Week 2 Moniga, Lake Garda - Italy

VERONA

Lake Garda has certainly lived up to our expectations and as we chose to stay on the less popular west side, it is much less crowded and more to our taste. On Monday we set off to catch the bus to Desenzano and then the train to Verona. First impressions on leaving the train station were that Verona was big, noisy and very, very busy. We got our free city map from the Tourist Office and set off to explore the old town. First problem was crossing the road. Even with zebra crossings and green lights for pedestrias, the motorists don't stop - Kath was not impressed!

Into the old town and wandered round some shops and old buildings including Juliet's house and the famous balcony (of Romeo and Juliet's fame - reputedly) 

We also saw the famous Arena, built in the first century AD, it is an open air roman amphitheatre made from pink marble. It is remarkabley well preserved despite a 12th century earthquake that destroyed most of it's outer wall. It is now Verona's Opera House and can seat up to 30,000 people. We would have loved to have gone to the opera but with a price ticket in excess of 300 Euros we gave it a miss. There were also excavations in one of the main piazzas of times long ago. 

To escape the crowds and the heat of the midday sun we ventured to the Giardino Giusti, an oasis in the heat of Verona. The gardens were created towards the end of the 15th Century by Agostino Giusti, Knight of the Venetian republic and squire of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. They were a haven of peace and tranquility and we were glad that we made the effort to seek them out.   

Some artists were also in the gardens gaining inspiration and getting on with their paintings. I find the camera easier and quicker - Kath calls me a philistine!

After another hot and long day we made our way back to the train station via an ice cream parlour. Once back in Moniga we stopped at our favourite cafe which looks out from the square to the mountains and enjoyed a drink - cold and alcoholic - before heading back to the camp site for a late dinner.

After the heat of Monday the inevitable happened. Terrific thunderstorm with some heavy rain. A good chance to catch up on domestic chores though!

DESENZANO

On Friday we decided to visit the town of Desenzano. We had briefly passed through en route to Verona and we decided it was well worth a visit. Desenzano is situated on Lake Garda's southern shore and is a key place for all transport links by road, rail and sea. We took the early bus and spent a very pleasant few hours exploring, sight seeing, eating ice cream and of course stopping for a Spritze. 

The weekend has seen us hold up in the van experiencing more thunderstorms and heavy rain. The weather forecast looks better for Monday so we have decided to stay an extra day so that we can pack everything away while it's dry and then we hope to move on to Venice - but that depends on the weather.!!! 

So until next week, Wi Fi permitting.

Love to all

Harry and Kath xxx