Episodio 1/30

@ Venice Lido
Precilla 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
Precilla and Roby shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Precilla. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Roby. “This is my best side.”
Venetian Gondolas at Dawn
Gondolas waiting in readiness for another busy day on the canals of Venice.

Episodio 3/30

@ Canal Locale
“If there's time at the end when we get back to the hotel, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting," Digger said, offering Precilla a chestnut biscotto from the bag and then unwrapping one for himself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Digger!" said Precilla.
Canal Locale
This quaint little bridge is typical of the backwaters of Venice's watery streets.

Episodio 4/30

@ Grand Old Opera
"Here's another bit of trivia for you, Choose a name!" called out Precilla. "The Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como has featured in which two well-known films?"
"I don't know, Precilla. Which films were they?"
"The James Bond film Casino Royale and Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," responded Precilla.
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
“Oh wow, Precilla, there's a butterfly!” Bolly cried out.
“It looks like a Mazarine Blue," replied Precilla knowledgeably.
Bridge of Mystery
A beautiful old bridge in such a romantic city as Venice...

Episodio 6/30

@ Gondolas in the Misty Dawn
"When we get back I'm going to go to the library and see if Mrs Eucalyptus can recommend a book about architecture," said jimkitty. "I've realised how little I know about it."
Precilla thought about this. "Good scheme!" she said.
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
"Italy—the perfect choice for our travels this summer, Precilla!" enthused Nicole.
"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 Nicole.
Precilla unwrapped a torta al cioccolato pastiglia for herself, popped it in her mouth and offered the packet to Nicole. "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."
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
"What does Benvenuti a tutti! mean, Applesauce?" queried Precilla, admiring the front of her travel itinerary.
"It means 'Welcome, everypet!" replied Applesauce.
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
“Wouldn't it be lovely to live in a lighthouse like this one pictured in our itinerary in Genoa? So romantic!" mused Precilla, sipping a leisurely espresso.
"Well, I don't know," said Legolas. "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."
Precilla considered this. "Mine would be a luxurious, converted, non-operational lighthouse, then."
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
Precilla flicked through the phrasebook. “The tour guide at the door of the museum this morning said Prego! as she ushered us all in. She said it meant ‛After you'. I asked her especially.”
“It's one of those terms that mean a number of things: ‛you're welcome', ‛don't mention it', ‛not at all', ‛after you!'. For example, if I reached for your bottle of orange juice you'd say, “Prego!—meaning ‛Please! Help yourself!”
“No, I wouldn't. I'd jolly well tell you to get your paws off it,” grumbled Precilla. “It's very confusing, having just one word covering half a dozen situations.”
“Would you rather have to learn half a dozen different phrases, like you'd have in English, to cover each one?”
Precilla thought about it for a while. “You may have a point there, Misty!” she said.
Orange and Lemon
These magnificent buildings on Venice's Grand Canal are in gorgeous shades of amber and apricot.

Episodio 11/30

@ Water Taxi
Precilla and Violet Flame shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Precilla. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Violet Flame. “This is my best 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, Solo surveyed the current stopping place. “Would you fancy living here, Precilla?”
"Well, it's certainly a bit different to where we live," said Precilla. "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
Sea Breeze was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Precilla unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking Sea Breeze’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Sea Breeze, irritated. “We’re about to pose on either side of this amazing scene—the picture will all be of your map if you don’t fold it up pronto!”
Serene Venice
Venice at night—serene and romantic ...

Episodio 14/30

@ Gothic Windows
"Italian pets talk with their paws an awful lot, don't they, pinky pie?" remarked Precilla.
"You know, I was talking to the tour guide about that, Precilla. She said the gestures originate from the Romans who used chironomia, which incorporates hand movements into everyday language. They aren’t random gestures, each one has a meaning; so as a foreign pet, you never really known what they mean!"
Gothic Windows
Gondolas wait moored outside these architectural wonders.

