Day Trips

The term 'day trip', for me, is somewhat synonomous with 'school excursion'. I always liked them becasue it was away from school, though usually they involved some form of compulsory learning or homework, too. My day trips were full of fun and discovery, and I took my leisurely time doing so.

1. Treviso
I went to Treviso with Mum, back during week two of Italy. It was a really hot day, and we didn't have a map. Essentially, we just let our feet take us where they wanted to go. That was until we were completely lost! But during our time in Treviso I recalled many things from the time I was there last, back when I was in school.

2. Padova
I really liked Padova (we also had a map). It was a more pleasent day than in Treviso, the day before, and we knew where we were going. For me, it was also a new city to see, as I had seen many already. We started the day by walking by a bookshop (I tend to go in about 3 in every city i go to, I love them) and then started looking for some of the monuments that Chiara had told us to see. First up was a Church. There was also a Piazza on our list, an orologio (a clock), a park, and some other things that we went to find were recommendations on the map its self, such as San Antonio, which was stunning. We were also hoping to have lunch with Paride, but due to technilogical malfunctions, we were unable to meet. We also did some shopping, which always makes a day better than it already was.

3. Vicenza
Vicenza was my first day trip alone. It was a little bit lonely, as i waited 30minuti for a train da solo. Vicenza was really beautiful, and green, with many parks; upon leaving the ferrovia, there is a park, Campo Marzo. The streets were really pretty, with flowers hanging off balconies. Here I mainly walked around and browsed the shops. I couldn't find the way into Il Duomo of Vicenza but on the outside, it was very large. I also found the Teatro, but was feeling rather cheap that day, and didn't want to pay to get in, but the giardino was absolutely stunning, so I was happy just to be in there and sit for a little while. The Gardino di Scavi was also another beautiful garden, and i rested my tired feet there, too. While I waited for the train back home, I stayed in the Campo Marzo reading The adventures of Huckelberry Finn.

4. Venezia
I wanted to use this day just to walk around and to see more in more depth. I really wanted to return to Il Palazzo Ducale, so I walked along the winding parth to Piazza San Marco, and lined up. It was a shot queue, and I used my student card to score a discount. I love this palazzo, adorned in gold and the most beautiful tapastry. My favourite room is the room of Maps. It was the last time, too. It is really majestic. Sadly, though, I wasn't allowed to take photos, but I doubt any camera could see what the eyes see. I spent about one and a half hours in the palazzo. I explored every room. After the beautiful rooms of the palazzo, I moved in to the cells for ciminals, then crossed the ponte di sospiri for my last look at freedom... Just kidding, I came out alright. I also used my biglietto to get into the corner museum, which showcased many more artefacts of antiquity, medieval Europe and the renascimento. I didn-t recall a -no phot- sign, so i sneakily took a few photos. In Venezia, I also bought the most cool watch, from the most cool watch shop! Then I went to Venezia Mestre and did some more shopping/seeing a new city.

 Pretty Venetian houses

 Piazza San Marco

 Palazzo Ducale, clock

My dream library (the Corner Museum)

A very beautiful medieval book. 

I donated to the restoration and preservation of this wooden shield, so I feel that it is my right to have photo of it! (the Corner Museum)

 The very cool watch, that came in a can ('OClock', by 'FullSpot)

5. Castelfranco
Visiting Castelfranco was a half day trip, as it is very small, and I could see everything in a few hours. But the morning was relaxing, the weather was lovely, and I enjoyed a cafe con latte in a groovey cafe. I remember the castello from my visit there last time.

6. Ferrara
Ferrara is in la ragione di Emila-Romagna. It was exciting crossing the Po, not only because it is the most famouse fiume in Italy, but becasue it meant that we had left the Veneto, and we in E-R. Ferrara is the 'city of cyclists, Chiara told me, and it is not hard to believe when you are nearly getting hit and killed by i bici instead of le machine! There is a castello in Ferrara, and is very famous, becasue it has a self contained moat., the only in Europe. It's called Castello Estense. Also in Ferrara is the statue of Girolamo Savonarola, whos name I vaguely remember for Renaissance Italy. The Piazza was very nice, too, and there was a market there, where we bought some pane Pugliese, and some formaggio, yumm!

 Castello Estense

 Savonarola

   our pane Pugliese

7. Ravenna
Ravenna is famous for its Byzantine Churches, and they are absolutely stunning, as you look to the heavens, your eyes feast on the extraordinarily, detailed mosaics. They are really splendid mosaic, with tiles of many coulours, such as deep blue for the sky, gold, for the stars, green for grass. I couldn't stop looking, There were five monuments to see in Ravenna, and then another basilica to see a little bit out of the city centre. The best ones were San Vitale, and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia.  the mosaics were amazing. San Vitale was also very grand on the inside, with a mosaic floor, too. On our journey to the monuments, we also found Via Dante Alighieri, which also led to the tomb of Dante himself. I was very excited about this, and I knew that he wasn't buried in Firenze, I just couldn't remember where he really was. Dante bought back memories of the coolest 'study group' ever. After our day in Revenna, we stopped at Lido di Spina (the beach) on the way home, for a relax in the sand.

 San Vitale

 San Vitale

 the mausoleo

 the mausoleo

 the tomb of Dante Alighieri

 Dante's tomb

 Dante was burried here for one year

Basilia di San Apollinare in Classe

It has been great exploring the Veneto over the past few weeks, and also going to E-R to see Ferrara and Ravenna, but I know only have a few more days left in Volpago. Prague is awaiting me. 

Most likely, until then. 

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