Jumping in for very jet lagged and quick Weekly Wrap. In case you missed my photos this week, I spent the last few days eating, biking and exploring Northern Italy with my extended family. Thought I would share my Italy Eats and Escapades with you.
I had very little formal exercise this week. I pretty knew in advance that we had tours and plans each day and I would not have time to run, workout or stay on my regular schedule. I also ate a ton of pasta and gelato. Usually, this stresses me out quite a bit but I tried to really go with it this week.
Italy Eats and Escapades
Saturday and Sunday- travel days
Flew from DC to New York to Milan. We then drove from Milan to the Lake Garda area of Italy which would be our home base for the week. Met the rest of the family at the villa we rented for all of us. A little out of the way but wow what a view.
Monday-cycling and walking
Pretty much started each day with a mile walk to the bakery to pick up a piece of pizza. I could certainly get used to that!
Drove to Sirmione to first explore by bike. We ended up biking about 25 miles round trip on a paved mostly flat trail along the river. Stopped for a few photos along the way, glass of wine in town and ended up with a fantastic view from the top of a medieval castle. Rewarded ourselves with some gelato.
Tuesday-explored Bologna
Drove about 2 hours to the Bologna area. My son and husband took a test drive at the Ferrari museum while my daughter and I walked around the town. We took a family cooking class that afternoon which was blast. We made 3 different types of pasta and sauces. So delicious! It’s going to be very hard to enjoy the boxed spaghetti we are used to here.
Wednesday-touring Parma
We packed a ton into the day. Started with a tour of a Parmesan Cheese factory that of course ended up with lots of samples to enjoy. Next headed to an artisanal proscuitto factory. Not exactly my cup of tea but a favorite of the hubs. Finally, we ended up at a small, multi generational Balsamic Vinegar producer. Probably one of the most fascinating tours I’ve ever been on.
Having the chance to taste the aged Balsamic right out of the barrels was such a unique experience. We learned so much about the art that goes into making the “real” balsamics. Drove back to Lake Garda to meet up with the rest of the family.
Thursday-Biking and walking through Verona
A super slow but fun and informative cycling afternoon in Verona. We saw all the major sights including Juliet’s balcony, the old amphitheater (still used today) and a hike up to the top of the city and of course more gelato. Such a quaint city to visit.
Friday- Day trip to Venice
Took the train to Venice and packed as much into one day as we could. Everyone loved the Gondola Rowing lessons. Very different from canoeing or paddle boarding and fun to learn some of the history. Ended up with a stop at the infamous St. Mark’s Square and Rialto bridge. Just when I thought the gelato could not get any better, it was even more delicious.
Saturday- 3 mile run
Finally had a chance to get a run in before heading back to Milan to fly home. We got home last night around 1 am completely exhausted.
Thanks for checking out all of my Italy photos. Our week in Italy flew by and now I need a vacation from my vacation! Look forward to getting back on track this week.
Linking up with Wendy and Hoho
What an amazing trip! Of course, the food had to be incredible. I’m looking forward to some new recipes….
the food was absolutely delicious! I ate pasta and pizza everyday it’s going to be hard to get back on track this week. I need to re create some of the dishes we had for sure
It was so fun following you along your trip through Italy! Did you even have time to sleep (other than on the plane)? What a great vacation 😉
We did have a blast but yes I am exhausted. I need a vacation…
That sounds amazing!! And, you know, you probably got enough activity and fresh air that you can stop worrying about that pasta and gelato. Heck, stop worrying about it anyway. 🙂 <3
Well…I am feeling like a stuffed ravioli at the moment and looking forward to getting back on my schedule
Looks like an amazing trip! So glad you had fun. Sounds like it was definitely worth it to indulge in that delicious pasta and gelato and skip some formal workouts.
The food was amazing and the gelato so good. I am looking forward to getting back on track this week though
I think that you did an awesome job of staying active while on vacation!
All of your food photos were just amazing, especially that bowl of pasta – oh my yum!!
I literally ate pizza and pasta and gelato everyday! It’s going to be a rough week getting back on track.
What a fabulous looking trip! The food (and wine) sounds amazing. I’m jealous!
I love that you guys took a cooking class. All of your activities sound like a blast! I have heard about the Lake Garda area; a local firm in Minneapolis actually loved it so much they named their company after it 🙂
Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
It is a beautiful area to visit. Thanks for checking out all of my photos
Wow, what an amazing week!! How did you manage to arrange/fit in all those special things? Sounds like my kind of trip.
It did take lots of planning but yes we fit in a ton of fun activities. I need a vacation to recover!
Isn’t that the way it always is, you need a few days to recover from vacation…lol
I enjoyed following your adventures on IG. All your food looks scrumptious!
Yes so true!
That view is absolutely gorgeous! I would love to walk a mile to a bakery every morning 🙂 I like your style! Looks like an amazing trip of a lifetime
It sure was thanks for checking it out!
Wow. I love an active vacation and you had so many fun adventures in Italy! It looks like the weather was beautiful too! It’s cool you had gondola rowing lessons in Venice. Now, get some rest after your vacation. 😉 Thanks for linking!
Seriously, I need a vacation I am exhausted! 🙂
That water looks absolutely beautiful, and yay for gelato! Sounds like it was an amazing trip–I wanna go travel again! *-*
IT really was an amazing week but glad to be back in my own bed now 🙂
Looks like an amazing trip! Love the color of the water in the first one. M agic
It sure was!
What a fun trip filled with yummy food and fun activities! Your photos are great too. I can just taste the food and gelato…mmmm…
Oh it was so delicious!
I totally want to go there!! All the things you did sound so fun. What a great trip.
We did have a fantastic time
It looks like an awesome trip Deborah! You guys really packed in some fun and different experiences while you were there.
we packed a ton into our week for sure
The food is amazing, and I ate so much of it. Everything seemed to be much lighter than the heavy Italian fare we get in the States. That may be why I ate so much, it was much lighter than I’m used to.
Yes it was so much lighter in general but I sure did not go hungry at all!
I always say who needs formal exercise when you are traveling! There is no better exercise than exploring the world!
It was quite the adventure! I certainly ate my way through Italy and now I need to get back on track
Looks like you had a fantastic trip! The food in Italy is just the best – it will definitely be hard to eat pasta at home again after that 😉
I ate enough to last me for a few weeks!!!
Looks like an amazing vacation!
It definitely was! I could use another one just to recover 🙂
Looks like an amazing trip! So glad you had fun. Sounds like it was definitely worth it to indulge in that delicious pasta and gelato and skip some formal workouts.
It sure was!
Sounds like an amazing trip!
It really was- thanks!
Your trip to Italy looks so much fun! I am so jealous! I enjoyed your IG posts! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for checking them out. It was a jam packed week for sure