Go west, young man/woman

1:00 AM in Cremona.

(7:00 PM in New York)

On the Ferry

Card game aboard

Another long day, but one that brought us some 140 miles westward across northern Italy. Our journey began as we exited our coach bus and watched it roll on board a large ferry on the other side of Lido Island. As it rolled ahead, we all followed behind on foot and climbed aboard up to the top deck to enjoy a thirty minute sail across the Venetian lagoon. We watched as old Venice passed on our right and then faded into the morning sunlight, while at the same time we turned our heads forward toward the mainland and what would be the beginning of our extended highway ride west. 

Some of us stayed inside to spend our time in other ways.

Staying warm inside

With Colin Murphy, our English guide

The Arena

Marble street

Our first stop was Verona, the city of the Capulets and the Montegues, the city where a young man from one clan ardently professed his love for a young lady from another rival clan -- the city of Romeo and Juliet. We stopped for a photo just inside the Roman wall which dates back to the 1st century BC, and stood with the Arena as our backdrop. The word "arena" means sand, and so the name derives from the sand that once covered the amphitheater's floor. Afterward we walked on toward the famous "Juliet's Balcony" by way of the main shopping street which was paved with smoothed and shining marble. As we passed through, on the right we found the entrance to the small courtyard wherein we looked upon the famous balcony. 

Juliet's Balcony

Sirmione

After saying farewell to Juliet, we had free time to wander about and find ourselves something for lunch, and afterward, boarded the bus once again for the next leg of our journey: an added stop in the small resort town of Sirmione, the place where the great opera singer Maria Callas took up residence for a good portion of her career. Regarding Sirmione, does the word "posh" mean anything to you? It was simply gorgeous! Though the narrow streets and old stone buildings seemed not crowded at all, one could easily imagine what it must be like during the bustling months of summer.

The Duomo and bell tower, Cremona

Next, we were off to Cremona, the hometown of Antonio Stradivari, and the place where we would soon have our dinner of pumpkin ravioli and veal. Our hotel is here as well.

The rest of our evening was pretty low-key since most of us were tired from the long day and many stops along the way, but a few of us headed out into the town square in front of the duomo and spend about an hour chatting. The place was deserted, and it seemed we had the entire 12th century square to ourselves.

And did someone say french fries?

French Fries!

That was our last bit of business before 11:00 PM.

Tomorrow we head to Milan at 8:30 in the morning. We'll be there all day, only to return by 10:30, 11:00 PM.

I'll tell you all about it then!