It took a little over two years for me to officially settle into my adopted city. Believe it or not for the first two years or so, I just worked so much and didn’t really immerse myself in the culture, the Italian life or the people. Big mistake!!!! Rewind four years ago, I slaved away at my at home job inside my tiny one bedroom apartment and would occasionally go for walks for with Harley, my mini poodle in the evenings.
Tag Archives: what italy is
Mura di Treviso
Walking along the “Mura” is one of my favorite things to do in Treviso.
Trattoria Antica Da Amedeo
If you have read my last post about Soave, then you will know that we spent about an hour or so looking for an agriturismo to have lunch.. After being lead on a wild goose chase, we decided to just find a nice place in the center of Soave.
We had thought if we are going to eat in the city center, it will most likely be ridiculously over priced and poor quality of food, but boy were we wrong!
We went to Trattoria Antica Da Amedeo which is located on Via Roma 15 in Soave. Continue reading
Exploring Soave
Soave is a medieval village that I’ve noticed numerous times while on the autostrada.. I never had a chance to take a detour but that all changed on Sunday. Continue reading
A chance to win jewelry from Murano
I recently sat down with Donata Zan, designer and owner of Acqua di Vetro.
Donata and I met many months ago and instantly became friends. You know when you meet someone and you hit it off instantly, kinda like you’ve known them your whole life? Well, yes, that pretty much sums up our great friendship.
Donata works in tourism by day and a jewelry designer by night. She recently showed me her new collection and I loved it! I told her we’ve got to do something. I want people to see what beautiful pieces she makes by hand, each piece is unique, no two are the same. What better way to introduce her new line then to have a contest.
Being the sweetheart that she is, she decided to give away 3 sets of her newest collection to 3 lucky readers!!
So, you guys are probably wondering what does she make? She creates necklaces, earrings, and rings made out of hand blown glass balls from Murano Italy and then she adds silk which she finds from the old vintage shops.
There are 3 different sizes S,M,L.
hand blown murano glass balls with delicatley placed silk..
There are only 3 steps to have a chance to win 1 of 3 sets.
Like Acqua di Vetro on Facebook
Like Inspired in Italy on Facebook
Leave a comment on this post that you’ve entered and then in return I’ll give you a number.
Please also leave me your email in the comment section.
Donata will customize your set for you.
So if you are one of the lucky winners you can let her know which colors you would like and she will make them according to your desire.
The contest starts today April 11th 2015 and will end on May 11th 2015. 
colorful earrings perfect for Spring
romantic collection
Good luck everyone!!
Xoxo
An adventure in Padova
An adventure in Padova
We had an appointment at the University of Padova in the late afternoon, so we were able to spend an hour or so exploring downtown Padova. Padova is not far from Treviso ~ about a 40 minute car ride on the autostrada or in English “highway”.
A few things Padova is known for :
Padova is home to Prato della Valle, which is the largest square in Italy and one of the largest in all of Europe.
Padova claims to be the oldest city in Northern Italy.
It was founded in 1183 BC
It hosts the renowned University of Padova which is over 800 years old.
Please enjoy
1 of 78 statues along the Prato della Valle
A beautiful building ~ Love the colors and the texture.
Another statue of a famous citizen created in the late 18th Century by none other than Andrea Memmo.
Harley, enjoying a run among one of the largest squares in Europe
We couldn’t have chosen a better day ~ just gorgeous out!
~ Prato della Valle ~
Side view of what locals simply call Il Santo ~
Donatello’s magnificent equestrian statue of the Venetian General Gattamelata aka “Honey Cat” was completed in 1450
Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padova ~ Construction began around 1232, just one year after Saint Anthony had died and was completed in 1301
Bassano del Grappa ~
Ahh, If you were to ask me what are my top 3 favorite cities in Veneto, I would definitely have to say Bassano del Grappa is surely one of them.
Bassano is home to Renzo Rossi the founder and President of Diesel, the spirit Grappa which is usually an after dinner drink but lets face it here in Veneto, its quite common to have Grappa in your caffe after lunch and dinner or maybe even just as a shot.
I can’t tell you all enough that its best to visit these lovely, quaint towns in the Winter time when there aren’t as many tourists, its kind of like you have the whole city to yourself. My only advice would be not to go on a Sunday as we did here.. Haha! It was still just as amazingly beautiful with tons of people.. I love to people watch anyhow. Don’t you?
I decided to play “tourist” on a cold day in February. Roberto, my brother in law was my tour guide.
Please enjoy the photos..
The streets were a bit crowded in the beginning
My charming tour guide, Roberto, who also happens to be my brother in law 🙂
The main piazza ~
Such a gorgeous day!
Can you tell the time?
The church of St. John the Baptist built in the 14th Century and restored in the 18th Century
Reflections ~
Divo Bassano Protectori
I adore this ceramic shop
Il bacio ~ The kiss
Postcard perfect?
Golden hour
My view from the walk back to our car.. breathtaking beautiful.
Can you see why Bassano is one of my favorites? I simple adore this charming city!
Have you ever been to Bassano? Which is your top 3 cities to visit in Veneto?
xoxo
