Episodio 1/30

@ Venice Lido
Maria begins her tour of "Northern Italy - Venice and Tyrol" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Italy - North - Venice and Tyrol
We start by unashamedly concentrating on the beautiful water city of Venice from dawn to night life, and experience delights from gondola trips on the canals, viewing quaint little bridges and magnificent architecture, to a visit to the grand Opera House. The pets will round off their Venetian tour with a visit to the famous Murano glass factory! We then move on to a colourful little town outside Venice before completing this leg of the trip by visiting scenes of a very different nature in the mountainous South Tyrol and Dolomites.
Venice Lido
The term Lido, which originates from this island, forms the first part of the name of many seaside resorts in Italy and is used to refer to certain types of outdoor swimming pools, especially in Great Britain. It also the origin of the name "Lido deck" on a cruise ship.

Episodio 2/30

@ Venetian Gondolas at Dawn
“Let’s pose with one of us each side of this attraction and I’ll set the self-timer to take a shot,” said Maria to Marmite. “It’ll be a great souvenir of our time here!”
Venetian Gondolas at Dawn
Gondolas waiting in readiness for another busy day on the canals of Venice.

Episodio 3/30

@ Canal Locale
"I've bought so many souvenirs already my backpack's almost full!" said lady ciganko.
"Me too!" said Maria. "It's great on this tour, isn't it?"
Canal Locale
This quaint little bridge is typical of the backwaters of Venice's watery streets.

Episodio 4/30

@ Grand Old Opera
Maria and Coal were entranced on reaching this Mediterranean viewpoint and eagerly posed for a picture standing on either side!
Grand Old Opera
Have you got your opera glasses at the ready? As the lights dim and the chatter dies down, prepare to be amazed! What musical treat is in store? Is it perhaps something by Verdi, or Rossini? Or then again, it could be a piece by Mascagni, Puccini or Vivaldi!

Episodio 5/30

@ Bridge of Mystery
"It's turned a bit hot, Maria. I'm going to put my sunhat on," said Itchy.
"Good scheme! I'll dig mine out as well," said Maria.
Bridge of Mystery
A beautiful old bridge in such a romantic city as Venice...

Episodio 6/30

@ Gondolas in the Misty Dawn
"What are you doing, Molly?" asked Maria, coming across her friend in the hotel lounge, clutching a notebook and pen.
"I'm keeping a diary of our experiences on this trip, Maria. I don't want to forget anything!" responded Molly. "Oh, and the tour guide taught me a lovely phrase just now—Dall'Italia, con amore!—'From Italy, with love'. I'm going to use it on my postcards home to my Mum."
Gondolas in the Misty Dawn
Venice -- the gondoliers must rise early to ready their craft for that day's trade ferrying passengers to and fro on the water streets of Venice.

Episodio 7/30

@ Grand Canal, Venice
"'Bella Italia!'" read out Meowchi from their tour brochure. " 'A country in which you will be swept off your paws by quaint seaside villages, pastoral countryside, idyllic islands, dramatic mountains and ancient historic cities. It's easy to understand why Bella Italia is one of the most romantic destinations in the world.'"
Maria settled back in her tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, Meowchi!"
Grand Canal, Venice
The Grand Canal not only connects most of Venice's top tourist attractions, it is one of its top attractions. Curving in a backwards 'S' shape through the very heart of the city, it is also Venice's High Street, always busy with waterborne traffic including everything from gondolas to barges carrying produce to market.

Episodio 8/30

@ Carnival of Venice
“I can never remember how to spell ‘Mediterranean’, Maria,” mused Midnight, clutching a postcard and sucking the end of her pen. “Is it two ts and one r?”
“Simples,” grinned Maria. “You just need to remember it’s got ‘terra’ in the middle, which is Latin for ‘earth’, and the ‘Medi’ bit means ‘middle’. Put the two together and Bob’s your uncle.”
“Middle Earth!” cried Midnight.
Carnival of Venice
The Carnevale di Venezia is one of the most well known carnivals around the world, and a charming characteristic of the city. It originated as a celebration of the last days of Lent centuries ago. Wearing a colourful mask hid differences in class and status and enabled the working classes to poke fun at the aristocracy. The carnival annually attracts many tourists, who applaud the sumptuous costumes and masks being paraded in the streets and piazzas. Creating masks is an art form in Venice.

