Jeannie's Travel Addiction

June 17, 2018

I am back  home  but I look forward to enjoying my trip a second time by sharing my postings  of the interesting places  I visited.

Leaving Penk, Austria and the wonderful time we all had at the wedding festivities  was bitter sweet but boarding the train with this incredible  landscape behind it,  how could I not  look forward to the next week?

We were on our way to Bolzano, Italy.  Bolzano is the doorway  to the Dolomite Mountains.   Dolomite is a sedimentary rock and gives these mountains  their shape and color.  This region  is bicultural  due to centuries of history – the land was  Austrian during the Hapsburg Reign and becoming  Italian after WWII.  Today all the signs and literature  are  posted in both languages.  The architecture is  mixed – some areas definitely Austrian influence, other areas Italian.

Most of Bolzano can be enjoyed  in a day but in  all directions, one can span out to  many  small towns for  sightseeing and/or  nature loving adventures.  Sit back,  relax and enjoy scenes  of Bolzano from the comfort of your own home….

Piazza Walther –  the statue honoring and the square named after a 12th century German  poet who stood up to the Holy Roman Emperor.

Also part of the Piazza Walther and the home of heavenly  pizza…

Walking down  the narrow side streets, alluring architecture is everywhere….

Along with eye catchings tidbits….

Flower stands in the market…

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Wrought iron guild signs still identify shopping and eating favorites…..

Distinctively European / Italian  painted buildings…

A  plaque in the doorway  of a home is a somber reminder that a victim of WWII was taken from his home and  lost his life in Auschwitz   –   lest we  forget…..

A beautiful statue outside a 13th century  Dominican Church – art to some, a reminder to others that with prayer there is hope…..

Lastly  – a humorous modern reminder that many McDonalds in Europe sell beer – you can find it next to the salads and orange juice.

Thanks for reading!

Hope you enjoyed!!