New Friends, Incredible Sushi, & Photo Adventures Near Vicenza

Places mentioned in this post: 

~ Bassano del Grappa

~ Cittadella

~ Sirmione

~ Lazise

Bassano del Grappa: Since there was no church being held in our building on Sunday (Feb 15th) because it was Stake Conference, and the meeting was far away in Padova, we opted to just spend the day together and to go visit a couple places nearby instead. At my suggestion, we took our son Benson over to see Bassano del Grappa - the land of our ancestors and a place he had never been to before. I've taken several people to see the old home of the Bassano family where they lived during the early 1600's, but this was the first time that the doors to the inner courtyard were closed and therefore we could only see it from the outside. 

I've never had a chance to see the spirit of Carnivale in Italy during the month of February before, because typically I was always hanging out at the house in Idaho during the coldest months of winter in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In Bassano del Grappa, the main Piazza was cordoned off and ready for a possible concert or dance party later that evening. They were playing Michael Jackson over the loudspeakers as we walked by . . .

 

While Scott walked back to the car to retrieve his drone, Benson and I made our way over to the Ponte Vecchio Bridge as an eventual meeting spot for when Scott came back.

There were a lot of people on the bridge - probably because it was a Sunday and it was also a beautiful sunny day. A man was playing some incredibly talented songs on his guitar - - I took some videos of him playing a Queen song while we were waiting for Scott.

Video #1: (1 minute) https://photos.app.goo.gl/xnPKg4PxKFF3rDww9

Video #2: (38 seconds) https://photos.app.goo.gl/AVVCDg5DhE2z57B59

After several photo shoots from the bridge, we headed to the west end and then we turned north (or right) to follow the River Brenta.

Almost immediately, this cute pair of university students were walking nearby and they were surprised to hear us speaking in English. We instantly hit it off and soon found ourselves walking a little more slowly together, so we could visit and learned more about each other. Ayla and Dylan are students at Padova University, one of the oldest universities in the entire world (804 years old in 2026). Ayla is from Kentucky and Dylan is from the Cayman Islands! They are just friends, not girlfriend/boyfriend.

Dylan wants to visit Japan, so he and Benson chatted about that for a while, since Benson was just there a couple months ago. Meanwhile, Ayla and I talked about everything under the sun, from cute towns we've visited in the area all the way to modern politics (ugh). She said, "I just wish we could get someone under the age of 80 as our next president . . . " I responded with, "Well, that's your generation. You are all the up-and-comers. Start talking to your friends and see what you can come up with!" She laughed but I know she feels the weight of the world on her generation right now, too. 

It wasn't too long before I told her she is welcome to stay with us anytime she wants. She will be heading back to the U.S. when the spring semester is over, but I let her know that I meant what I said. If she wants to bring a friend or a family member back to visit Italy at some point, they are welcome to stay with us to cut the cost down. She squealed with delight and asked if she could hug me. XOXO

We exchanged phone numbers, and we have already texted back and forth numerous times. She is so sweet and thoroughly delightful. Benson exchanged contact info on Instagram with Dylan, so they are keeping in touch as well. In fact, Ayla just told me this morning that her parents and her boyfriend are coming to Italy next week. She asked if we could all get together for lunch! I am excited to meet them.

You just never know when someone will just waltz into your life like these two. They are truly some wonderful young adults, and both Benson and I were so blessed to have met them.

Don't mind my bad-hair-day . . . just focus on the cuteness of our faces, ha ha . . .

The River Brenta is always like a breath of fresh air for me. The water is so clear, it has such a beautiful and evolving shade of blue-green or green-blue (depending on the season), and it provides a calming strength from its drifting and sometimes churning waves.

Video here: (8 seconds) https://photos.app.goo.gl/jxV92xNKNWVcEPbC8

We walked out onto the flat rocks at varying times, whether to take more photos, or to just watch the ducks bobbing and diving in the shallows. 

Since it was Carnivale and people love to dress up, all I had to do was ask, "Con permiso?" to these two guys, when they happily (and immediately) posed for me. 

Cittadella: Next, we drove over to Cittadella so that Benson could add a different perspective to his photo adventures. I haven't been there in a while, so I'll share a few fun facts about the town again.

• Cittadella is a town of approximately 20,000 residents. 
• The wall surrounds the innermost and oldest part of the city, and was built in 1220 AD.
• This is the only fully intact, elliptical medieval parapet walk in all of Europe. 

