Sunday, September 28, 2014
My 30th birthday... in VERONA!
It was pretty special to spend my 30th birthday in Verona!!
Yummy creme brulee after a delicious dinner:
...Something was very funny...
wonderful windows - Verona
I find that when I travel to new places, I often begin taking photos of things that fit in various categories... in this case windows. Walking through Verona, there were so many gorgeously detailed windows on the different buildings. Below are some of my favorites:
Colorful : )
Mouth window!
Windows and al fresco paintings... gorgeous...
So much beauty and history to be seen. We almost just walked by...
I DO love windows! : )
Giulietta's balcony - Verona
Romeo and Giulietta... in Verona. This is definitely a theme around the city... you are able to buy plenty of Romeo and Juliet souvenirs!
Juliet's balcony is one of the main tourist attractions to see while in Verona...
More than the balcony, I wanted to see the graffiti wall that there is on the way into the small square with the balcony. I had read that the wall was covered in graffiti (love notes) and post-it notes... but it turned out to be graffiti mixed with ...band-aids. Weird. : P
Juliet's balcony is one of the main tourist attractions to see while in Verona...
Crowded!
More than the balcony, I wanted to see the graffiti wall that there is on the way into the small square with the balcony. I had read that the wall was covered in graffiti (love notes) and post-it notes... but it turned out to be graffiti mixed with ...band-aids. Weird. : P
People also put love-locks on the wire gate in the small square:
...aaaand stuck small change to gum (ummm... ok.)
Sunday, September 21, 2014
QC Terme Milano Spa
There is a wonderful spa in the center of the city, which I have been wanting to go to and figured that it would be the perfect, special evening with Mom! We went to QC Terme Milano her last night in town.
This spa IS a special place. The spa is set inside a historical building, within the ancient Roman walls. Horse-drawn trams used to stop at this building, which was a part of the transport agency in the city. There is even a one-car tram on the grounds, which you can go inside and it is a sauna! Very cool.
I was surprised with how many different areas and baths the spa has. This is really an incredible space... but kind of weird too. It felt as if we had stepped into a different world with lots of people in white robes.
Mom and I first went into a large room with 'nests' which you can lie down inside and sink into the foam mattresses. There was also a red circular room, which had heated beds inside and was said to feel like the inside of a volcano. We also experienced relaxing on water beds, spraying perfume, and listening to music underwater.
There are three bath pools outside, with a gorgeous view of one side of the Roman walls and each pool is a bit different. After spending some time outside in each of the pools, we made our way back inside for an aperitivo, which was included in our entry fee and included champagne! Whoa.
Lastly, we went downstairs... not knowing what we would find. Well, the downstairs of the spa is like another world! There was a long hallway with doors and small rooms off either side. I would guess that there are about 20 different saunas, steam rooms, and baths off of this hallway. ...And we tried each one! Haha.
Some of the pieces of the downstairs that I remember most are: the roman bath tables - large marble beds-tables to lie down on and have warm water sprayed on you from above, the waterfall bath pools, the foot baths for a pedicure, the Japanese sauna - which was way too hot for us, aaaaand plenty more.
Funny enough, as we arrived and were checking in (around 5:30pm), the lady told us that the spa closes at midnight. Mom and I kind of laughed at that... thinking that we had no plans to stay quite that long! ...After experiencing the spa, though, I can see why she gave us that heads-up. We left the spa around 8:30pm or so... but could have definitely stayed longer, ate more, or even signed up for a custom massage, which costs more but I bet would be fabulous.
This spa IS a special place. The spa is set inside a historical building, within the ancient Roman walls. Horse-drawn trams used to stop at this building, which was a part of the transport agency in the city. There is even a one-car tram on the grounds, which you can go inside and it is a sauna! Very cool.
I was surprised with how many different areas and baths the spa has. This is really an incredible space... but kind of weird too. It felt as if we had stepped into a different world with lots of people in white robes.
Mom and I first went into a large room with 'nests' which you can lie down inside and sink into the foam mattresses. There was also a red circular room, which had heated beds inside and was said to feel like the inside of a volcano. We also experienced relaxing on water beds, spraying perfume, and listening to music underwater.
There are three bath pools outside, with a gorgeous view of one side of the Roman walls and each pool is a bit different. After spending some time outside in each of the pools, we made our way back inside for an aperitivo, which was included in our entry fee and included champagne! Whoa.
Lastly, we went downstairs... not knowing what we would find. Well, the downstairs of the spa is like another world! There was a long hallway with doors and small rooms off either side. I would guess that there are about 20 different saunas, steam rooms, and baths off of this hallway. ...And we tried each one! Haha.
