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My Italy Trip Wrap Up, A Look Back

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  There is not a lot to report about my trip home from the Venice airport to Tucson. It was just a really, really long day. I was dropped off at the Venice airport just after eight in the morning. The baggage line at British Airways was already out past the end of the stanchions, and no one was at the ticket counter. So that was the first wait of the day. I have to admit that Heathrow airport management has improved its protocols since my last stopover. Connecting to another flight has become a lot easier and quicker. The airport food, though, has not improved. Bottom line: Late leaving Heathrow, late leaving Dallas and late arriving Tucson. In bed, finally, by about 1:30 am Tucson time (late morning in Italy). BUT Please don't think that any of that travel hassle detracted from my awesome adventure.  The OAT itineraries for both the pre-trip and the main trip have been honed and virtually perfected by the many times that they do this. Everything pretty much runs like clockwor...
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Oct. 26, Last Night in Italy: Valsugana

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Sunday, October 26 This was a pretty relaxed day, mainly to put us in position for an easy run to the Venice airport in the morning, or for those who signed up for the five-day post-trip in Venice.  Our main entertainment for the day and the site of our lunch stop was that of a family Orchard Apple Orchard run by a very interesting man who shared his knowledge of organic farming and growing apples, cherries an sunflowers and everything you ever wanted to know about apples. If I was feeling better it probablywould have been very interesting. Still a bit sluggish from my cold, I pretty much just tagged along. After a couple of hours on the road after lunch, we arrived at our final destination for our Italy trip. It’s a 17th century Manor that has been transformed into a hotel. It’s very lovely. We were told that Ronald Reagan and his wife stayed here when they were visiting Venice.  It is the site of our last drink together, our last dinner together and saying goodbye to all the...
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Oct. 23-25, Into the Dolomites: Bressanone, Balzano, Val Gardena

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  Beautiful, right? But where those clouds are should be Dolomites ! Thursday, October 23 Starting out from Trento in a light rain, as we climbed, the clouds lifted some. Exiting the highway, we ascended a very narrow winding road to Santa Magdalena in the Val de Funes , a beautiful valley at the gateway to the Dolomites. Our local guide, Alex, provided some light snacks at the top of our hike.  Lunch at Hotel Fines in Santa Magdalena, South Tyrol , Italy. Only mere miles from the Austrian border at Brenner Pass . Antipasto Pumpkin Soup Bratwurst and Potato Salad Chocolate Cake On to Bressanone (bress-uh-NO-neh) City Orientation Walk in the Rain Meanwhile, taking the train to explore Bolzano tomorrow, then back to Bressanone for dinner. Hoping to get our first good look at some Dolomites. BUONO NOTTE! Friday, October 25 Taking the train to Bolzano, the capital and largest city of South Tyroll . “Hot Dog” Lunch Main Square of Bolzano (Pano) The Dolomites… Tomorrow’s Goal D...
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