Pat

Retired. Have time for the things I love: travel, my cat, reading, good food, travel, genealogy, walking, and of course travel.

Bolzano, Italy – Meeting the Iceman

6-7 November 2023

Trento to Bolzano is a direct, 50-minute train passage through spectacular scenery. This is the gateway to the Dolomites, the Tyrol. Tall escarpments and snow-capped peaks tower overhead while vineyards cover the valleys. Grape leaves are beginning to yellow, valley trees are in full yellow and red fall colors.

Puffs of white cloud drift over the peaks with their dusting of snow. Nothing serious as yet; ski season is not quite ready. It feels warm for this time in November, and probably is. A fast moving river tumbles and plunges down the valley. As I climb further into the Italian Alps, I become more enthralled with its pristine beauty.

Arriving at the Bolzano train station, I feel like I’m in Austria, though I’m not. Immediately, I see my first Tyrolean hat, named thus as the Tyrol is where it was first produced. It seems to lack the traditional rooster feather. I hear more German than Italian. Signage is in both languages.

My Hotel Regina is just a few steps from the station. I toss my bags in my room and head out to meet “the Man.”

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By Pat, ago

Trento, Italy

Exploring Trentino-Alto Adige

4-5 November 2023

Castle fortress Beseno

Travel in Italy is very different, but so much easier, than my first visit in 1972. Today, I purchase my rail ticket online where I also do self-check-in, I walk the short distance to the train station, and follow English directions to the platform. The train is on time and comfortable. I speed off to my next destination – Trento.

Trento is in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige in northern Italy. No direct train – all stop in Verona. Then the regional train turns north into the Alps. It is a route of dramatic waterfalls, large castles, a mountaintop fortress at Beseno, and green vineyards. A blanket of snow covers the craggy peaks.

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By Pat, ago

Brescia, Italy

2-3 November 2023

I travel my chosen route mainly for the views. I’ve not explored the northern region of Trentino-Alto Adige. This is the area located north of Venice and bordering Switzerland and Austria. However, the more I research sites of interest, the more I realize this trip is a lot more than mountain peaks.

(Left: Victory, symbol of Brescia)

I arrive in rain. Yesterday, Milan experienced torrential rains and flooding. Climate Change is having its impact. My last three destinations, Mongolia, Turkey and Milan, I have experienced serious flooding. It is becoming harder and harder to plan wardrobe in an unpredictable climate. Today, rain and wind follow me to Brescia. Out comes my umbrella but I still get wet.

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By Pat, ago

Türkiye 2023

1 October 2023 It is near impossible to adequately summarize a country. All I can fairly do is highlight my impressions – some good and some bad. Having a professional archaeologist as my guide, I have learned so much about Turkey. Traveling some 3800 miles through western and central Anatolia, Read more

By Pat, ago

ISTANBUL

Peaceful Boats and Crazy Bazaars

30 September 2023

Emperor Constantine’s most lasting accomplishment was the establishment of Constantinople. This act shifted Roman power eastward making the city a center of Greek culture and Christianity. On 11 May 330, Constantinople was named to honor Constantine.

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By Pat, ago

Safranbolu, Turkey

29 September 2023 It is a short, rather pleasant drive 140 miles north to Safranbolu located not far south of the Black Sea. The temperatures have cooled to below 90° and dark clouds are overhead. A few drops of rain has produced a small rainbow in the east. I read Read more

By Pat, ago

ANKARA

28 September 2023 I rejoice that I visited Ankara last year. Ankara possesses good museums, a 9th century citadel, old neighborhoods, Roman ruins, peaceful parks, and is home to the Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemel Ataürk. Unfortunately, none of these sites will be visited this trip. But, the goats Read more

By Pat, ago