Episodio 9/30

@ Fiery Venetian Sunset
"It must be so romantic working on a vineyard, Maria," said Sugar contentedly sipping grape juice after a hard day’s sightseeing. "Imagine picking the ripe grapes while the sun sets and seeing them turned into wine!"
"Hmm—now imagine being up at dawn in the cold of January and February pruning the woody stalks by hand and crushing them up for compost,” said Maria. “Then more work throughout spring, leaf pruning later in the year, followed by grape pruning. It doesn’t stop.”
Sugar waved his glass. “I’ll have staff to do all that,” he said.
Fiery Venetian Sunset
Sunset falls on Venice's Grand Canal as the boats wind down their trade for the night.

Episodio 10/30

@ Orange and Lemon
On disembarking from the tour bus, Abel surveyed the current stopping place. “Would you fancy living here, Maria?”
"Well, it's certainly a bit different to where we live," said Maria. "But I could get used to it, I daresay!"
Orange and Lemon
These magnificent buildings on Venice's Grand Canal are in gorgeous shades of amber and apricot.

Episodio 11/30

@ Water Taxi
Maria and Mr. Dylan were entranced on reaching this Mediterranean viewpoint and eagerly posed for a picture standing on either side!
Water Taxi
What better way to admire the Venetian architecture than to lie back on the gondola cushions as the gondolier steers you along the Grand Canal?

Episodio 12/30

@ Murano Glass Birds
On disembarking from the tour bus, Tiara Maxwell surveyed the current stopping place. “Would you fancy living here, Maria?”
"Well, it's certainly a bit different to where we live," said Maria. "But I could get used to it, I daresay!"
Murano Glass Birds
Murano glassware production dates back to the Middle Ages. The same-name island has quickly become a centre of glassmaking and shot to fame worldwide attracting more and more visitors. MadeMuranoGlass.com is located right there, in the picturesque Venetian Lagoon, selling pieces of art that will spark your interest.

Episodio 13/30

@ Serene Venice
“Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Maria?” suggested Flare, sinking down on a convenient tree stump.
Maria agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
Serene Venice
Venice at night—serene and romantic ...

Episodio 14/30

@ Gothic Windows
"That was a lovely risotto we had for supper last night, wasn't it, moo moo?" remarked Maria.
"On our table the waiter explained that risotto is a rice dish with origins in Lombardy. It’s cooked in a broth to make it creamy. It must be made with a short-grain variant of Italian rice, usually Arborio, as this absorbs less water and gives the risotto a sticky texture," said moo moo.
Gothic Windows
Gondolas wait moored outside these architectural wonders.

Episodio 15/30

@ Venetian Nights
Half way through Maria's tour of "Northern Italy - Venice and Tyrol", she finds a special prize!
Soft Azure Lake
The soft delicate waters of this isolated lake are calling your name. Take some time off your busy schedule to make a visit.
Venetian Nights
As the heat of the day falls and the daytime busy-ness of the canal dies down, Venice lights up as waterside bars and restaurants fill up with patrons all set to enjoy pizza, pasta and Chianti while the water laps against the tethered gondolas.

Episodio 16/30

@ Caorle Lighthouse, Italy
“Let's practise saying 'hello' in Italian," said PrimRose.
"That's an easy one—Ciao!” said Maria, beaming happily.
"Mm—yes, and mmm—no," replied PrimRose. "You should only say Ciao to pets you know very well. You mustn't say it to somepet's grandmother who you haven't met before, and you shouldn't walk into a shop and say it. It's far too informal."
“So what do you say then?" queried Maria, somewhat grumpily.
"The simplest thing to say to friends or strangers to greet them is Salve!" replied PrimRose.
Caorle Lighthouse, Italy
Caorle Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located on a little promontory at the end of the waterfront promenade in Caorle, Veneto on the Adriatic Sea. The lighthouse, established in 1905, consists of a quadrangular bell tower, 9 m (30 ft) high.

