Vincenza and Elderhostel

We spent yesterday dodging raindrops, hiding in our hotel room, then venturing out to see some local museums. After 3 we walked down to the Elderhostel hotel and checked in. We met up with one of the guides and joined the group on a tour of Palladio's Teatro Olympico. It is a spectacular inside theater, designed by Palladio, inside an old castle then prison. It was finished after his death in 1580.

Today we had a lecture about Andrea Palladio, then a walking tour of Vincenza. We got to see mare examples of his work, and two different explanations of the history of his buildings. Vincenza is really patterned after his work. Even the telephone and postal building built in the 1930's by the fascists has the same palladian arch details.

We get fitted for our bikes later this afternoon. We are having a little free time this afternoon. Our group is about 21 people, with 2 guides, and they hire local guides as we go along. We are probably the youngest, and pretty much best in shape. Looking at the itinerary it seems that this won't be real hard riding. We figure it will get us back in shape for the Croatia tour.

I'll post some photos since it has been a while.

Our elderhostel hotel is quite luxurious compared to the places we've been staying on our own. There was even room for both of us to do yoga at the same time which is not common in most hotel rooms.

Bathrooms, toilets etc:

The good: we have bidets in quite a few hotel bathrooms. Don't need one, but it means there is space. Space is good. The only place we've had a tub was in Soriano, and that was in the bedroom. Some showers were so small you couldn't bend over to pick up the soap. Toilets. All flush differently. Some with tanks, some not. Some with seats, some not. The worst, if you don't count dirty, are the ones with places for your feet, and you squat. We're glad we've been doing our yoga.

Anne