North Italy with kids, August 2011

Travel diary written by Antonio (Madrid, Spain)
This summer my wife, two daughters and I wanted to do something different in the north of Italy. We were very fortunate to contact Sergio at italianfeelings, who from the very beginning transmitted to us his passion for his country. He understood perfectly the kind of trip we were looking for.
We first stayed in the area of the Dolomites at the Farmhouse Cirum, near Arabba.

It really seems that time has stopped in this beautiful Alpine landscape.I have to highlight the enormous kindness and generosity of the lovely owner, Mrs. Esther, we enjoyed an unforgettable stay. She took care of us with all the details and we still remember her delicious breakfasts prepared with local products.
This Dolomites area is simply spectacular. We enjoyed 4 days the mountain in its purest state.

Our highlights: the Marmolada glacier, the lovely lake Misurina, a walk through a canyon at Sotoguda, the Livinallongo valley, the lovely towns of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Corvara, Canazei, ... and the cablecar up to Portavescovo Arabba, with its walk at 2700 metre altitude. Simply unforgettable.

After these days of amazing nature we moved to San Pietro in Cariano, a village 15 minutes from Verona. We stayed at the Corte Casetta, a farmhouse surrounded by vineyards.

Totally different from the Dolomites area, but very beautiful as well.
In the farmhouse we were superbly served by Luisa and her husband Matteo.
The stay was very comfortable, we had delicious breakfasts and dinners in the middle of the vineyards.
Our kids (12 and 8 years old) had fun at Lake Garda, where we had a swim, visited the Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium, the Adventure Jungle Park and the natural waterfalls Molina park.
From Corte Casetta we visited several cities, enjoying beautiful Verona (with its Roman amphitheatre "Arena", the Duomo, Erbe Square, and Castelvecchio bridge amongst others), Padua with its spectacular San Antonio`s Cathedral and Scrovegni Chapel.
We ended the trip in the charm of Venice with its San Marco square and its magnificent Basilica, the Grand Canal, the Venetian lagoon and the island of Murano.
Thanks to all the advice Sergio gave us about places to visit and where to eat we have had a great holiday.
I want to emphasize that Sergio not only was responsible for organizing the trip and provide us with information, but he was all the time contacting these 2 Farmhouses to make sure we arrived without problems.
When you're 2000 kilometres from home, these kind of initiatives are very appreciated.
Thank you very much Sergio for everything and I hope you continue to transmit to everyone your enthusiasm for your precious country!

Practical advice to visit Venice, the Italian pearl.

It's not easy to talk about Venice, this magic city which is a labyrinth in the water, with 354 bridges connecting 118 islands!
In this article we just want to give you some advice to make your visit to the "Pearl of the Adriatic" unforgettable:
1 – Wear comfortable shoes, in order to explore the beautiful streets;
2 – Get a serious map of Venice, which highlights all the streets, little squares, channels, and so on;
3 – Buy the very good guide Corto Sconto. Itinerari fantastici e nascosti di Corto Maltese a Venezia, written by Guido Fuga and Lele Vianello and available in English once in Venice;
4 – Get lost in Venice, the best way of living the city is trailing off the beaten tracks.

It's best to get to Venice by train, leaving the car at the train station between Padua and Mestre. It will be much cheaper and more relaxing.

Once off the train in Santa Lucia Venice train station you can either start to walk or get a "vaporetto", the most common water public transport of Venice.

Famous places

San Marco square
The most beautiful living room of Europe, Napoleon said just after he invaded Venice.
It's even more spectacular when there's high water in Venice.
The most famous bar in San Marco square is Bar Florian, where Casanova used to spend his afternoons.
A drink in this area is a kind of luxury, be careful with the bill…

Canal Grande
It´s definitely worth gliding through the Canal Grande by vaporetto, you can't miss the spectacular churches and palaces.


Rialto Bridge
Architectonic wonder, always full of people.

San Marco Basilica
You can´t miss it, it´s the perfect synthesis of the history of art, with its byzantine statues and mosaics and wonders of the XVIII century.
It's best to book in advance in order to skip the very long queues.

Clock Tower
Its astronomical clock has been beating out the time for Venice for more then 500 years. See if you can spot the statue of the Three Wise Men come out.

San Marco Campanile (bell tower)
Enjoy the fantastic panorama from the top of the tower 96 metres high.

Doges Palace
You can book a visit to the "secret itinerary", and see the torture hall and the entire secret passageway.

Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute
Baroque architecture, built by the Venetian inhabitants asking their beloved Madonna for help during the plague of peste which killed many people in 1630.
It took more then one million posts to build the church, which also houses paintings of Tiziano.

Ghetto
The first one in history, created in 1516 to protect and segregate the Jews.
Nowadays in the Ghetto, famous for Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice", there is still a thriving Jewish community and it's possible to visit the Jewish Museum.

These famous places are normally full of tourists, so if you want to see another Venice, the "mamma" who embraces you in its "osterie" (Italian pubs) and experience daily local life, then you'll just have to forget the yellow posters which indicate the touristic route and get lost!

EATING
Venice is known to be expensive and with very bad customer service so be warned!!
We (link italianfeelings.com) have been looking for "trattorie" and "osterie", little family restaurants and pubs where the quality is secured:
- Trattoria Nonno Risorto
- Osteria da Alberto
- Osteria Ai Canottieri (very good fish restaurant)
- Osteria da Dante
- Osteria Gam Gam (Kosher food)
- Trattoria Al Gatto Nero
- Osteria dalla Marisa

Also, in the whole of Veneto and north east of Italy it is customary have an aperitif and sip a glass of wine with some friends before lunch or dinner.
In Venice this is called "ombretta", and the wine goes together with "cicheti", a sort of little tapas with Parma ham or sopressa (local tender/sweet salami with garlic and black pepper), artichokes or anchovies mmmmm.
This tradition is not bad at all, is it?


CURIOS PLACES
You should ask the venetians to explain the history and legends of the following places:
- Sotoportego Zurlin
- the "Gobbo"in the Rialto Market
- Biasio, the butcher of Venice
- Desdemona's house
- the "Tits bridge",in San Samuele
- the door nr. 963 A, behind Rialto Market

WHERE TO SLEEP
In order that you and Venice itself can sleep properly at night we suggest that you stay in the Venice land, close to Venice but at the same time enjoying the peace and quiet atmosphere offered by the Venetian countryside.
We propose Agritourisms and Bed&Breakfasts which guarantee quality, familiar treatment and genuine and healthy agriculture products.
Please contact us for more information.
Ciao
Sergio at italianfeelings