Episodio 15/30

@ Venetian Nights
Half way through Precilla'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
Fala was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Precilla unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking Fala’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Fala, irritated. “We’re about to pose on either side of this amazing scene—the picture will all be of your map if you don’t fold it up pronto!”
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've bought so many souvenirs already my backpack's almost full!" said Rosa.
"Me too!" said Precilla. "It's great on this tour, isn't it?"
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
“Let's practise saying 'hello' in Italian," said Melb’u’n.
"That's an easy one—Ciao!” said Precilla, beaming happily.
"Mm—yes, and mmm—no," replied Melb’u’n. "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 Precilla, somewhat grumpily.
"The simplest thing to say to friends or strangers to greet them is Salve!" replied Melb’u’n.
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
"Italian pets talk with their paws an awful lot, don't they, Plandemic?" remarked Precilla.
"You know, I was talking to the tour guide about that, Precilla. She said the gestures originate from the Romans who used chironomia, which incorporates hand movements into everyday language. They aren’t random gestures, each one has a meaning; so as a foreign pet, you never really known what they mean!"
Lagoon Boat Trip
All over Venice, small boats are at hand to ferry passengers hither and thither.

Episodio 20/30

@ Dreamy Venice Sunset
"It must be so romantic working on a vineyard, Precilla," said Bonny 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 Precilla. “Then more work throughout spring, leaf pruning later in the year, followed by grape pruning. It doesn’t stop.”
Bonny waved her glass. “I’ll have staff to do all that,” she said.
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
"Hey, it says in our tour guide that construction of the 8-storey Leaning Tower of Pisa started in 1173 and took 200 years to complete! It quite puts that two-week delay on your bathroom tiling project into perspective, doesn't it, Mittens?" remarked Precilla. "Also, the name of the architect has been lost in the sands of time. You sort of wonder whether he'd have wanted his name to be linked to a tower that leans so noticeably to one side!"
Mittens leaned across to read the description of the famous Leaning Tower. "It's good in a way that we can celebrate such an apparent disaster," he said. "It says here that it's a very popular design for wedding cakes!"
Burano, Italy
This colourful little town is near Venice.

Episodio 22/30

@ Venetian Memories
“Would you pass me the binoculars, Precilla?” said Blástjarna. "I think that's an Alpine swift flitting around over there! They spend most of their lives in the air, you know."
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
“Let's practise saying 'hello' in Italian," said Olivia.
"That's an easy one—Ciao!” said Precilla, beaming happily.
"Mm—yes, and mmm—no," replied Olivia. "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 Precilla, somewhat grumpily.
"The simplest thing to say to friends or strangers to greet them is Salve!" replied Olivia.
Ornate Italian Ironwork
A fine example of wrought ironwork guarding this Italian house.

Episodio 24/30

@ Tyrolean Peaks
“Ooh, it's just starting to drizzle, Precilla!” said Angel. “Can you hold my gelato and map while I dig out my Pac-a-Mac?"
Precilla good-naturedly took charge of Angel'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 Precilla helped her put everything back in her rucksack.
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 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, Miss Tan?" remarked Precilla.
"Well, they certainly are amazing, Precilla," responded Miss Tan. "But I'd rather own a little Fiat 500! They are terminally cute!"
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
“What have you got in your rucksack, Hoot?” asked Precilla. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Precilla,” responded Hoot. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
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
“Where are we now, Precilla?” asked Winter.
"If it's Tuesday this must be Tuscany!" joked Precilla. "Only kidding—let me check the map!"
Mountain Skiing
The Dolomites in Italy waking up to another day's skiing opportunities.

Episodio 28/30

@ Skiing Paradise
"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Precilla," said Lucy, "for this experience alone?"
Precilla, admiring the scene they were now in, heartily agreed!
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
“Let's practise some of these Italian phrases in our brochure, Precilla. I'll ask you what your name is! Come si chiama, Lei?” asked Dorlinger.
“No, my name isn't 'Lei'," replied Precilla, somewhat irritated. "Why are you asking that? Anyway—Mi chiamo Precilla."
"It doesn't mean, 'What's your name, Lei?'" responded Dorlinger indignantly. "The whole thing means 'What is your name?'"
Precilla seized the phrasebook. "Doesn't make sense, going round asking pets if they're called 'Lei'", she grumbled.
Dorlinger sighed heavily. "Let's try another one instead."
Dolomite Songster
A lone songbird greets the dawn in the Italian Dolomtes.

Episodio 30/30

@ Misty Peaks
As Precilla'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!
Precilla has completed their tour of "Northern Italy - Venice and Tyrol"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of Italy!