Arrived to an amazing sunny day in Oslo after a long travel day. Frankfurt will not make our list of favorite airports! The Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz is a lovely property, with both a lovely breakfast buffet, and a light supper from 6-8pm. Extra nice at Oslo prices! After about 10 hrs of sleep, we ventured out to explore. Sadly, the sun did not last & we stayed damp all day. Saw the History Museum, and did a test walk back to the train station to see how it mi...

Accidentally walked thru a piazza last night in time to see some major flag-throwing, dancing ladies, sword fight, & horses, & then a wedding. We guess it was all for show, but who knows! Heading on to Milan this morning & out to our airport hotel to rest up for the endurance contest of getting home again! Great trip, but ready for our own bed & pillows!

We decided last night we were working too hard & it would be much less hassle to skip Venice. It would have been a bus, train & traghetto & back + Sunday crowds. So, after a leisurely breakfast we went to see Verona's Castelveccia (old castle) & museum. A nice look at the defenses the royals of the 1300's had to prepare for including the escape bridge in the pix. Modest art collection of lesser known Italians along with a few early Bellini's throw...

Summer caught up with us today! Travel day to return the car & see a bit of Verona and Venice. Warm & humid here & lots of fellow travelors in Piazza Erbe. Also a weekend, so likely natives in town, too. Have to say, we're getting a bit tired & thinking maybe a tour group wouldn't be so bad after all. But, with pasta & tiramisu how bad can it be!?!

After a lovely breakfast on the terrace at Dolcevista we set for the Zonin Wine headquarters in Gamberella. We had a great tour from Sandra & learned all about the history of Zonin (largest private company in Italy). They bottle under many different labels depending upon the end user - consumer, chains, or restaurants. Ended at a look at their "prosecco bank," a huge refrigerated tank where they keep the grape mixture until they need to produce it to meet ord...