Italy Day Three

Last night's performance was, well, extraordinary! (Extra) The whole thing - the build up, the setting, the stage, the orchestra, the lighting, the costumes, the singing, the huge cast, the amazing props, the conductor with no music score in front of him, the absolute spectacle of it! Breathtaking. Finished at 12.40am. WOW! We could see the orchestra (in the second row!) and I was absolutely fascinated with the chap who, at one point, plinked a triangle a few times, then sat with his arms folded for the rest of the entire performance!! I could do that, and tell everyone that I was in the Verona Opera Orchestra…

Rather tired this morning! But up for breakfast, and off on a wine tour. This time to the Soave region. We had a very personable young woman who was also a trained sommelier who took us to a nearby white wine region - Soave, which we're familiar with in the UK. It was only about 20 minutes from Verona, in a very comfy limousine.

First of all we stopped at a family owned winery, and had a look around, and sampled five wines. The three siblings run the operation now, and we met two of them. Cheeses and salami to accompany the wine. Most pleasant. Hazel took notes.

Then we drove through Soave village, a mediaeval walled town with a castle on a hilltop - very picturesque, but sadly we didn't have time to explore. We went for lunch to a very splendid restaurant, which had a view of the castle. We all really enjoyed our meals - I had grilled swordfish and seasonal vegetables, the others had steak.

Then we drove back to the village and went to a very interesting winery, the only one inside the town walls, very ancient. They had even discovered a tunnel which led directly to the castle. We saw things we hadn't seen before in our many winery tours - cement stills, and pottery amphoras, which they are trialing. More cheeses and salami to accompany four wines...

Back to the hotel just before 5pm, so we had time to partake of the complimentary prosecco!

Two ladies in the lounge were going to the opera tonight, but the weather looks a bit dodgy. Fingers crossed the performance of the Barber of Seville goes ahead tonight. We're all pretty tired, so a restful night is obligatory.