Since this year abroad adventure began almost a year ago, not a single day has gone by when i've not felt like the luckiest bear in the world. This was especially the case last weekend when I was invited to Verona for a weekend with the Philippes. C'était vraiment un weekend merveilleux! Do you remember the last time we went to Verona back in October when I was whinging about missing trees and autumn leaves? Well i'm well and truly over that. Spring has sprung and Verona is quite frankly blooming.
Naked trees all lined up along the riverbank
This could possibly be my favourite photo ever. Meet the Philippes.
And because it wouldn't be a family outing without a traffic mirror reflection
On our last visit to Verona, Lois took us to this incredible little local cantina. Of the hand-written menu, mix-matched crockery, walls bursting with photos and posters variety. The food sublime, the prices extraordinarily cheap. By chance we stumbled across it again and piled ourselves into the clattering restaurant ready for a Veneto feast. It didn't disappoint!
How's that for a full fridge?
Find them here at La Taverna di Via Stella (closed monday evening & all wednesday)
Happy customers
This below is the old famous walk up a thousand steps, appreciate the view whilst gasping for air, stagger back down, pat yourself on the back with a drink and another view.
Once we were watered, rested and re-energised, it was time for some cultural stuff. You know, the walking around, building admiring, architecture appreciating, photo posing kind.
Some nice arches, columns and staircases...
L'Arena
But cultural stuff is thirsty business, anybody for a ginormous spritz?
Dinner was a much more sophisticated affair than lunch. Instead the walls were adorned with renaissance paintings, gold mirrors and brass lights, the menu bound and not a mix-matched item in sight. The food was also incredible, but we all agreed we'd preferred our little local taverna.
But you'll find Ristorante Maffei at the end of Piazza delle Erbe or here
But anyplace you get given a biscotti selection as impressive as this one gets a big thumbs up from me.
Then we headed home for a good nights sleep before the next days trip to Lake Garda.
Now Verona is beautiful, but Lake Garda is breathtaking. I dare every single one of you not to fall in love. Either with the lake itself, or a handsome fisherman/fisherwoman like in a D.H. Lawrence novel. Dotted around the lake are little villages and towns, all completely different in shape, size and type.
Peschiera del Garda has a peaceful calmness about it. The town's not very big, you can see everything you need to see in a few hours, so the best thing to do is to install yourself in a restaurant by the lake for a few hours and take it all in.
I think we can all agree that the Philippes are the epitome of French chic. If I ever learn the secret I'll let you know! Although I'm starting to think it's a kind of chic that just can't be emulated, maybe the not-so-secret secret is simply being French.
Once you've taken in all you can from you waterside seat, walk along the waterfront.
Mucky window reflection
Merci mille fois à la famille Philippe pour un weekend inoubliable, à la prochaine fois!
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