Italian road planners love “Roundabouts “ and they have multiplied significantly since I lived here years ago. There is one every few miles of 2-lane highways in Italy, and many have 20 cars going into one at a time! One even had about 20 grape vines growing in the middle of the circle!
I decided to travel to one of my favorite towns – Asolo - yesterday and also drop into a favorite ceramics shop in Nove that sells to Williams Sonoma and Tiffany. I did not realize so many changes and new roads and got really lost during the 2 hour trip there.
I thought I knew the way as I had been there numerous times, but a road work detour sent me a different way and I ended up on a higher mountain road that that went through the prosecco region through towns I had never visited. At one point, I thought “I am sure glad I am by myself as I would hate anyone to see me so lost!” Of course, another person might have had a better sense of direction!
I was exhausted when I finally reached Asolo and stopped and had lunch at a nice outdoor place with a view of the town and regrouped. Had time for a more complete visit of Catrina Cornaro’s castle.
She has long been a favorite subject of mine. She was of a noble family, was married off to the King of Cyprus to cement Venice’s needed control of the area. Her husband and baby son died within a year or two and she ruled Cyprus several more years. As a Queen, politically she could not return to Venice so was exiled to Asolo with her court as the Lady of Asolo in 1489. She died 21 years later and is buried in Venice. In 1798, a theater was built in the castle . Ringling Brothers bought it in the 1950’s and painstakingly moved it to Sarasota, Florida. It is a charming little town on a hilltop with wonderful views in every direction.
All along the way, I enjoyed seeing the wonderful old villas that abound everywhere in varying conditions. They range from huge castle-like edifices with walls to smaller 3 story square buildings with beautiful decorations on the facades. Maser Villa is amazing and the town of Marostica also worth visiting.
I visited Nove, a wonderful ceramic town. I bought few things as shipping is expensive but thought of my neighbor Maggie when I saw their huge kiln. When I left, I noticed some nice fish dishes and saw they were putting on price stickers for a large store in S. Korea!
As I travel I notice that there are a lot of new births in Italy at this time noted by large pink and blue ribbons on many doorways. As a lover of our silver king corn, it is interesting that you never see fresh corn in supermarkets. Corn is grown here but only for feed for animals. Bought some delicious cherries from a road vendor and noticed a huge number of small town markets that sell clothes, fish, fresh vegetables, cheese, and small kitchen goods. I went to one in Aviano earlier this week so did not need anything. Everything going well -mainly due to being able to stay near Aviano for a nice long period and take side trips.
