Italy is delightful! We began in Venice and settled into our home base of Conegliano. After some time and adventures with just the two of us (Italian Cappuccino and Spritzes post), Amber’s parents visited!!
Amber’s Mom-Pam, and Dad-Bob the Elder (not to be confused with Amber’s husband, Bob the Younger) went with us to tour the Conegliano Castle and we all enjoyed the view from our flat.
The four of us visited Venice together including the balcony tour at the Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco. We saw restored mosaics, the original balcony horse statues, and heard the clock strike one while on the balcony! We wrapped it up with delicious pizza, wine, and relaxed (including a nap) on the train home.
We traveled to Belluno for a day trip to see the Dolomites where we enjoyed a walk through the street market, the Ponte della Vittoria with the mountains in the background, a walk through the Porta Rugo, and a stroll through the Piazza dei Martiri.
After enjoying the sunsets and some time off, we headed off to Asolo. We enjoyed lunch at Porchetta a Manetta while sitting outside in the shade and then visited the Castello della regina Cornaro where we enjoyed the view of the Torre (tower).
Amber’s great-grandparents were from Italy (her Mom’s Father’s parents). Her great-grandmother Mary was from Revò, and her great-grandfather Frank was from Bedollo. As part of our travels we headed to Bedollo to see Frank’s parents gravestone and experience the town. We stopped by the Macelleria Casagranda S.A.S. butcher shop (it may have been in the family?), enjoyed a picnic Italian lunch at Ristorante Bar Baita Alpina, visited the Bedollo church and cemetery, and then finally enjoyed a walk around Lago delle Piazze.
After more lounging and resting, we took a final trip up to the dolomites with all four of us to Cortina d’Ampezzo for the full experience of the Dolomites. We very much enjoyed a walk around town and the highlight was the Tofana Cortina cable car (gondola) ride up to the top of the Tofana di Mezzo mountain! In the winter, it’s a ski resort and Italy will host the 2026 Winter Olympics so we saw a number of 2026 Olympic rings and prep was underway! It was stormy at the top (thunder and lightening!!) so we took a quick picture (or two) and then headed back down.
We stopped for drinks and snacks at the Masi Wine Bar al Druscié where my Mom discovered the delicious Hugo Spritz (elderberry juice and Procecco)! Bob (the younger) also tried something new and ordered the Hot VOV (hot Italian eggnog). It took some research, but this is a delicious local ski drink of hot zabaglione liqueur (egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine). I also discovered that there’s some fierce competition between the original VOV (made originally by a confectioner to use up the egg yolks not needed for nougat) and Zabov (using brandy instead of wine). We’ll need to come back in the winter because egg liqueurs are also the basis for the delicious bombardino and calimero drinks! There’s also a dessert zabione. So much custard, so little time!
We had a lovely time in Italy adventuring with my parents. We played hard and rested and cooked together. It was fun and sometimes hard and amazing. Honestly, all of the things that travel (and life) help you discover and remember. Thanks for making it all this way!! We really enjoyed Cortina d’Ampezzo and particularly the cable car so here are some fun videos for you!