Don't know whether Whitey has done his Lake Garda/ Venice jaunt yet, but something came to mind about the latter. We were based in Bardolino and booked a days Coach visit to Venice via the Tour operator First Choice. We were allocated a time slot to be ready for collection and the Coach then did a milk run picking up from the various hotels around the Lake. When the coach arrived, there were people from various countries on board re- Swiss, Swedish, Russian, Peru and Germany. What we hadn't realised is that some tourists book in odd numbers, so as last to board the coach, it transpired me and my wife, couldn't sit together which spoiled our day really. It sounds daft, but if you're doing the organised trip, make sure you ask if you can be seated together on the coach and whether you can be seated where you have views through the front windscreen. Enjoy.
Some good advice on here. If you’ve not been yet Whitey, I’d add a visit to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. Not as busy but sensationally stuffed with frescos by Tintoretto. A special place. Also Ristorante ai Barbicano just near Campo Santa Maria Formosa is a back street family place with superb food.
Must admit, Naples is the place I've least liked in Italy. Still enjoyed it, 1 euro for Aperol in the Spanish quarter... cant complain, Vesuvius and the amazing Herculaneum... but Christ, vandalised churches, the evident fascism and the unbelievably surly people (women especially). Such a pity, because wipe away the decay and bitterness, and it could be beautiful.
I've been back three weeks! Cheers though. Loved Lake Garda and everywhere we visited, even Venice but I wouldn't go there (Venice) again. It's stupidly expensive. Good to visit the once I think. I'll revisit Lake Garda though. Unbelievable place. Thanks for everyone's advice etc. It's coming home...
I'd strongly recommend Turin and the Emiglia Romana region. We spent about a week hopping around seeing Bologna, Parma, Modena and Ferrara. Hardly visited by tourists, wonderfully low key and the food is outrageously good! if you visit Turin, you're not far from Milan either, and the Navigli region by the canals has been developed really well. Just an hours train between the two. Start in one, finish in the other.
Fantastic place isn't it.? Me and my missus love going there.? Did you manage to visit Malcesinine or Salo.? The ferry makes it so much easier to get round the Lake. We've been five times now and use a family owned hotel in Bardolino the Hotel Bologna. They send us an Easter and Xmas card every year. Really lovely family Fam Andreoli. The only place I've ever visited whilst I was over there that disappointed me was Milan. Parts of it reminded me of Attercliffe.! The coach took us within yards of the San Siro Stadium. That was a sight to behold. In Central Milan some of the boutiques keep their doors locked. You hold your credit card up to a little aperture on the window. If they like the look of it, they let you in. When I held mine, I think he jerked his thumb pointing down the Mall and I'm sure he mouthed summat like " Primark pal" at me.!