Some of the pieces of the downstairs that I remember most are: the roman bath tables - large marble beds-tables to lie down on and have warm water sprayed on you from above, the waterfall bath pools, the foot baths for a pedicure, the Japanese sauna - which was way too hot for us, aaaaand plenty more.
Funny enough, as we arrived and were checking in (around 5:30pm), the lady told us that the spa closes at midnight. Mom and I kind of laughed at that... thinking that we had no plans to stay quite that long! ...After experiencing the spa, though, I can see why she gave us that heads-up. We left the spa around 8:30pm or so... but could have definitely stayed longer, ate more, or even signed up for a custom massage, which costs more but I bet would be fabulous.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
PUMPKIN coffee and muffins
One of my goals for today was to not leave my apartment. : D
By that... I mean that I was looking forward to relaxing, drinking coffees, getting work done, packing for two upcoming trips, etc. etc.
It was FABULOUS having my mom in town for the past week and she helped out around my apartment a lot... but now I'm already thinking ahead to the upcoming conference and travels that need preparing for.
I'm definitely succeeding at my day's goal task-wise... but I did just venture outside. : )
Mom made some delicious pumpkin latte concentrate for me to have - and it's deeeelicious. I now have some extra pumpkin puree to use and figured I would make pumpkin muffins to enjoy.
Low and behold... no eggs in the fridge.
I contemplated knocking on my neighbors' doors... asking to borrow a couple of eggs... huffing and puffing included if need-be... (kidding)... (get it?!?)... buuut this thought quickly passed and a short walk to the Punto store near my place won.
About 20 minutes later, with eggs purchased and in a bag, I found that the day had turned from gray and damp to sunny and lovely! ...There is a small celebration of sorts going on in town tonight (Notte Bianca) and there is already live music and a bounce-house in the small piazza down the street. I also followed a scurrying lizard to my door.
Take THAT daily goal! ...Now... back home and ready to make PUMPKIN MUFFINS!
PS... I have enjoyed two lattes today - both including Mom's pumpkin spice concoction. : )
By that... I mean that I was looking forward to relaxing, drinking coffees, getting work done, packing for two upcoming trips, etc. etc.
It was FABULOUS having my mom in town for the past week and she helped out around my apartment a lot... but now I'm already thinking ahead to the upcoming conference and travels that need preparing for.
I'm definitely succeeding at my day's goal task-wise... but I did just venture outside. : )
Mom made some delicious pumpkin latte concentrate for me to have - and it's deeeelicious. I now have some extra pumpkin puree to use and figured I would make pumpkin muffins to enjoy.
Low and behold... no eggs in the fridge.
I contemplated knocking on my neighbors' doors... asking to borrow a couple of eggs... huffing and puffing included if need-be... (kidding)... (get it?!?)... buuut this thought quickly passed and a short walk to the Punto store near my place won.
About 20 minutes later, with eggs purchased and in a bag, I found that the day had turned from gray and damp to sunny and lovely! ...There is a small celebration of sorts going on in town tonight (Notte Bianca) and there is already live music and a bounce-house in the small piazza down the street. I also followed a scurrying lizard to my door.
Take THAT daily goal! ...Now... back home and ready to make PUMPKIN MUFFINS!
PS... I have enjoyed two lattes today - both including Mom's pumpkin spice concoction. : )
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
city messages - Verona
I enjoyed seeing various messages around the city of Verona... on bridges, buildings, columns...
Well... did you brush your teeth this morning??
Always a good reminder:
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Castel San Pietro Overlook - Verona
The young man that ran the B&B where we stayed (really an apartment with two rooms to rent out), showed us on a map the main places to see in the city. One of the things that he mentioned was a fabulous overlook of the city at Castel San Pietro. This was GREAT! I'm glad that we made it up here... it really didn't seem like a long walk or a big climb to get to this spot, which had an amazing view of the city across the river.
Before crossing the river, we could see the Castel San Pietro (our goal)... the top building with a rectangular-looking rooftop... that's where we went to!
Aaaaand the views! : )
Looking down the river to the right... a different-yet-still-beautiful view:
Via Sottoriva - Verona
I read about Via Sottoriva before Angela and I headed out for the day in Verona. This was one area that I knew I wanted to see. Via Sottoriva is a street in Verona (one street in from the river, leading to Ponte Pietro) and it is beautifully lined with historic buildings and the traditional archways. The colorful stretch was lovely to walk through... lined with little restaurants and shops.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Ponte Pietra - Verona
Ponte means bridge in English. One of the main bridges in Verona is the Ponte Pietra. Angela and I really enjoyed walking around Verona on a gorgeous day... we walked along the river and to the Ponte Pietra... heading to an overlook of the city that is located on the other side of the bridge. Below are some pictures taken of the bridge, as well as from the bridge... the view was great!
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