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Cool Annie's Travels
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  • Italy 2022
    • The process before leaving town...
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    • Annie Hart Cool
  • Life as it appears to me
  • Blog
  • Italy 2022
    • The process before leaving town...
    • About
    • Annie Hart Cool
  • Life as it appears to me

Cool Annie's Travels

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Notify Me

Fat brain

1/4/2018

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I totally get fat brain ! I don't see or feel a difference and I'm down 31 pounds.


I'm stunned when I got into something I KNOW IS TOO SMALL!


Every day I say goodbye to the weight! When I'm dressing or showering, putting on socks or brushing my hair... I say a little goodbye ...


Goodbye double/triple chin
Goodbye dimpled thigh
So long overhanging belly
arrivederci bra fat
Aurevoir cankles
Move on down the road slappy arms...


You've served me and I am done with you.... Good bye!


I also find it funny how many people comment on my hair...


"New color? Looks good!"


"New cut? Love it!"


"Wow, what have you done with your hair?"


Nope, Nope, Nope! Nothing Nothing Nothing!


People are shy about noticing the weight... Just in case their wrong and you haven't lost the weight!


So apparently I've got great hair and ought to consider an xL shirt size too...


Say goodbye to each glorious pound for our "new problems" are fewer than the ones attached to those califlower thighs!


Blessings to u!


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Year end review 2017

1/2/2018

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January 1st 2018
As I clean out the fridge and put away Christmas, I can't help reflect on 2017.


The people I said goodbye too. Oh how they will be missed! And with their passing comes this remarkable gratitude for the gift of "one more day".


The weddings, the couple's, the families... Officiating weddings is both joyous and eye opening. A privilege to be invited in to the "merger". 2017 nuptials included a bridal party in the water, a couple of last minute nudists and hot air balloon privacy ❤️... 37 weddings in 2017!


The homes... Another marriage of sorts... Finding the right roof to put over a families head! I love houses and people so it makes sense that Real Estate is the perfect business for me! 2018 is my 20th year! I'm blessed to be the "families realtor". My business is based on referrals and trust. I'm so honored to be my clients "realtor for life". Thank you!


Theater... 2017 had me on stage or in front of the stage a lot! Directing, producing, acting...such fun outlets and a contribution to "levity". We need to be entertained, transported out of our lives and if some belly laughs happen along the way ... All the better! 2018 will be full of stories and laughter!


"On Deck, A view from Cape Cod". My first television talk show gig! Crazy fun and widely watched! Who knew? Season two is "in the can" and my cohosts and I are having some fun!


Traveling... 2017 took me to Portugal and France mostly by bicycle! 2018 has Croatia, Amsterdam, south Africa on the docket!
Collecting stamps in my passport!!!


My family ... Mark and I enter our 23rd year of marriage. We've built a crazy family. Full of kids and grown ups looking for a place to be "home". We've stayed the course and celebrate the blessing of our love, friendship and crazy extended family!


At the end of this first day of 2018 I can't help but count my blessings for all the "life" I have experienced...For the love life brings my way!


May 2018 smile blessings onto you! Make it your best year! ❤️


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Our Bike and Barge Itinerary!

Day 1: Individual arrival in Mantova


Day 2: Mantova, 21 mi. (35 km)


Day 3: Mantova - Governolo - Zelo, 32 mi. (50 km)

Day 4: Zelo - Ferrara - Adria, 31 mi. by bike + 37 mi. by bus (50 + 60 km)

Day 5: Adria - Po Delta Nature Reserve - Pellestrina Island, 25 mi. (40 km)

Day 6: Pellestrina Island - Venice, 19 mi. (30 km)

Day 7: Venice, free day

Day 8: Venice,
​departure following breakfast
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Mantova is one of the most beautiful towns in Northern Italy as many worldwide know artists have left their masterpieces for us to enjoy, thanks to the famous Gonzaga family! Benvenuti a Mantova!
Day 2: Mantova - round trip tour - 21 mi. (35 km)


This entire day is dedicated to the discovery of this wonderful city and its surroundings, dominated by the wealth and influences left by the Gonzaga family, who owned the city for over 400 years.

