Autumn in the Veneto

The sun is shining, a perfect day to visit Il Giardino Giusti, a beautiful renaissance garden in Verona. Giacomo is in fine form as usual, as our guide through the garden and its history.

The Giusti family, nobles from Florence, had to flee the city as they supported the wrong side…ahh, politics! It was medieval times when they arrived in Verona and the garden was cultivated for food, with fruit and vegetables. However, times changed …the dark medieval period passed and then came the renaissance, when people became interested in aesthetics and wanted to be surrounded by beauty. The garden was transformed and is one of the first renaissance gardens in Italy, also one of the most beautiful!

A striking feature of the garden is the avenue of tall cypresses which leads to the belvedere, the highest point in the garden and a spectacular view over Verona. Visited by many writers, poets and philosophers in the past, the garden is a beautiful, tranquil oasis with statues of mythological gods and goddesses such as the Roman goddess Minerva.

We took a breath, had some fun in the labyrinth and took in the magnificent view with Giacomo showing the way with history to share and tales to tell.

Meravigliosa …Isabella

Yes, Timo has arrived in Verona! Not without some anxious moments on my part however. Final contact was at 8.30 am in Milano, then…nothing! Numerous messages sent, a number of phone calls across the Atlantic and a dash to Stazione Porta Nuova, Verona and…he is in the apartment when I return, a bit crazy and disheveled. All was well, just a technical hitch…have had lots of those in Italy so far – comes with the territory, as we Aussies would say.

He had showered and changed in the time I was out looking for him so it was straight out to explore the city.

Ciao for now….Isabella

A night of fun and games at school. Playing Italian table games with teachers and classmates…a challenge but great fun, especially the crazy drawings.

saluti …Isabella

My teachers

The teachers at InClasse, my language school, are fantastic. They are experienced in language teaching and learning and their teaching methodology is based on the Italian language as it is used today.

Giacomo is a fount of knowledge on the history of Verona and I have enjoyed a number of guided walks with him through the city and countryside, learning about the city’s history, it’s myths and legends, always told with passion.

From Gaia I’ve learnt grammar and expanded my Italian vocabulary, always with patience and enthusiasm and great drawings on the board to explain what she means.

Many hours with Romina in conversation hopefully has improved my conversation skills. She has taught me so many things, from learning the Italian way to speak and how to pose questions to Italian culture: weddings, food, clothes and etiquette, to name a few. She is a special person, passionate and open and always available to help.

All three are generous and enthusiastic and interested in their students. I recommend the school highly as a great place to learn; not only the language, but also how Italians live, their culture and history.

My classmates and I have been entertained with fantastic activities, exploring the city, the countryside, parties and games, even learning how to make Italian pastries. Fernando from Brasil, Brea from the USA, Goretty from Spain and Barbara from Austria, are some who have made my time special in Verona.

Grazie e ciao a tutti …Isabella

Classmates

As Shakespeare wrote …

If music be the food of love, play on

…so it was for me at the Teatro Filarmonico, at the performance of music by Verdi, Rossini, and Wagner played by the Orchestra of L’Arena di Verona, a full choir and a soprano with a voice like an angel.

I sat in a private box with my friend Lodovica and Paola, on red velvet seats enthralled by the beautiful music which lasted for two and a half hours…magical!

Built in the 18th century as Verona’s opera house, the theatre opened in 1732, with the drama, La Fida Ninfa by Vivaldi. The opera season became famous, and the performances led society events. But in 1749 fire destroyed the theatre. It was rebuilt and opened again in 1754.

However, tragedy struck once again on the night of February 23, 1945, when the theatre collapsed under Anglo-American bombing in World War II. The Academy Philharmonic announced that it would try to rebuild the theatre exactly as it had been before and in 1975, the theatre opened once again in all it’s glory.

Ciao for now …Isabella