It is only April and it already feels like summer is here.  Winter seemed like it would last forever, spring lasted about a week, and yesterday it felt a lot like summer with temps getting up to 87 degrees (F) and nothing but sunny skies in the forecast.

On Saturday, after my morning run I decided to make a quick trip to Lake Garda.  I had never been there before so I just headed towards Garda and figured I would play it by ear.  I parked in the city of Bardolino (south of Garda) and walked along the water to Garda.

There was a nice wide bike/pedestrian path all the way from Bardolino to Garda and it looked like it kept going beyond Garda.  I am kicking myself for not buying a bike rack so I could take Lullubelle with me for a nice ride.

After walking around for a while I stopped for my first Spritz of the season.  A Spritz is refreshing drink made from Aperol (a bitter orange aperitif) and Prosecco (a sparkling white wine).  Some people find the taste of a Spritz too bitter, but I love it.  You can also have a spritz made out of Campari, which is a super bitter aperitif, but drinking Campari is like drinking pure hate, and I like myself too much for any of that nonsense.

Instead of catching the ferry up to Riva di Garda, which sits at the very top of the lake, I decided to head back home and save Riva for another day.  On the way home I passed Soave (pronounced like Rico Suave) and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tour the castle.

Soave Castle was built around the 10th century, and the city wall finished around the 14th century.  I parked outside the city walls and walked to the castle.  Halfway up to the castle the walk turned into an actual hike, and I was wearing a sundress and flip flops!  I thought about turning around and coming back another day when I was wearing the right shoes, but then I told myself to stop being a wimp and kept going.  I am so happy I didn’t turn back because the castle was beautiful, but my blistered feet are refusing to talk to me today.

The castle is owned by a private family who keep it very well maintained and open to the public.  The interior rooms have beautiful frescos and weaponry from its glory years, but you cannot take photos inside.  Here is the website if you want to read more about the castle.

http://www.castellodisoave.it/castellosoave_ing/castellosoave_home.html

And now I am going to soak my feet and buy a new pair of summer sandals!  Ciao for now!