Episodio 17/30

@ Venetian Mystery
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Maria!” said Felix ruefully.
"Never mind," said Maria. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"
Venetian Mystery
Dive in the wonderful atmosphere of a concert or an opera on stages full of charm and history, in the company of the virtuosity of great musicians and the amazing voices of singers in immortal operas.

Episodio 18/30

@ Murano Glass Bubbles
"Italy—the perfect choice for our travels this summer, Maria!" enthused Grayson.
"Yup. Pizza, pasta, Prada. I can't wait to get to Milan!"
"Oh! I was thinking more of world famous paintings and architecture, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, the Colosseum of Ancient Rome, Venice's canals, Pompeii, the opera. Italy has given the world so much!" said Grayson.
Maria unwrapped a torta al cioccolato pastiglia for herself, popped it in her mouth and offered the packet to Grayson. "Sure! You know me, I love a bit of culture. As long as there's a nice gift shop at the end, I'm happy."
Murano Glass Bubbles
Skilled craftsmen of Murano fashion these gorgeous globes in an array of stunning colours: azure, turquoise, orange, lime green and amber. Your trip to Venice would be incomplete without a visit to this artisans' factory!

Episodio 19/30

@ Lagoon Boat Trip
“Ooh, it's just starting to drizzle, Maria!” said Zoey. “Can you hold my gelato and map while I dig out my Pac-a-Mac?"
Maria good-naturedly took charge of Zoey's possessions while she emptied her rucksack of a pack of sandwiches, a Thermos flask, a pair of galoshes, a bag of toffees, a paperback novel, a bottle of mineral water, an address book, some postage stamps, an assortment of different coloured biros, a bottle opener, a couple of old train tickets, a handful of golden and silver moles, a hotel key, some shopping receipts and a selection of rather battered sachets of salt, sugar and tomato ketchup before locating the Pac-a-Mac right at the bottom. This she donned and then Maria helped her put everything back in her rucksack.
Lagoon Boat Trip
All over Venice, small boats are at hand to ferry passengers hither and thither.

Episodio 20/30

@ Dreamy Venice Sunset
"The tour guide said we'll be visiting Il Duomo. I asked her what that was and she said it meant 'the cathedral' in Italian. But there are lots of cathedrals in Italy!" remarked Maria.
"When they say Il Duomo they most often mean the one in Florence, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It says in our brochure it was first built in the 13th century, with the dome added in the 15th century. It has a pink, white and green exterior in a gothic style with a large dome on top. Sounds beautiful!" remarked Oscar.
Maria mused for a minute. "I guess it's like when we were touring England last spring, everypet in London would talk about 'The Monument'—to the Great Fire of London of 1666—as if there were only one monument in the whole of London, instead of thousands!"
Dreamy Venice Sunset
As the sun falls and a mist rises, Venice starts to wind down after another busy day.

Episodio 21/30

@ Burano, Italy
“Wouldn't it be lovely to live in a lighthouse like this one pictured in our itinerary in Genoa? So romantic!" mused Maria, sipping a leisurely espresso.
"Well, I don't know," said Kitty. "It's not all about drinking coffee and gazing at the sea. You have run up and down stairs to operate the light and the foghorn, and there may be no running water or electricity apart from a generator."
Maria considered this. "Mine would be a luxurious, converted, non-operational lighthouse, then."
Burano, Italy
This colourful little town is near Venice.

Episodio 22/30

@ Venetian Memories
“Where are we now, Maria?” asked Olivia.
"If it's Tuesday this must be Tuscany!" joked Maria. "Only kidding—let me check the map!"
Venetian Memories
Anypet would love to own this splendid oil painting to put on their wall as a beautiful memento of their Italian trip!

