We decided that on weeks where we had no major trips planned, we would visit one village we had not seen and explore there. This time we went to Sacile, with the reputation of a little Venice since it had canals throughout the downtown area.
This village was a short 45 minute drive from our home and using our trusty map we managed to find our way.
The village map
This was one of the many canals right where we parked.
We walked all over downtown- a lot of pedestrian only streets
And many, many scenic canals
Per usual- is this becoming a habit? LOL- we had to stop at a cafe to have a spritz and people watch.
And after more exploring, we found a lovely restaurant for lunch,overlooking one of the canals.
Our view from the table
We also went for an evening , a music Festa.
A 'Pink Floyd' tribute band played at the main piazza.
Lot's of people and cafes
On Friday August 12th Nicole took the day off so that we could travel to Lenzburg,Switzerland for a girls' weekend. The main reason for going to this location was to see Steffi and her family. I had found Steffi, a distant relative, on FACEBOOK, our grandfathers on my mother's side were brothers. She was the same age as Nicole and we thought it would be fun to spend some time together.
We took a main highway- A4- to Milano. We stopped a couple of times at the highway rest stops and, trust me, Italian rest stops are nothing like at home. All have a fine wine, cheese and meats selection along with tasty restaurant fare- no McDonalds or Burger Chef!
The total trip should have only taken 6 hours but.....
About an hour after crossing the border into Switzerland, the traffic on our side of the highway came to a total stop. We were about a few kilometers from one of the longest tunnels-St Gotthard tunnel- 18 km in all. Europeans love their tunnels- why go around or over a mountain when you can go through it! First we thought there may have been an accident in the tunnel but later found out it was only construction! We waited for at least 1 1/2 hours moving forward maybe 20-30 cars at a time. We believed that that many cars were let through going in one direction at a time- 20 cars travelling north and once they were through, 20 cars travelling south and so on.
There was another way- over the mountain in this case- and once we were at the turnoff, took it.
And were we ever glad we did! The scenery taking this longer, curvy route was amazing.
Here is our road up one side.
We stopped at the lookout point and took some incredible pictures.
At the very top we were past the tree line and the scenery looked like moonscape.
And then back down the other side.
The detour up the mountain may have taken us longer -maybe not due to the tunnel construction- but we were so glad we did. The scenery was well worth it.
We arrived in Lenzburg at 4:30PM- we had left Fiume Veneto at 7AM- totally beat. Our hotel was right in the historic center of town.
Some town pictures
The next day we met Steffi, her husband Stephan and their children Ben & Mia. We decided to go to the Lenzburg castle, an uphill 25 minute walk but well worth it.
The castle ahead.
Inside the castle courtyard
We stopped for a water & ice cream for the kids.
Mia eating her ice cream
The castle had different rooms showing furniture and life for the different centuries it was in existance.
The top floor had furnishings of the 1800's, next floor down the 1600's and next the 1200's- very fascinating. As well there was lots for the kids to do including seeing a caged little dragon!
Here are the three of us- Steffi, Nicole & I
After walking back down the hill, we went to the village festa- in this case lots of magitians & jugglers and of course food.
That evening Nicole & I were invited back to their wonderful new house for a barbecue. Steffi and family only lived a 15 minute walk away.
In their gorgeous kitchen
Steffi & Mia
And Ben in his new soccer shirt.
