The scent of Venice
I know it is a bit late for my tale, but I shall excuse myself, as I have been quite busy with my studies and I could not neglect (nor will I ever) my loved one. So, here it is, my story about the wonderful trip we took to Italy last month.
The longest hours
It was a short break after the exams and I could not wait to get away from it all. I had imagined and pictured beautiful sights and wonderful music, all savoured with a nice glass of wine and some fine Italian cooking. And all this was about to become reality soon. The day had come, the bags were packed, and we got to the airport just in time, that is 2 hours before our flight. Everything went well, until I realized that it was 2 o’clock pm and we weren’t even close to leaving. I instantly imagined that the plane had a delay…but I could have never pictured what I was about to find out. I hear a woman talking close to where we were, and she was saying that her son had called the information desk and the flight was delayed for 4 hours. Consequently, I stood there, angry and feeling idle, while my baby tried to calm me down. The company did not annouce us of anything for another 1 hour and a half, when they finally admitted that there was a 4 hour delay. We weren’t given any explanation, but they tried to bribe us with sandwiches. I needn’t tell you it didn’t work. After another 3 hours, we were told that there would be a further delay of another 2 hours and that the plane would leave at 8 o’clock pm. A 6 hour delay, because, apparently, the plane could not take off due to bad weather conditions, but there was no clear explanation. I could have never imagined.
Meanwhile, my aunt was waiting for us in Venice. But when she got to the airport, she found out that the plane wasn’t landing there, because it was supposed to land in Treviso, 30 km away from Venice. The extra-trip added to the delay and it turned out to be an incredibly long day for all of us.
We finally landed at Treviso at around 10 o’clock pm, Italian time and we were absolutely exhausted. Moreover, during the flight there had been constant turbulences and I cannot say I was at my confortable hour.
Abano Terme
The first day we decided to get some rest and, because it rained a little in the morning, we planned to go out for a walk during the afternoon. The frugal Italian breakfast was perfect, as I couldn’t wait to taste some home made cappuccino.
Later that day we went on a long walk through Abano Terme, the town where my aunt lives and it was very relaxing, a change of pace. Abano Terme is a town full of hotels, very clean and peacefull, and it’s a real pleasure to walk its almost empty streets. In Abano you can find beautiful parks and a lot of stores, nice little cafes and coquettish restaurants, basically a lot of places to indulge yourself in any way you can imagine. The best part of the town is “il centro pedonale”, where cars are not allowed, which makes it a very quiet and pretty area.
In the evening, we went to eat at the restaurant where my auntie works. It is called Ancora (=again) and it was very cute and exulted a friendly atmosphere. For 3 whole hours we enjoied a wonderful meal: pizza, salads and ice-cream, and though it may not seem a lot, you should go check out those Italian dishes for yourself! I discovered a new, absolutely delicious type of pizza: it’s called “Pizza ai porcini e grana”, with that king of mushrooms that is not very common, but incredibly tasty. I strongly recommend it! 😀 We had some white fizzy wine, “frizzante” as they call it, and some red one and I must admit I was a bit tipsy, but the mood called for it. The ice-cream was delicious, garnished with strawberries and syrup…a real treat! When we left, we didn’t really fit ]n our jeans anymore, but no one really cared. 🙂
Padova, the elegant city
Next on the list was Padova, a city near Abano, one of the biggest in the region. After yet another rainy morning, the sun finally decided to make an appearance and we were very glad to have its company during our walk through Padova.
If you go to Padova the first thing you must see is Prato della Vale, which is the biggest square in Europe. You cand admire the statues and the sun that falls perfectly upon the grass at any time of day. You’ll feel like in the time of kings and queens, because the square is surounded by a small river. All around Prato della Vale there are old buildings and a beautiful cathedral. It was quiest when we passed throught it, but during the summer it is full of young people sitting and enjoying a good conversation. Padova has also one of the best universities in Italy, so there is always something to do there.
One of the main sights in Padova, or Padua, is the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, that was built in 1330. Though we were not allowed to take pictures, I’m not sorry, because there is no way to describe the wonderful details of the cathedral, its greatness or its beautiful history. My only advice is to go see it for yourselves.
Next, you shoul stop by Pedrocchi Café, one of the oldest and biggest cafés in the world. Byron and Stendhal went there often, so be careful, it’s quite pricy. We passed by there in the evening, as we walked the beautiful streets of Padua. The centre of the city is beautiful, packed with stores that would make any woman crave for all things beautiful and fashionable. Dior, Versace, Dolce&Gabana, etc. … they were all there. For now, thery’re unreachable, but, who knows, maybe someday. 🙂
It’s just like riding a bike
The next day we decided to have some nice quiet time at home, but in the afternoon my boyfriend taught me into riding the bike on the streets of Abano, as there were separate tracks for this purpose. I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was 14, but it felt soooo nice to move around! We rode for about 2 hours and covered about 7-8 km, but it was so much fun! If I could do here, at home, it would be great exercise, but I’m to scared of the traffic to go and just ride a bike in Bucharest.
