Tuscany is best experienced via a car journey. It becomes a real pleasure to drive through the hilly roads, the stops to see the landscape that is covered by the wine trees, over the hills atop with a typical villa in old Tuscan style architecture.
Ferrara was one of the first cities in Italy that was built using specific architectural plans, intent for use to make fully functional and visually appealing. Ferrara, together with the Po Delta River belongs to the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE. I just had to see the real “modern” renaissance city that became a UNESCO sight!
Piazza Il Campo is the beating heart of this city, especially during the annual horse racing “Palio di Siena” which we witnessed. They take place exactly there, under the Torre del Mangia (The Tower above) and the Palazzo Publico (The building on the side). It was the first city that I saw the city square that was built in the shape of an amphitheatre – the sign of Palio’s importance for Siena’s communities.
There is always a place like this for everyone in different parts of the world… I realised that the ‘place’ for Daria and I is Venice, particularly when I stood with my tripod trying to capture the sunset over Rialto Bridge.
The entire day was sunny, but it was just when we climbed the nearby hill to see the Medieval Church of Santa Maddalena, with the Odle Mountains in the background that clouds started to cover the sky. We didn’t run but instead, we stayed in place to embrace nature’s craft. And soon enough, we were soaked! This rain in the Dolomites is very heavy!
You will immediately notice when you’re in Misurina in the Dolomites, that the air will be unlike what you’ve ever experienced. The lake Misurina and its surroundings are believed to have good air for healing respiratory diseases. From our experience, we found that breathing 1754 meters above sea level wasn’t easy, but it may just be that the views were simply breath-taking.
I was not only amazed by the beautiful old town of Verona but also especially by the landscape around the city. The Adige River meanders through Verona and offers a welcome balance to the crowded downtown area. Since every tourist must visit the balcony of Romeo and Juliet, as well as the Arena, you often have the area along the river alone for yourself – while 300 people are standing under a two square meters sized balcony.
Bergamo has the big advantage that you don’t have to search long to find a high view point. Being split in upper and lower city you always have a good view over the lower new part of Bergamo (Città Bassa). With the panorama of mountains in the back, Bergamo is still one of my favourite places in Italy.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo was founded in 1137 and it is located in the center of the Upper Town of Bergamo. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go inside during our day in Bergamo, but also from outside it is an impressive church. Remarkable are the lion statues to find on the entrance of the church since they could be a sign that the church once was used as a court as well.