We stopped in the small town of Greve in Chianti for lunch and do some shopping at the town’s quaint stores.
After lunch, we headed to the Castello di Verrazzano estate for a guided tour of the winery and a tasting. Our guide was very informative and humorous, and we really enjoyed the experience. The grounds were gorgeous and since we were visiting at the beginning of the harvest, we had the opportunity to see some interesting things. While we were there, they were in the process of harvesting the grapes for their dessert wine. We got to see all of the grapes hanging from the ceiling in preparation. It was really cool. The tasting was also really great. The wines were all very good quality. We got to try a white wine, a rose, and two reds. We also tried the wines with delicious cheese, bread, and olive oil, as our guide informed us that different foods changes the taste of the wines, as well. It was really interesting and we all really enjoyed it.
For dinner, we decided to put together a picnic to take back to our hotel. We grabbed some bread and cheese, delicious balsamic glaze, and some fruit and nuts. Oh, and of course, wine! Our hotel was nestled in the hills and the rooms had balconies with stunning views of the landscape. It was a really lovely evening to enjoy outside on our balcony.
The next morning, we were up early to head in the direction of Verona. On our way, we stopped at Sirmione, a town located on Lake Garda, a stunning lake that is a favorite resort area for both Germans and Italians. The town was so quaint and the views of the lake were wonderful. It was really crowded, though – definitely a favorite tourist spot! We had a lovely lunch outside, then walked around to take some photos and do some shopping.
In the late afternoon, we continued the drive to Verona. I have to admit, Verona really exceed everyone’s expectations. It was so romantic – and not just because it is the setting of Romeo and Juliet! The squares throughout the city were very picturesque – so many beautiful buildings. We had a really nice time strolling through the streets before dinner. The city also has a famous arena (a large amphitheater), which is similar to Rome’s Colosseum, but on a smaller scale. It was built in 30 AD and is the third largest in Italy. Pretty impressive! They still perform shows inside the arena today. In fact, some of our friends visited Verona this summer and went to a performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Arena. Later on, we enjoyed a delicious meal outside. It was pasta again (surprise, surprise), but the food was delicious, albeit slow – even for Italy’s standards! The weather was very pleasant though, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere.
After breakfast the next morning, we got back in the car for our final leg of the trip. We were on our way back to Munich, but not before driving through the Alps and making pit stops at Garmisch and Linderhof. The weather was beautiful and very clear, so we were also treated to some absolutely breathtaking views of the Alps during this drive.
Garmisch is a popular mountain resort town in Bavaria. People come here to ski in the winter and hike in the summer. Also nearby is Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze, which Matt and I both visited back in 2011. Garmisch also hosted the winter Olympics in 1936. I’m not sure if we were just in the wrong area or what, but the town itself was a bit underwhelming. We did however, enjoy a lovely Greek meal for lunch, which gave us the sustenance we needed to sightsee at the Linderhof Palace.
Linderhof Palace is one of crazy King Ludwig II’s famous palaces. King Ludwig II built several elaborate palaces throughout Bavaria – most of which he never really used. Neuschwanstein (the inspiration for Disney’s castle) is the most famous of course, but Linderhof is also very special in its own right. Although the size does not compare, it is easy to see that Versailles was the inspiration for Linderhof. There are only 4 real rooms within the palace, but each one was decorated elaborately and spectacularly with many opulent details. The gardens on the grounds are also very beautiful. The most unique part of the palace however, in my opinion, is the “Venus Grotto.” The Venus Grotto is a completely artificial cave, built on the grounds of the palace. The “décor” inside was inspired by a scene from a Wagner opera. The main purpose of the grotto was to be a stage, or theater, of sorts for all kinds of performances. It was also very technologically advanced for its time – electrical lighting was in use, as well as a rudimentary heating system. Really impressive, but also a colossal waste of the royal family’s money! Could explain why King Ludwig II mysteriously “drowned” at the age of 41, when he was known to be a strong swimmer. So much intrigue in these royal families!
When we were done touring and palace and the grounds, our trip was pretty much concluded, and we headed back to Munich to relax for a few days. We had a wonderful time in Italy. So many beautiful sights, so much delicious pizza, pasta, gelato, and wine. And of course, quality time with Mom and Dad Shoaf! Another wonderful trips in the books.
No comments:
Post a Comment