Mantova was considered one of the most important cultural cities in the Renaissance and it still maintains a lot of the landscapes and the building that made it famous during that period.

​ In the late afternoon, a local guide will lead you through the most known highlights of the town.

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Day 3: Mantova - Governolo - Zelo, 32 mi. (50 km)

After breakfast, on board, you navigate from the "lakes" of Mantova and cruise through the lush wetlands that lead to Governolo Lock, where Mantova's Mincio River flows into the Po.

​ From here, by bike, you follow the broad sweeps of the levee towards Ostiglia, renowned for its medieval fortress and fierce fighting in 1945, as the Allies drove Hitler's forces back.
Bergantino, home of the distinctive Museum of Fairground Rides and its collection of street organs, all expertly restored (and thunderous!).


This village is also in the heartland of Grana Padano, the arch-rival of Parmesan. A visit to the local cheese factory, sampling some well seasoned Grana, is a must-do.

​You meet the barge in Zelo, a sleepy village on the Canal Bianco, the waterway which runs parallel to the Po.
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Day 4: Zelo - Ferrara - Adria, 31 mi. by bike + 37 mi. by bus (50 km by bike + 60 km by bus)
Following breakfast, you will start cycling towards Ferrara. Once you have reached the town, which earned the name of "city of bicycles", you will be enchanted by the historical center, still surrounded by the old city walls.

​You will enjoy a guided town tour. From Ferrara, a short bus transfer will bring you to Adria, an ancient Greek port, famous for trading amber coming from the Baltic. It's a remarkable museum that also bears witness to its Etruscan, Roman, and Venetian Heritage.
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​Day 5: Adria - Po Delta Nature Reserve - Pellestrina Island, 25 mi. (40 km)
After a short ride on board, you cycle into the delta of the life-giving Po. This unique wetland is the prime reserve in Europe for herons and home to a sizeable colony of flamingos. Weather permitting, as you continue towards Chioggia, you can also enjoy a stop at a beach and a dip in the Adriatic - not forgetting a hot savory piadina! Chioggia is also known as "Little Venice", a colorful fishing hub. The overnight takes place on the island of  Pellestrina, just in front of Chioggia.
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Day 6: Pellestrina Island - Venice, 19 mi. (30 km)
Venice beckons, but first another world altogether: Pellestrina, the first of two islands you traverse today – a humble and tranquil fishing backwater, picturesque as ever with its cottages, boats, and nets. A short island-hop by ferry transfers to Lido. Fashionable in high society ever since the Belle Époque, the Lido di Venezia is now home to the International Venice Film Festival and its galaxy of stars.

​ After rejoining the barge, you will enjoy a leisure cruise in front of St Mark’s square to the final destination. After dinner, you can savor Venice at night, now free of the crowds and at her most romantic: Benvenuti a Venezia!
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Day 7: Venice, guided walking tour and free time
A guided walking tour of Venice begins around 11 am and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. It begins in St. Mark square and continues towards the bigger "sestiere" of the city, Castello.

You will visit Campo Santa Maria Formosa where you can experience a characteristic market and then a city hospital and large gothic church in Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Later, you will go to Campo Santa Marina and to the Rialto Bridge. During this tour, the guide will explain these sites from the outside, no entrances are planned. 
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I guess I always knew this… but forgot?

As we prepare to leave on vacation the energy in the house is a mix between excitement and dread. You know the anticipation? The expectation ! And all the things you forgot.

I take a breath and lean in to my suitcase. I don’t know why I fret. The few things I pack can be washed and reworn!

If Covid taught us nothing it taught us sweat pants can last a week if handled carefully! Two weeks in Italy requires comfort clothes and something a little stylish… but wait, I live on Cape Cod!

We have completed most of the requisites. The note to the Dog sitter, the walk about with the gardener, the cleaned out refrigerator… but then it dawns on us…
what about the storage on our phones?

​TONIGHT. Tonight we will be deleting everything. Sorry, but it’s true.
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