Asolo
Italy Sparkles Like Never Before
It was a press trip to Asolo in Northern Italy and we were there to try the wonderful sparkling wines the area produces, and also to let some of that Italian magic rub off on us. I saw so many scenes that were typically Italian that my camera was constantly taking clicking away.
I had arrived a day late, due to other commitments, and had to leave a day early (cannot remember why) but in my short visit everywhere seemed to provide sights of interest.
An evocative street in Asolo. Underneath the arches were lots of artisanal shops selling all manner of interesting things. It's where I bought two original doorknobs for my wine cupboard at home. Pop around and I'll point them out.
You can blame 'Ripley' for my constant use of monochrome. This is looking down and thanking my lucky stars that I didn't have to walk up.
We'd had a masterclass and lunch at the home of explorer Freya Stark. I was queuing up to pile my plate full of Italian goodies when I noticed this wonderful building in my sightline. What a place to live!
Even the statues go all romantic when the Italian atmosphere washes over them.
This was a lion fountain on some unassuming road. I was lost and thought it would be a short-cut.
This was taken at an old winery just outside Asolo and I pondered about using it for the cover of a book because I found it a little mysterious. If you look hard there are quite a few different things going on.
We'd got off the coach and were pushed and shoved by a group of winery visitors. Of course we pushed and shoved in return, and after a truce had been called we all grabbed our food, a glass of wine, sat down and let this scene wash over us. It proved most relaxing.
This was taken on the day I arrived for the press trip. I'd flown in to Venice Airport late and took this to calm me down.
The people at Studio Cru organise such wonderful press visits, and as well as tasting some amazing wines, we are lucky enough to sample food from some stunning restaurants, and this is the view that was over my shoulder as I tucked in to a plate of delicious gnocchi and sage.
This was my last day in Asolo and I was leaving after a meal. This was the view that greeted me as I left to get in my taxi to the airport, and is my last photo from that Asolo trip.