Episodio 1/30

@ Venice Lido
Rayla 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 practise some of these Italian phrases in our brochure, Rayla. I'll ask you what your name is! Come si chiama, Lei?” asked Inga.
“No, my name isn't 'Lei'," replied Rayla, somewhat irritated. "Why are you asking that? Anyway—Mi chiamo Rayla."
"It doesn't mean, 'What's your name, Lei?'" responded Inga indignantly. "The whole thing means 'What is your name?'"
Rayla seized the phrasebook. "Doesn't make sense, going round asking pets if they're called 'Lei'", she grumbled.
Inga sighed heavily. "Let's try another one instead."
Venetian Gondolas at Dawn
Gondolas waiting in readiness for another busy day on the canals of Venice.

Episodio 3/30

@ Canal Locale
“Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Rayla?” suggested Kai, sinking down on a convenient tree stump.
Rayla agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
Canal Locale
This quaint little bridge is typical of the backwaters of Venice's watery streets.

Episodio 4/30

@ Grand Old Opera
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Rayla!” said Rascal ruefully.
"Never mind," said Rayla. "We'll look them up when we get back to the hotel tonight!"
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
Rayla was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Venus!” she exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!"
Bridge of Mystery
A beautiful old bridge in such a romantic city as Venice...

Episodio 6/30

@ Gondolas in the Misty Dawn
"Italian pets talk with their paws an awful lot, don't they, Tundra?" remarked Rayla.
"You know, I was talking to the tour guide about that, Rayla. 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!"
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
“Let's practise some Italian phrases, Rayla!" said Buzzz. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!”
Clutching the postcard, she looked at her friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'”
Rayla looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Buzzz? If I've performed a very minor service and you've said 'Thank you', do I need to say anything back? It's not like I made you a cake or mowed your lawn. I just handed you a postcard. You said 'thank you'. Couldn't I just smile slightly or something?"
Buzzz mused for some minutes. "The English language lacks the exact equivalent of prego or bitte schön and similar phrases in use in Continental Europe. Still, when in Rome ...!"
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
"Here's another bit of trivia for you, Chrysomelidae ♡!" called out Rayla. "The Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como has featured in which two well-known films?"
"I don't know, Rayla. Which films were they?"
"The James Bond film Casino Royale and Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," responded Rayla.
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
"Allegra," gulped Rayla apprehensively, "Have you seen this item on the itinerary? We'll be going to see an active volcano, Mount Vesuvius, on the Naples leg!"
"Don't worry, Rayla!" said Allegra reassuringly. "It's not erupted since 79 CE. Admittedly, on that occasion, it did wipe out the Roman city of Pompeii and an estimated three million inhabitants, but today Mount Vesuvius is a large national park that attracts tourists wanting to hike up to the top and take a look inside. The brochure says the trail to the top is beginner-friendly and about a 2½ mile (4km) round trip."
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
"Milan is widely considered to be the fashion capital of the world. Many internationally renowned fashion brands are based in Milan, including Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Prada. Quadrilatero della Moda is the high-end fashion district in Milan that contains luxury brands and exclusive fashion boutiques. It’s one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world," read out Choose a name from the itinerary.
"We'll have to take care not to go too mad there, Choose a name!" responded Rayla. "Perhaps a designer T-shirt!"
"Hmm—I think a designer bath cube will be more within my budget!" remarked Choose a name.
Orange and Lemon
These magnificent buildings on Venice's Grand Canal are in gorgeous shades of amber and apricot.

Episodio 11/30

@ Water Taxi
"Here's another bit of trivia for you, Nanuk!" called out Rayla. "The Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como has featured in which two well-known films?"
"I don't know, Rayla. Which films were they?"
"The James Bond film Casino Royale and Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," responded Rayla.
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
“Let's practise some Italian phrases, Rayla!" said Artie. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!”
Clutching the postcard, he looked at his friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'”
Rayla looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Artie? If I've performed a very minor service and you've said 'Thank you', do I need to say anything back? It's not like I made you a cake or mowed your lawn. I just handed you a postcard. You said 'thank you'. Couldn't I just smile slightly or something?"
Artie mused for some minutes. "The English language lacks the exact equivalent of prego or bitte schön and similar phrases in use in Continental Europe. Still, when in Rome ...!"
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
Rayla 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 Rayla. “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?”
Rayla thought about it for a while. “You may have a point there, PI PI!” she said.
Serene Venice
Venice at night—serene and romantic ...

