www.theblisspages.com - travel: Italy
www.theblisspages.com - travel: ItalyMy only trip to Italy - so far - was also my first foray abroad, at the tender age of sixteen. It was a holiday undertaken with very mixed feelings as my father had just died. He had never been abroad, and had been forced to cancel his, and our, first foreign holiday when he was taken ill. After his untimely death, at fifty-six, my mother took the family to Lido di Jesolo, a seaside resort north-east of Venice.
As we arrived at Venice airport, we were amazed to meet my aunt, who was just leaving from a holiday elsewhere in Italy.
Lido di Jesolo had sunshine, good beaches and places to eat. I also remember many games of outdoor table-tennis - disrupted whenever there was a breeze.
One lunchtime, we were relaxing over some oven-baked pizzas when the waiters suddenly started running around in a panic, anxiously ushering us inside and collecting all the tables, chairs and umbrellas. They informed us that a storm was approaching, and sure enough, the sky soon darkened and the heavens opened. Lightning forked as a sudden wind threw about everything not fastened down, but we enjoyed the spectacle.
The next day dawned clear, and we decided to try water skiing.
After one or two false starts, I was up, and loved the speed, the sensation, and the challenge of maintaining my balance as we sped up and down the coast.
We also visited Venice, and I will long remember the sights, and especially the smells of this city.
We took the obligatory trip on a Gondola, and drifted under some of the many beautiful bridges. We then wandered around this city and had a drink in St Peter's square.
Beware the extortionate prices charged here - it's better to go a little off the beaten track.
Italy is but a distant memory now. When I went I was too young even to drink wine, so there are a wealth of experiences still to savour. I would love to visit again, but I suppose I can say that about so many countries.
:
: © Mike Bliss 2008