Ciao Veneto

The weather has not broken, actually more cold rain today, but when you have lemons, you make lemonade. Cappuccino in bed while Brad had his American breakfast and read the NYTimes in the lovely garden room.

We’ve not really explored the property because of the rain, but the Villa is well sited with lovely gardens and three terraces leading to an infinity pool overlooking the valley. The hotel rambles on in a hidden way. Guests approach the breakfast room from all parts of the garden where their rooms are nestled. The town of Asolo is the same way, it looks unassuming and tiny, and every corner is another area to explore.

The roads are so narrow and ancient that we are always sure they are one way, then a Fiat comes roaring by from the opposite direction.

And there are truly lovely art galleries, and textile weavers, and cafes jewelers and $900 loafers in many windows.

We decided to take a drive, hoping that the rain would stop, so we went into Treviso today. This is the Commune capital and has a university and many museums. The River Sile rings the city and has lovely walkways and even boat rides along it.

We went to two of the Civic Museums, Museo Bailo, 20th Century works and sculpture by Arturo Martini and then to the Museo Santa Caterina, which was extensive and creatively displayed.

We were the only folks in the place and got to take our time and be silent with the art.

The day wasn’t without its share of frustrations. The art galleries have no parking lots (Dorothy, you’re not in Kansas anymore). This is an ancient city – every inch is built on in stone. We hadn’t anticipated this, so we drove and drove to find a place to put the car, and then….. the car wouldn’t start again. “No key found”.

Call Hertz – no English representatives, wait for a call back, still not good English, wait some more. It finally started, but when we did get an English rep, our choices were to be towed or once we got it started to drive back to Venice for a replacement car. We are keeping the car and have decided it was an isolated incident.

This is an ugly picture, but this is what I mean about no place to park anything. The crane is INSIDE THE BUILDING and the roof is opened to let it out. No place to put a crane!

We made it home, a little rattled (exquisite pizza for lunch helped calm us), and decided to spend the day at the Centro Benessere – Wellness Center. You reserve it just for the two of you and Svetlana massages you (while schooling you on Ukrainian politics) then you have the steam, sauna and rainfall showers to yourself. No pictures, but you get the drift.

A lovely conversation with our bartender and waiter from Abruzzi and the Ivory Coast, and a light dinner and off to bed. We discussed Rocky Marciano, the Siena Palio and the 72 languages spoken in the Ivory Coast. What a treasure trove of employees this place has!

I will never call red cabbage anything but Cavolo Violetta again!

Off to Verona in the morning. Our host there just wrote to confirm everything and with “I remain in your service, madam”. I love Italy.