It costs between 5 - 10 euros for a ticket to go up the steep stairs and walk around the entire oval loop.

Benson was impressed with the experience, so I'm glad we brought him there. :)

People are so friendly all over the world, and that especially includes Italy. We met a man as we were walking around the ancient parapet. He spoke really good English, but he was Italian and very well-dressed. He told us he has a daughter going to school in San Francisco and that he has flown over there to visit her. His plan this year is to go visit Yellowstone National Park with her. We excitedly told him that we have a home just 2 hours away from Yellowstone. He hung out with us for a while, wanting to get some information about the US and asking lots of questions to know how to fine tune his plans. I love conversations like these because they remind me of just how small the world really is. People tend to love their family members no matter where they call home. They work hard to provide for them, and then they reap the rewards of making memories together with their loved ones. We really aren't all that different.

I edited a giant crane out of this next photo . . . it wasn't a perfect editing job, but it will suffice.

As we came around the final stretch and back to where we started, I noticed there was a huge carnival set up across the moat and the streets below . . .

They had all the rides that you would find at a weekend carnival or town fair . . .

I loved taking sneaky photos of Benson from time to time, and I especially loved how this one turned out . . .

Sirmione:  Lake Garda is one of Benson's absolute favorite places in Northern Italy, so we just had to figure out where exactly to take him along its abundant shoreline. After some discussion, we settled on Sirmione because I knew he would want to see the Roman ruins there. He's a huge fan of Roman ruins, and if you add in his love for photography, well . . . it ends up being a perfect match!

For once, Sirmione wasn't overrun with crowds and tourists . . . We found a parking place with no problems and walked less than 5 minutes to get to the Scaligero Castle and the entrance to the most historic part of town. (Sirmione is pronounced like Seer-mee-OH-nay)

How fun to see this shiny gold car again - I remember seeing it once before, but it's been quite a while.

We didn't go inside the castle because A) Benson isn't as drawn to them as he is to being around water, and B) the castle was closed because it was a Monday.

Benson took some incredible photos during the two weeks that he was here. He's been editing them and enhancing them as soon as he got home. Here's a sampling of a few that he shared with me this morning.

Here are Ayla and Dylan, our new friends that we met in Bassano del Grappa . . .

The same church in Cittadella where I *sort of* edited out the crane . . . Well, Benson took it to a whole new level!!

Fancy cars always catch his eye anywhere we go, including this one . . .

Lake Garda at Sirmione . . .

This is one of my favorites that he shared of a swan cleaning itself on the steps of Lazise . . . WOW.

This next photo has a story behind it. On our way home from Germany after seeing Avery, we stopped at Lake Lucerne, Switzerland to get out and walk for a bit. Benson wanted to get a photo of this speedy motorcycle guy as he whizzed by, but there were two other "dumb cars" in the frame at the same time. Benson threw his hands up in frustration because he saw a "moment" and a potentially incredible shot, but now it was ruined. Well . . . the guy on the motorcycle saw Benson's hands go up in the air on his sideview mirror (while simultaneously shifting to go around the curve) and instantly knew what the frustrated gesture meant. So the guy CIRCLED BACK and pulled over to talk to Benson! He figured that Benson wanted to take a photo and so he decided to offer him another opportunity. They exchanged contact info on Instagram so Benson could send the guy some photos once he had a chance to edit them. And then the guy zoomed back and forth 3 times so Benson could have ample opportunity to capture something good. What an amazing guy. 

This is one of the final results. Wow. So cool!!

You see what I mean about there being good people all over the world???

Now, back to my very simple amateur photos . . . ha ha

Here's a nice long video for those of you who like to hear the sound of crashing waves: (43 seconds)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fKmQ84GLZd8CVzQbA

There is a really old garden of olive trees near the Roman ruins, and I love taking photos of unique olive trees - like this one . . . I've been compiling a photo album of several olive trees that Amber can use for reference photos whenever she's ready to start on another painting for me. 

In the past, we've been able to walk out pretty far on these flat limestone slabs around the northern tip of Sirmione (called Jamaica Beach), but not during our last few visits. They have been mostly or completely under water. I'm not sure what causes this, because it's not like there's a rising and falling tide at play . . .

