Travel Day Sept 12

Riva Del Garda —> Bolzano

Before leaving this day, I got up early and went walking, not a lot of people out at this time and the sun was just coming up, cool, a very pleasant time to take some pics.

We head Northeast to the gateway to the Dolomites (think Italian Alps). Bolzano is located in a valley in South Tyrol province. Took a train from Riva to Balzano/Bozen. Since it’s just south of Germany, there is a heavy influence of German culture, architecture and language here. Every town has 2 names, one in Italian and one in German. Grazie and Danken Shoen intermixed.

Another sweet Airbnb, little 2 room apartment with kitchen/living and bedroom/bathroom with a washer. I had no clue it sat right in the heart of the retail area. The entrance to here is through an iron gate that is literally right beside a Sephora. So much retail. Everything looks so high end.

The Airbnb left keys for me and when I picked them up I had to use 3 of the 4 on the key ring to get to the unit. Through gate, through a courtyard, up a set a stairs to a door among others, unlock it, up another set of stairs and unlock the unit. I felt safe……

The brick/cobble stoned streets were lined with tall buildings, retail on the bottom and living above. Although, I noticed not of living was going on, just retail, so very much a tourist city. It was beautiful though, flowers dripping down window boxes, clean streets, market vendors with meat, cheeses, flowers, plants lined the side walks and streets. Cafes with outdoor seating and umbrellas/awnings lined almost every nook and cranny, the Italian way.

Once I was checked in, I walked around and scoped out the area, met up with the group for a little walking and some drinks.

Tomorrow we are headed north a bit to see something called the Earth Pyramids.

Riva del garda

Bolzano