Episodio 23/30

@ Ornate Italian Ironwork
"What are you doing, Trix?" asked Maria, coming across her friend in the hotel lounge, clutching a notebook and pen.
"I'm keeping a diary of our experiences on this trip, Maria. I don't want to forget anything!" responded Trix. "Oh, and the tour guide taught me a lovely phrase just now—Dall'Italia, con amore!—'From Italy, with love'. I'm going to use it on my postcards home to my Mum."
Ornate Italian Ironwork
A fine example of wrought ironwork guarding this Italian house.

Episodio 24/30

@ Tyrolean Peaks
“Hey, have you seen what the next stop is, Maria?” said LILJE. "It looks fantastic!"
"I'll get my camera ready," said Maria.
Tyrolean Peaks
Imagine living and working on the slopes of this mountain range, far from the nearest town, with the chamois and other wildlife as your companions! The peace and being at one with nature must make up for the lack of mod cons.

Episodio 25/30

@ Dolomite Backdrop
"It would be great to live on a houseboat in Italy!" said Julius enthusiastically. "You can sail round most of the country, and when you get tired, just moor the boat and hop in a bunk!"
Maria considered this carefully. "I don’t think houseboats are designed to go on the sea, Julius. You’d have to get a proper yacht, or something.”
Dolomite Backdrop
This is a "The hills are alive with the sound of music" backdrop if ever there was one! It is situated in Villnöß, Funes, South Tyrol, Italy. It has a German name and most people here speak German as their first language rather than Italian.

Episodio 26/30

@ Pragser Wildsee, Tyrol
"I'm going to have me a hazelnut gelato at the hotel tonight, Yozaria!" announced Maria.
"I can never decide what my favourite flavour is! I love the pistachio, also the chocolate mint, and the vanilla is fabulous, too!" responded Yozaria.
Pragser Wildsee, Tyrol
The most iconic sight in the Dolomites, the Lago di Braies is famous the world over for its turquoise waters, numerous boat houses, impressive spruce pines forests and immense limestone peaks.

Episodio 27/30

@ Mountain Skiing
"We'll be seeing a bit of everything here in Italy," remarked Emmy Yankirii. "You could say, from Giotto to gelato!"
"That pistachio gelato we had last night was superb!" marvelled Maria. "You can certainly tell the difference between Italian ice cream and the mass produced stuff we have at home!"
Mountain Skiing
The Dolomites in Italy waking up to another day's skiing opportunities.

Episodio 28/30

@ Skiing Paradise
"It says in our brochure that Italy has produced many luxury sports cars, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. That's impressive, isn't it, Amanda?" remarked Maria.
"Well, they certainly are amazing, Maria," responded Amanda. "But I'd rather own a little Fiat 500! They are terminally cute!"
Skiing Paradise
Perfectly manicured white slopes for skiing in winter or fragrant flower meadows and dreamy scenery in summer months? The Dolomites can offer you both.

Episodio 29/30

@ Dolomite Songster
"We'll be spending at least three days in Venice, as there's so much to see, Maria!" remarked Cherrie. "It says in our brochure it's one of the most recognisable destinations in the world thanks to its unique construction of canals and bridges. It says the main city of Venice is made up of 118 islands connected only by 400 bridges and 170 canals. It’s renowned for its gondolas, flat bottomed Venetian rowing boats that are the equivalent to taxis. Becoming a gondolier is no easy feat as you need a professional licence that’s only granted after 400 hours of training."
"It doesn't sound as bad as London black cab drivers having to take The Knowledge before being granted a licence. That can take three or four years!" remarked Maria.
Dolomite Songster
A lone songbird greets the dawn in the Italian Dolomtes.

Episodio 30/30

@ Misty Peaks
As Maria's tour of "Northern Italy - Venice and Tyrol" comes to an end, she rests under a shady tree and looks back on a perfect day.
Soft Azure Stepped Waterfall
Cascading not-so-slowly down a set of stone stairs, this waterfall is small yet powerful.
Misty Peaks
The Dolomites at dawn -- a rhapsody in blue!
Maria has completed their tour of "Northern Italy - Venice and Tyrol"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of Italy!