Actually, I just asked ChatGPT and here are some bullet points that he shared (with paraphrasing):

• Seiches: (the main reason) These are slow, basin-wide standing waves. Think of Lake Garda like a giant bath tub. When strong or persistent winds push water toward one end of the lake, it creates sloshes. Lake Garda's main seiche cycle is 12 hours, with smaller oscillations layered on top.
• Different winds: In the morning, wind blows from the north - called "Peler". This pushes water southward, raising levels and covering the rocks. In the afternoon, wind blows from the south - called "Ora", pushing water northward and lowering the water levels near Sirmione. (Sirmione is at the south end of the lake) This effect can happen within hours, which is why the beach can look completely different from morning to afternoon.
• Air pressure & weather: Low atmospheric pressure allows the lake surface to rise slightly. High pressure pushes it down. Small changes matter a lot on shallow, gentle sloping rock shelves like those at Jamaica Beach in Sirmione.
• Seasonal lake level management: Lake Garda is partly regulated for flood prevention, irrigation needs downstream, and hydropower. In spring and early summer, levels are often kept higher. In late summer or winter, levels may be lower, exposing more rock.

So there you go. Physics and weather. Who knew!??

I finally caught up to this guy and got him to stay still long enough for a photo. He was always a mile ahead, bushwacking his own path wherever we went. 

Sadly, the Roman ruins were closed that day. What a bummer! Benson was still super happy though, because we were AT THE LAKE, which is exactly what he wanted.

Lazise: Our last stop of the weekend was at Lazise. (pronounced like Laht-ZEE-tzay) Lazise is just one of those really special places in the world. It's extraordinarily cute and charming, it's not too big, there's easy parking nearby, and it's very walkable. The family and friends that I have taken to Lazise have all reported that they absolutely loved it. My sister Melanie even encouraged me to bring all of our guests here because it's just that cute. XOXO

Within 5 minutes of parking your car, this is where you end up. Simply breathtaking.

Video of the diving birds, including a baby bird that might be part mermaid: (23 seconds)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1WGM49y2pbULFHqXA

We saw a handful of swans, including this one as we circled back around to the little harbor a second time . . .

Our little feetsies . . . (L to R: Me, Scott, and Benson)

I haven't had any gelato in months. MONTHS. How preposterous and absurd is that!! But when you're in Lazise, you ALWAYS get some gelato at the little gelateria that gave my grandson Jack a little pitcher of milk to drink with a straw (back in 2023). It's a pilgrimage. You just gotta. 

Even though it was a bit chilly out, I chose a Nutella flavor (in honor of my granddaughter Abby who chooses this flavor EVERY single time) and Lazise's local specialty (whose name escapes me) which consists of a creamy French vanilla with a cherry infusion and little bits of biscotti cookies.  

Oddly, I found it all to be a bit too sweet for my liking. Maybe because I haven't had it in a while. The only sweet treats I've consumed in recent months tend to be a few squares of dark chocolate or a vanilla protein pudding with a few mini chocolate chips sprinkled on top. I couldn't even finish the gelato!! Wow, I have become so weak as of late. Not to worry though. When summer hits, I'll be back at it again.

Benson was really craving sushi, and I hadn't eaten any for a long time, so when we got back to Vicenza, Benson chose this place. It's called Kashima Sushi and it's just one building over from where we go to church. The restaurant felt super fancy inside and was beautifully decorated. 

We ordered small platters of sushi on the digital tablet that our server left with us. Benson chose some really good ones. The very first one that we ordered, which had shrimp and mango, was INCREDIBLE. Seriously amazing. As I finished my first piece, I told him that this was the best sushi I had ever had in my entire life!!

Here are a few more varieties . . . everything was SO GOOD.

Benson wasn't interested in trying this unique arrangement of salmon tartare on a chip. They called it something like a sushi taco, ha ha. I can't remember the exact name on the menu. It was good. Not epic, but good.

Benson and I had such a great time during our fancy sushi dinner. Scott is not a sushi fan, so he opted to stay home and eat leftovers while he watched some Olympic events. Meanwhile, Benson and I enjoyed the ambiance, the food, the fantastic music, and some meaningful conversation. What a great way to close out the first full weekend with him here.

Coming up in the next blog post: Our trip to Bormio to watch Skimo at the Olympic venue and our subsequent trip across Switzerland, France, and Germany to visit his daughter, Avery.