hosted in this mirrored building (hence the bright reflection...).

The old meat market #2

A few days ago I posted a detail of the impressive entrance of the old meat market and this is the back side. 

Carnival!

The old wine shop

I regret I didn't get the chance to snap a last photo to the old wine shop before it closed...alas! 

Works are in progress now, perhaps another chain shop is about to overtake this premises. I hope it might be one fine independent shop, and I hope, as well, that it will mantain this lovely red frame and the name of a traditional bottega.

Yes we can!

Leading lingerie brand advertises its last five days of sales with Obama's claim...

He could put a copyright on it!

Lingering on the Lake

I can be bothering with the Lake of Garda, but I can't help it... It was so clear and bright... 

Before the weather changes, I want to share with you this spectacular light and quiet I enjoyed a couple of days ago...

Down on the lake

Yesterday I posted a view on the Lake of Garda, today I am showing you the beauty of its shore.

This is a spot on the promenade in the town of Garda (same name as the lake).  In the winter months the villages on the Lake are quiet, except on week-ends, when many people drive here from Verona and the surrounding areas. In summer it's nice to come here and have a swim, even if it can be really crowded!

On the Garda Lake

Took this photo today, from Albisano, a tiny village overlooking the Lake of Garda and the town of Torri del Benaco. The sun was bright but it was quite windy and it really felt chilly up here, so I quickly snapped the pic and run back inside the car...

St. Bernardino and the demons

This is one of the many beautiful paintings that make the Church of San Bernardino an art jewel. The church was built during the XV century and it has a beautiful cloister completely paved with marble tombstones and plaques. 

Walking along the cloisters you can admire the paintings that, I guess, tell the story of San Bernardino from Siena. 

This one caught my attention: I think it celebrates the Saint that chases the demons out of town.

Tiramisù

Today I have tasted one of the best Tiramisù. The cream was lovely and had just the right consistency. The spongy cake was light and soft, slightly dampened with coffee: not too dry, not too wet. I also liked the way it was presented, on a plate with cocoa powder all over it.  

Mmmmh, absolutely delicious!

Stones

Just a few steps from the old meat market you can see this stone portal and round little window. The stones caught my attention and I thought to share it with you.

The old meat market

A detail of the stunning facade that once was the entrance to the meat market.

Gap

Traffic light and flower shop

Sunny sunday

Late morning in Piazza Erbe. The sun appeared and warmed the air. It was nice to have a coffee at this café wearing sunglasses!

Path to the river

A few years ago this bit of the Adige was much, much dryer. You could walk down this path to the stony shore. We often took our dog there where he liked to play and put his feet in the shallow water. 

The river changed over the years and now the water runs over the marble where once you could walk on, to the shore.

In the last few years some stretches of the town shoreline were improved or simply cleaned from weeds. A few steps back from here, on the right, a nice path runs along the river, all the way to the next bridge.

Art on the Adige

A morning in January. Sculpture by Virginio Ferrari. A Veronese artist, he has been living in Chicago from the late sixties. His works can be seen in many public places in Chicago. Virginio and his family spend several months here, in their country home. We used to be neighbours. 

I really love his works, one of my favourites is called Being Born

Verona in Love

Big red hearts appeared today on the main shopping streets. A tribute to S. Valentine's day, next 14 february, the lover's saint. 

Because of Romeo and Juliet, Verona has developed a strong image as the Città dell'Amore, the Love Town. Every year, from the 7th to the 15th february, a series of events welcomes lovers from all over the world: it's "Verona in Love", whose claim is "If you're in love, take your loved one to Verona". Lovers can book a discounted week-end stay and benefit from special offers from many restaurants. Besides,  a lot of events such as exhibitions, a market, special guided tours will be held for this special occasion.

If I didn't live here, I would love my husband to take me for a romantic week-end in Verona!

Shutters

This morning the sun shone for a few hours and the people seemed really happy. I went out for my midmorning coffee with a dear friend who will move to Spain tomorrow. She lived upstairs from us and we had become good friends over the last couple of years, since we moved in.

I took this photo from her empy flat, shining in the sun, before she locked it...

Red umbrellas

A few tourists on a rainy day. The weather has got slightly better today, still grey, though. This is Piazza del Mercato Vecchio (Old Market Square). To the left, behind the staircase of which you can see a little corner, there is the entrance to the elevator that brings you to the top of Torre de' Lamberti (well, almost: the last bit is on your legs!).

An interesting corner!

This photo sums up a few important details about Verona:

1. Valerio Catullo, was born in Verona - about I a.C., famous poet of his time, 

    he was probably the first veronese to become famous. Our airport is named 

    after him. 

2. The beautiful marble ornament (a Siren) is one of the many roman

    stones scattered in town.

3. Fashion, not a detail here in Verona but a big business. Lots of famous

    designers opened their flag shops in the three top shopping streets (this one is     Corso Portoni Borsari and the famous designer is Etro). 

4. It's raining again!

Weekly closing day

I took this photo some time ago but on an equally rainy day (actually today it began with snow which later turned into a continuous, sad, rain).

These are the outside tables of the Pizzeria we often go to. It was closing day but chairs and tables remain outside. A guy took advantage of the opportunity to sit undisturbed and read his newspaper under the umbrellas.

Passage

This is a tiny passage that connects Piazza Erbe and Piazza dei Signori. I love it because when you come out of it, on the other side, you can really see how old this spot is, despite the modern-ish look of the passage.

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