Harry's Bar, Harry's Dolci: Cipriani in Venezia

On my final day in Venezia we decided to take a trip to Giudecca, the long thin island not far from San Marco square in central Venice. A short trip on public transport (ferry) Linea number 2 took us to stop Planca Giudecca at around 1.30 pm,
peak time for a light lunch.  The temperature was 30 degrees plus, so somewhere in the shade on the lagoon's edge was  the place to go.  Not wanting to go into the nearest restaurant we strolled along to Fondamenta San Biagio and a restaurant that took our eyes, an all in white terrace with a floating white canopy right on the water's edge.  It wasn't until I read the
menu (with prices) that I realised we had inadvertently landed at Harry's Dolci, a less formal side of one of the Cipriani family's upmarket eateries. Service was courteous, food was simple and well presented, table cloth and serviettes were of white linen,  acqua frizzante was cold,  the waves of the lagoon almost lapped at our feet and the busy movements of hundreds of various boating vehicles kept us entertained and relaxed: postal service, tour groups in private boats, wooden taxis, builders carrying heavy equipment, ferries with trucks on board, even a "Red Bus" (in this case a red boat) for tourists' views of the city by boat.

kept us entertained and relaxed.

ciaobellatours.com.au/tours/Piemonte_wine_food.html

Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania Sicilia Italy

Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania.  on the night of Friday June 10, a magnificent performance of Spartacus - Balletto Classico.

Inside Ceiling

This narrow "street" on the left side of the theatre building is now named after Maria Callas... Bellini's famous opera Norma was one of her favourites, which she sang here at Teatro Massimo Bellini.

Inside the reception foyer... never-ending mirrors.

The sophisticated chandelier in the foyer / reception room

Vincenzo Bellini

Bellini's statue in the foyer

Corri la Vita: combating breast cancer in Florence

through the Boboli Grdens, along the Arno River

You'd be forgiven for  thinking that Firenze / Florence was welcoming Ciao Bella Tours to the city. Hot pink everywhere.Thousands of people (and dogs) turned out on September 27 2015 for the 12th version of the walk or run through the city of Firenze , with the focus on combating breast cancer. Salvatore Ferragamo is the major sponsor.

The shorter walk of 4.6 km commenced at the Piazza del Duomo,  and the route took us along the Arno, across two bridges ( Carraia, and alle Grazie), past the Pitti Paace, through the Boboli Gardens, up to the Forte Belvedere, and finally to  Piazza Signoria.  Men, women, children of all ages, babies in prams or rucksack type carriers on the back of Mamma or Babo, dogs on leaches (many wearing the pink tshirt), all wearing the hot pink tshirts with a number attached..  We spotted  a number in the 40,000s

Afterwards, back to friends' home for a huge Sunday lunch with the family

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Ristorante Torre di Angelucco, Martina Franca

What a find! Chef Angela Pagano provided a wonderful meal for us in September 2015. It's a small restaurant, well set up with a modern feel to it, excellent service and food suggestions, and EXCELLENT food.  Martina Franca is one of the most beautiful towns in Puglia, Italy - especially at night.

Otranto by wagon train

 We took the wagon train from Lecce to Otranto, with only one change of train at Maglie.

Although it is forbidden to cross the train lines (see Photo number 3) it is the only way to get to the little trains.  These wagon trains run infrequently .

At some stations there is still manual changing of the tracks.

Lake Garda. Sirmione, Bardalino, Garda, San Zeno di Montagna

The ferries on Lake Garda from Sirmione are frequent and on time.  Check out www.navigazionelaghi.it  or infogarda@navigazionelaghi.it .

Our ferry departed Sirmione port at 10.55, arriving across the lake at Bardolino exactly 40 minutes later. We walked from Bardolino to Garda along the seashore,  "Passeggiata Riva Lunga" almost all on good pavement surface, and flat.  Passing little "beaches" of pebbles, many bars and snack shops, seats to stop and relax and enjoy the view, flowers, trees, Magnolias, swans, ducks, camping sites, families enjoyng their day at the beach, olive trees, pine trees,.  Not rushing, with a few stops, the walk took about 50 minutes to arrive at Garda.

Excellent Bus terminal information, not far from the port.  Bus to the mountains to escape the heat to San Zeno di Montagne, where there were approximately  4 tourists.

Back to home base of Sirmione on the last ferry at 7.15pm.

Il Ceppo. Food wonderful food in Vicenza

 Il Ceppo in Corso Palladio, 196, Vicenza reminds me of Peck in Milano, except that Ceppo is 1/10th the size.  The food is well presented, with much of their offerings made in house.

They also do A great business with Bacala, if you like that fish.  try their Bistrot del Bacala.. Sotobotega.

In these photos you can find: Provola Affumicata Fresca at a cost of E 19.90 per kg, Tortelloni con ricotta e spinaci at E 29 per kg, and a great variety of cheeses.

The top photo indicates a Festival della Sopressa - the house speciality at E. 23 per kg.

A light lunch outside on the footpath of a pedestrian road, opposite the " MUST SEE" Tempio di Santa Corona.