Exploring Venice, Italy

Charming and filled with history, Venice was everything that I had pictured and more. While meandering through the cobblestone walks there were breath taking moments at Piazza San Marco and Saint Mark's Campanile and Basilica. So much to see and explore, the sights and sounds were amazing. As I mentioned in the previous two posts, Wikipedia offers a wealth of information on different parts of Italy. If you are interested in more details, click here : Venice.

I was so thankful to be able to join my husband on his work trip. Taking the little jaunt from Bergamo to Venice was a wonderful perk. We made a day of it, returning to Bergamo in the evening.

Enjoy the photos and hanno un grande giorno (have a great day)!

In all, we took over 750 photos during our short trip. I hope that you have enjoyed the small sampling that I've shared in the past 3 posts. Buona giornata!

Exploring Italy - Women's Day Festival & Bergamo Città alta (upper city)

I happened to be in Italy with my husband on March 8. As we were getting ready for a great day of exploring, I looked out of the windows of The Papa, where we were staying. I noticed amazing yellow flowers being displayed on the sidewalks in front of almost every store - not just at the floral shop across the street. I also noticed that men and women alike seemed to be drawn to the flowers, and were purchasing and carrying little bouquets as they walked. I was drawn to the bright yellow display, and naturally, had to get a closer look right after a fabulous breakfast. Much to my surprise, the tables at The Papa had been transformed with fragrant little bouquets of yellow flowers, which I learned was called mimosa. I'd never seen this flower before in America. When Gorgio, the proprietor of The Papa greeted us at the table, it was with a warm, "Buon giorno della donna". Happy Women's Day!

La Festa Della Donna, women's day festival, is celebrated March 8 all over Italy. On this day, men bring flowers, usually yellow Mimosa, to the women in their lives. Restaurants have special Festa della Donna meals and there are often small local festivals or concerts. You can read more about this festival by clicking on Life in Italy.

Captured by the culture and festivities of the day, we explored the Città alta of Bergamo. The "upper city" is surrounded by a stone wall that was built during the 17th century to protect it's inhabitants from outsiders. I mentioned this link in my previous post, but you can read more about Bergamo and the history at Wikipedia.

Enjoy the photos and Festa della Donna Felice!

Exploring Italy

My husband works for an Italian company.  Occasionally, he must travel there.  Once, I was able to join him.

The company that my husband works for is located in Bergamo Italy .  Wikipedia offers some wonderful history of the area, that you can read about if you click on the highlighted name.

The photos that I'm showing for now are of the "Città bassa" (lower city) where we stayed in a wonderful hotel called "The Papa".  It was the beginning of March when we were there.  The weather was a bit warmer than it was in Michigan at the time, but it was still just the beginning of spring and winter coats were still in season.  I was just taken by the history, architecture and landscape.