Brescia/Verona/Padua- Part 1

We set off on a week long trip before our friends Bill and Jan cam for a visit.  We set off on Monday for Brescia.  Not the best place to actually go and stay the night.  It is better for a stop off visit before heading to Verona.  There are some great things to see, but not to eat.  Think of it as Waco, but much, much older.  If you have never been to Waco, just trust me on this one.  The police force harasses tourists instead of stopping the vandalism that is rampant.  It didn't help that our GPS kept taking us in the same circle over and over.  It took us an hour and a half to get to the hotel, and only then, after they sent someone to come and find us.

So, after an hour and a half of being followed by cops, we finally got checked in.  Since it was pouring, we went to a cafe and had a drink.  Drinks led to an early dinner.  A dinner that I could have gotten at McDonalds.  But which we paid 15 euros for.

However, our day seemed to get a bit better when we went into the "new church."  There, we found a priest saying daily Mass.

I didn't take pictures of the inside, but it was beautiful.  However, after walking around for a bit more and being harassed, we decided to call it a night (at 6pm).  The next morning, we headed out for a bit more sightseeing before getting on the road to Verona.  This was in the interior of the "Old Church."  It was old and beautiful.

After the Church, we wandered around town some more and came upon this...

That maybe the saddest face I have ever seen.  And the cutest.  But I think that Salty Dog might mind.

We headed out of town for Verona and made our way to the hotel, the Colomba d'Oro.  It was a very nice hotel.  However, we were hungry, and didn't want to have to trek all over the city.  Thankfully, Torcolo was there for us to dine at.  

We both opted for the beef wellington.  It was different in that the pastry was wrapped in wonton strips.  Let me just give a word of warning.  If you ask for beef medium, it will really be medium rare.  However, the beef was fantastic.  The wine was also excellent.  That being said, the meal was very expensive.  I don't think the price was justified.  After lunch, we wandered around the city

  

After getting caught in a total downpour, the weather finally cleared up enough so that we could sit in the piazza under an umbrella and have a drink.  And maybe some pizza.

So good!  Pizza and beer.  Two things that go well together and always will go well together.  After pizza and beer, we headed back to our room to relax and get some sleep.

Up next: Vicenza.