Episodio 14/30

@ Gothic Windows
“What have you got in your rucksack, Jesse?” asked Rayla. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Rayla,” responded Jesse. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Gothic Windows
Gondolas wait moored outside these architectural wonders.

Episodio 15/30

@ Venetian Nights
Half way through Rayla'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
Rayla and Adriana shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Rayla. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Adriana. “This is my best side.”
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
"It must be so romantic working on a vineyard, Rayla," said Eyre 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 Rayla. “Then more work throughout spring, leaf pruning later in the year, followed by grape pruning. It doesn’t stop.”
Eyre waved his glass. “I’ll have staff to do all that,” he said.
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
Erzebet was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Rayla unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking Erzebet’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Erzebet, 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!”
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
"I think there'll be quite a few tired paws, wings and flippers when we get back to the tour bus," said Slushie, after she and Rayla had spent some time exploring another narrow, winding alleyway to its end.
"Is there a gift shop at the end?" enquired Rayla. "The thought of that generally keeps me going."
Lagoon Boat Trip
All over Venice, small boats are at hand to ferry passengers hither and thither.

Episodio 20/30

@ Dreamy Venice Sunset
"When we get back I'm going to go to the library and see if Mrs Eucalyptus can recommend a book about architecture," said Nibbles. "I've realised how little I know about it."
Rayla thought about this. "Good scheme!" 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
“Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Rayla?” suggested Edwina, sinking down on a convenient tree stump.
Rayla agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
Burano, Italy
This colourful little town is near Venice.

Episodio 22/30

@ Venetian Memories
“Let's hope Foxy doesn't get as seasick as he did on the Irish Sea, Rayla!” said shakur, studying the future itinerary.
"Can you get seasick on a lake?" asked Rayla.
"Oh yes, indeedy," said shakur.
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
"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 Rayla.
"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 Bentley.
Rayla 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!"
Ornate Italian Ironwork
A fine example of wrought ironwork guarding this Italian house.

Episodio 24/30

@ Tyrolean Peaks
“Let's practise some of these Italian phrases in our brochure, Rayla. I'll ask you what your name is! Come si chiama, Lei?” asked Buster.
“No, my name isn't 'Lei'," replied Rayla, somewhat irritated. "Why are you asking that? Anyway—Mi chiamo Rayla."
"It doesn't mean, 'What's your name, Lei?'" responded Buster indignantly. "The whole thing means 'What is your name?'"
Rayla seized the phrasebook. "Doesn't make sense, going round asking pets if they're called 'Lei'", she grumbled.
Buster sighed heavily. "Let's try another one instead."
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
"Erzebet," gulped Rayla apprehensively, "Have you seen this item on the itinerary? We'll be going to see an active volcano, Mount Vesuvius, on the Naples leg!"
"Don't worry, Rayla!" said Erzebet reassuringly. "It's not erupted since 79 CE. Admittedly, on that occasion, it did wipe out the Roman city of Pompeii and an estimated three million inhabitants, but today Mount Vesuvius is a large national park that attracts tourists wanting to hike up to the top and take a look inside. The brochure says the trail to the top is beginner-friendly and about a 2½ mile (4km) round trip."
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
“Oh hello, Rayla!” cried Dusty. “Didn’t we bump into each other in Scotland back in the spring? This is quite the change of scene, isn't 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
"We'll be seeing a bit of everything here in Italy," remarked Darkling. "You could say, from Giotto to gelato!"
"That pistachio gelato we had last night was superb!" marvelled Rayla. "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
Rayla was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Sadie!” she exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!"
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
“Oh wow, Rayla, there's a butterfly!” Laila Lu cried out.
“It looks like a Mazarine Blue," replied Rayla knowledgeably.
Dolomite Songster
A lone songbird greets the dawn in the Italian Dolomtes.

Episodio 30/30

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