Starting to plan this year's trip, I realized I never buttoned up our experience from LAST year.
(We spent a week in Croatia, then several days each in Venice/Padenghe sul Garda/Orta San Giulio)
I didn't anticipate falling for Venice, but wow. An amazing city, despite the obvious downsides of so. many. tourists. We had a blast wandering the main vias and the back alleys. The Peggy Guggenheim was a highlight. Our base at
Palazzo Odoni was perfectly adequate. A day trip to Murano was highlighted by a fantastic meal at
B Ristorante.
Next stop - Padenghe sul Garda and several days at
"GardaSeeNow" booked thru Air BnB. Wonderful huge clean apartment, off the tourist beaten path, a sliver of a lake view, very affordable. Rented a boat in Moniga, hit a beach club, visited Gardaland as a treat for the kids, wandered Desenzano, Sirmione etc. Relaxing and memorable.
We spent an enjoyable half-day in Verona on the way to Orta San Giulio. Matt D, thank you for putting this amazing place on our radar. At your suggestion we stayed at
Hotel la Bussola - perfect, with a breathtaking view from the hotel terrace.
The town of Orta could not be more picturesque, and our half-day at
Sacro Monte di Orta was truly unforgettable. We visited the monastic island in the middle of the lake and had the best meal of our trip at
La Motta.
Next up for us - Sicily - birthplace of my paternal grandparents. I've never been - my wife lived there for a year while serving in the USAF.