The evening was marked by a large gathering of friends and relatives and we made pasta with “cozze e vongoli”, 2 types os seaschells. Personally, I enjoy them, but my lovely boyfriend didn’t seem to get along so great with the dish.
Italian food
When in Italy, you must forget all about your diet and enjoy every type of dish you want to, because it’s hard to find such delicious cooking elsewhere. Remeber, pizza and pasta are a must, as every combination of ingredients is a succes! You must also try the salads, though, I have to warn you, they are enormous. The sweets are also incredible: “cantucci” are some of my favourites. Don’t forget to try some sea fruits and ” acciuda sotto sale”, a kind of fish cooked in salt. The wine that goes with everything is Chianti and for a snack, forget the chips and junk food and taste some of the extremely diverse “bruschetti” (bread with garlic, olive oil, tomatoes and…everything else you like!). All in all, it’s time for a treat for your appetite in Italy!
These are “chiacchiere”, special sweets made for the Venice Carnival.
The scent of Venice
When we arrived in Italy, my first question was about the weather in Venice, as I knew that there had been some trouble with high water (“aqua alta”) and I was affraid that we wouldn’t be able to go. And of course, that was the case. I tried not to dispaird, as the main reason we had went to Italy was to see Venice and I wouldn’t leave the country until I saw the canals and the “ponti” (bridges). So, the day before we left we took the train and we decided to take our chances.
We bought our tickets and we jumped happily on the train. Although she has been living in Italy for almost 10 years now, my auntie had only once taken the train. So, as I was sitting and looking at the tickets, I realized that we should have checked them before we got on the train (different system). So that’s what the big machine in the station was for! (slap om the forehead). In order not to pay a nice fine, we decided to get off at the next station and check our tickets there. When we got off the train, I saw one of the those machines and I sitting in front of it with tickets in my hand, but with no reaction at all (I don’t know why). My boyfriend came up to me and rushed me to check the tickets, and we even managed to get on the same train! (Thanks, baby!) 😀 Of course, we couldn’t stop laughing.
Another few minutes and we were approaching our destination. One can expect to leave the train station and not bump into a canal, but that’s not the case. Once you walk past the doors, Venice is there, all there!
Each step is magical in that city. It was a wonderful day, the sun was shining in the most romantic possible way and the weather was perfect. Just for us. 🙂 Venice was getting ready for the Carnival (“La fiera in maschera” – The beast with a mask), that was to start in 3 days. There were all types of masks and disguises and the windows of all the shops were so wonderfully decorated that one could not help to start dreaming.
Venice is a mix of passion and beauty, of silence and colour, of magic and an inexplicable sense of wonder. Venice is more than a place, it is a feeling, the perfume of memories that stays forever on your skin. It is a misterious emotion that makes you touch history and breathe the most beautiful stories ever to be told.
We walked, on and on, over bridges and wonderful canals, taking pictures along the way and barely talking, so as not to disturbe the spell of the city that had captured us all. I believe that it was the most romantic walk I will ever take. Baby, you and me – we are perfect! Don’t you dare to forget that. I just wanted to take it all in and bring it home with me. As I’m writing, I’m living every moment of it and it feels just as perfect.
After hours of walking through narrow streets and admiring all the beauty Venice has to offer, we finally arrived in Piazza San Marco (San Marco Sqaure), the most famous place in the city. That is just the climax of anything you’ve ever imagined about Venice: it is wide and elegant, and San Marco Cathedral is absolutely majestic! There is also Saint Mark’s Campanile (St. Mark’s Bell) there, which gives the square its almost heavenly look. The pigeons are very friendly, but cannot be fooled into coming without a promise of food. They also enjoy being the point of interest is as many pictures as possible.
The Doge’s Palace is also one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. It all takes you back in time, reliving a piece of history, a time for chivalry and misterious women. Venice makes you beautiful, it makes you smile incessantly, but without a reason. The gondolas are beautiful, but far too expensive. Still, they look very beautiful in our pictures. 🙂
When our bateries ran low, we decided to get some presents for our friends and enjoyed a delicious Italian ice-cream. In order to return to the train station (“ferrovia”) we took the local bus, I mean boat. 😀 The trip by boat took about and hour and we had the chance to see all of the Gran Canale and the beauties of Venice on that side of the canal. It was just too pretty for words to describe. I never wanted to get on that bus and leave incredible Venice.
The departure was sad…and we were quite upset about it, but good things only last for a short while. We left Italy enriched and with our hearts full.
So, if you’re looking for the perfect place for romance or a wonderful holiday, Venice is the answer.
DearVenice, I’ll dream about you every night…until I see you again.