Villas and Antiques in the Veneto

 I returned to one of my favorite antique markets in Italy Sunday with Liz, a friend who is married to an Italian and speaks fluent Italian – a must when negotiating. Curbed my buying impulse although they had some Murano glasses I collect.  I plan to attend another antique show in Aviano this  weekend. This was a favorite pastime when I lived here.





   

The highlight was a tour of the nearby Villa Contarini – one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.  I had visited this area many times, but never took time to take the tour.  The tour was in Italian but I got the basics and Liz provided sone translation of high points.

One of the large long rooms had every wall decorated with millions of sea shells!  It was a reminder to me to take time to see these type places.  

On the way back, we ran into significant traffic around Padua – found out there was a "Pearl Jam" concert at a large stadium.  From the traffic, Italian love American rock groups!