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

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Festive Saturday Germans, Futbol, and Trump!

5/1/2016

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Festive Saturday Germans, Futbol, and Trump!
Mark attracts the "good ole boys" Particularly when there is Beer involved.

We arrived as a group to the oldest Biergarten in Munchen and sat under the trees as the sun went down. The pretzels were as big as the plate! The beer mugs held as much as a 6 pack of beer. They were more like vases than beer mugs! Our lederhosen dressed server,Aldan, held 14 Vase-like full beers mugs as he approached our table. His forearms were thick and tight from years of beer deliveries!

No need for a gym.

Mark met a very drunk young German who followed him back to our table. He was eager to speak English. He was in Munich for the soccer match or futbol in the morning. He worked for Volkswagen in the "emissions" department as an engineer. His eyes nearly shut as he puffed on his cigarette and slugged down a gulp of beer. "You Americans have a real problem" this drunk German millineal was saying, In that loud "I'm too drunk to know how loud I am" way.

Now his hand with the cigarette is pointing at us and waving about "what the fuck are you thinking? I mean, Trump? Really? You're all fucking nuts". He points around the table.

Mark begins to apologize for bringing this drunk boy to the table. Some at the table try to defend our Countrymen while others engage in an argument.

Meanwhile his friend joined us with a cigar and a cigarette lit! He flipped a chair around and reached in for a pretzel. Now Mark is really feeling the pressure of his new friends at the table.

They are harmless and kinda funny in an annoying way. Finally, I said," look we left our country for two weeks to avoid this kind of debate! We are on holiday from politics."

To which he exclaimed, "well your all fucked, that's what I say!" His friend eating pretzels and giggling at him says " I need a match to light my cigar, who has a match?"

Mark pipes in, "No smoking at the table, son".

Another debate ensues about being outside, and smoking is permitted. It's a tug of war about trying to rationalize with the irrational.

A group of men arrive from out of no where and with a nod these boys say "meet our new American friends, they're fucked..."

One of the older guys in the group give him a look and both boys move away from our table...shouting their goodbyes.

The group of drunk German men start to sing a German fight song as they moved across the biergarten.

The first words murmured were "Well, that was interesting!"

Our server apologizes for the other guests then offers to deliver us to our reserved table for 8 inside the restaurant! Wonderbar!

All is well!

Fast forward to next night, different biergarten! We are meeting the rest of our biking group at the Hofbrauhous ... Which is several football fields of biergarten, and who sits at the very next table?

The two drunk Germans from last night and their posse! We remember them and they show sheepish signs of remembering us, but won't commit!

"Of all the gin joints, you happen to walk into mine!"

What are the chances? Twice in one weekend?

I quickly tell the new folks at my table...

We are Canadiens!

Work with me here, people!
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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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