All posts filed under: travel italy

Treviso…villa’s and gardens

Published by

As I wander along the walkway outside the walls of Treviso, the beauty and serenity can hardly be captured in a click of a camera. To take in this beauty I wish you could share an hour with me, walking along the shady pathway with its huge horse-chestnut trees, its calming meandering river, and its beautiful scenery.    Just outside the wall, through the gateway of Porta Calvi, but within the circular boundary of the centre of Treviso there are many beautiful villa’s and gardens.    All with their unique architecture and facades…and gardens that are at the water’s edge.    A private but public hide away. I love the entrances to these villa’s with grand iron gateways, entangled with ivy and emblems. Statues , columns and frescoed art , symbols of  grandeur.  Their pristine gardens and blooming spring flowers, an open” welcome”  invitation.    Treviso is truly a beautiful place and is harmonious in saying “la bella vita” –  the beautiful life. I truly am lucky to live in a beautiful and safe place.

Two peas in a pod

Published by

In the region Veneto, we have a large number of recipes with the base ingredient of rice. One of these favourite  well-known recipes is Rice with Peas * i risi e bisi . Taking the opportunity at the fresh growers market I purchased two kilo’s of fresh peas. Having a few recipes in mind, my choice is this one.   I know what you’re thinking, it’s just easier to buy a can of peas, or go to the freezer, but believe me there’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh peas. Let the senses glee with the sound of the crunch of the pea pod, the wonderful rich green colour, the perfume of fresh pearl peas, the taste and the silky glossy feel. I know I always think of my grandmothers shelling peas in the kitchen, but believe me they had it right, the  fresh taste makes all the difference.   This traditional plate is known to have been served to the Duke of Venice on the patron saints day of Saint Marks. The difference with this recipe apart from other risotto recipes is that the broth is added …

Green with Ivy

Published by

I’m surrounded by lush green vineyards in the heat of our first Spring days an unusual but pleasant image, unusual for me after many dry, sunburnt amber Summers in Australia. It’s  truly a welcomed image after the long Winter we’ve had. My life is surrounded by green.      This photo was taken this Winter, a beautiful image also of our vineyard…      Along the lush corridors around our home.  The trees are tangled with climbing evergreen ivy, even in my garden the grand old oaks trunk is covered with meandering ivy.      This image of our old oak tree was taken this Winter…      ….no fences here…a hedge of green      While walking around Treviso, I found this villa covered in ivy…        An interesting article I read from Better Homes and Gardens, May 2010,(Yes , I got my hands on an english version) was Easy Outdoor Containers. Anyone, even the least green thumb gardener can achieve beautiful containers of plants grown to their potential with the basic anatomy of the pot correct, good quality of top soil and potting mix, the right position for  light source …

To Market…To Market

Published by

I couldn’t resist the urge this morning to get all the housework finished early and take a look around the markets in the heart of Treviso. The weather forecast was for rain but ignoring all-weather reports I decided to take the chance and head off, with walking shoes on, camera , wallet and no room for an umbrella. I must admit today I looked like a tourist and that’s how I played the game. Arriving outside the wall, I took a brisk walk into the centre of Treviso, the markets are an open-aired market and divided into three areas…fruit and vegetables, fish and everything else.    Treviso’s markets are every Tuesday and Saturday, and are a real buzz. You can buy almost anything, clothes, shoes, belts and accessories. Fresh fish, fruit and vegetables,you can buy a cooked chicken to a new pet mouse or canary.    It was fun walking around with camera in hand, and I surely did stand out in the crowd. Everyone was happy to smile and let me take the shot, and I think I must …

View from a bridge…Bassano Del Grappa

Published by

After a week of rain and thunderstorms, today was truly a Spring day,we decided to take a 50km drive to a beautiful place called Bassano Del Grappa. It’s not my first visit, we’ve shown visiting friends this special place before, leaving them and myself fond memories…amazing views of Mount Grappa and the Valsugana Valley. The symbol of this historical town is the old bridge -Ponte Vecchio, with it’s grand appearance and construction of wood, it’s visited by tourists everyday..and today was no different. While walking across the bridge you have views of the Valsugana Valley and the Brenta river.The bridge was a vital means of communications between territories of Vicenza and Bassano. It’s been destroyed more than once, during war time and also violent flooding, however has been rebuilt exactly as it’s original design. We visited today the tavern “Taverna Al Ponte” otherwise known as the “Taverna degli Alpini” which is at the eastern entrance..downstairs is the Italian Alpine Troops Museum..a fascinating look at memorabilia from both world wars. Here’s a view from one of …

Treviso

Published by

The north entrance gate to Treviso is called Porta of San Tomaso, daunting walls were erected to make the town more secure in the early sixteenth century.  Access to the town was restricted to just three gates,which have all survived intact to the present day. The water canals flow around and through Treviso under large and small bridges and in front of reflecting houses with their colourful balconies of blooming flowers.Treviso is a maze of narrow cobbled lanes, and not easy to walk around ladies with heels. Treviso by night is magnificient, the heart of town Piazza dei Signori is the main meeting place for both young and old. Now surrounded by bars,restaurants and ice cream parlours. It’s the place to meet for a “spritz” the local drink of prosecco and bitters.

The floating city…Venice

Published by

   Venice is a wonderful and magical place to visit…a quick 20 minutes in train from where I live..I have the opportunity to visit often.       It’s the start of the  busy tourist season at the moment..although i don’t think Venice is ever quiet, never the less, Sunday’s visit with friends was most enjoyable.For a first time visitor, it’s just the expression on their face, after capturing the first glance, (walking out of the train station),the smile on their face that let’s me know it’s all and more than they imagined. Spectacular views of architecture,galleries and artisan showrooms,gondola’s and the taste of local wines and food,Venice with capture your heart.       Wandering through the many little alleyways..of course it’s not Venice if you don’t lose your way! Over small canals and bridges there’s always something new to discover.    An out-of-the-way restaurant serving the local fresh cuisine and wine,or finding an angle where a local artist sells his paintings. However  the question that came to mind on Sunday was.. can you really tell, who the person living there is by the washing on the line?       Looking up…private is not private living in Venice. Wanting to …