Soave and Padua

After Lake Como, we headed east towards Padua and spotted Castello di Scaligero on a little hilltop and just had to stop. (Besides, it was time for a gelato break anyway.)

After storming the castle, the muskateers had their gelato while mommy did a tv interview with the Armed Forces Network that was there in Soave doing a series on travel in the region (so random!)

On the outskirts of Padua, we stopped for dinner at a restaurant housed in a former terracotta tile factory. Ava rejoices as she realizes "Every night is Friday pizza night in Italy!" (We usually have pizza Fridays in Bucharest.)

Pure enjoyment.

Luckily, we didn't get kicked out of our hotel in Padua due to Audrey's over-tired screaming-before-crashing-to-sleep fit. When the manager called, I offered to leave, but he was very good about it, and spoke with Audrey on the phone at which point she realized the gravity of the situation, promised not to scream in the hotel, and went peacefully to sleep. The next morning, Audrey apologized to the manager in person and I think she's a changed woman--that little brush with the hotel "police" really impressed her. After checking out of the hotel, we checked out Padua and the famed Scrovegni Chapel with its colorful frescoes by the Italian master Giotto.

"Touch me not"

Schatzi has quickly become a gelato connoiseur, seeking out gelaterias that are "artigianale" or artisanal/housemade. The one in Padua was superb!