On our first full day in Italy, we ambled around the town after a many course, wine-matching lunch at Il Desco, a Michelin star restaurant in Verona recommended by DC pals. We selected the local specialities menu with a wine pairing to share.  

A local bubbly, Franciacorta enhanced our “welcome from the kitchen.” Everything that followed was delicious and a suitable celebration of Maurice’s 70th birthday.

Food was also the theme for day two in Verona when we subscribed to a food tour, which included points of historic and cultural interest. Our group was small. We were joined by another couple who lived in Malaga, but were from Germany (a German-American woman) and her Egyptian-Palestinian husband. We all got along well so it was fun sharing food and wine with them, and with our energetic and informed Veronese guide, Andrea. We ate horse meat appetizers with a local wine, Custoza, and lunched on risotto made with Amarone wine — Yes! It’s dark red and delicious.

Working off these meals meant long strolls in Verona, a beautifully flat city on the Adige river. The town boasts a Roman theater, which we toured, and an amphitheater or arena. Both are in excellent condition and still in use. In fact the arena was the venue, while we were there, for a fund-raiser sold-out concert to benefit people with Downs Syndrome.

Did I mention it was the May 1 (Labor Day) long weekend? The city was packed and lively, the sidewalk cafes filled with families and kids, watching street musicians and one another enjoy the lovely spring weather.

After a brief rest in our hotel room, Maurice went back out for the walking tour that was arranged by our trip leaders.

After the walking tour, there was a welcoming aperitivo with the wine tour group. The tour had officially begun.