My early wake up wasn’t as bad as expected and it did mean I got to see the sun rise over the old city. Not a bad sight to wake up to although, again, this bright sky is deceptive; there’s ice on the roofs and I can still see my breath.
Today is the day for the mountains. Up and out by 9am we drove northwards, past Thiene (where I’d worked in the summer) and into the valleys. It’s always amazing for me to see just how sheer the mountains are here; they really do just rise out of the plain below. My car snap isn’t great but it was the best I could do..
Before we started to really climb, the valleys began to narrow and close in and we were suddenly surrounded by huge peaks. We arrived at the little town of Arsiero and I was so excited being in such a gorgeous place that I asked Fabio if he didn’t mind changing plans and could we just climb one of these mountains! So we did!
The peak of Monte Cimone is visible from the town and spotted easily by its distinguishable, huge white cross. (I say distinguishable yet many mountains, even small hills, have crosses on top of them.) On my map we found a path and, once wrapped up in jackets and scarves, we started to climb.
Being such a bright day, once we were walking we really didn’t need all those layers. I was just glad I’d brought my bag to stuff it all into.
Soon enough we’d climbed high enough for a view of the valley. By this point I was down to just a t-shirt.
We didn’t really know how far it was to Monte Cimone so after an hour and a half hiking up a (admittedly) very steep path we decided – when we saw this sign – to make our way down. Apart from the fact that we wanted to visit other places today, another 2.30 hours up meant another 2.30 hours down and I don’t think Fabio is as used to waking as I am…
It didn’t matter though, we’d had a walk and it was so peaceful to be in the mountains again.
By the time we’d arrived back at the car it was way past lunch so instead of takin time visiting a bar or restaurant we picked up some snacks and fruit from a little street market in the town then started to drive the winding road up into the higher mountians.
Folgaria was our destination: a ski resort town just over the Coe Pass. At 1,169m it had quite a thick blanketing snow which I, of course, wanted to go walking in.
We parked in the centre and followed a footpath up into the hills behind. It wasn’t so steep and in this sense was more enjoyable than where we’d been that morning as we could really look around and take it all in.
After an hour or so walking we decended back down to the village and into what felt like a ghost town. Dozens of closed up holiday chalets lines the streets and no one was around. As we’ve seen in many other mountain villages, there a places seen to be only occupied for a few weeks of the year. What this does to a communtity can’t be good but I guess for property developers it’s not oo bad…
The town itself did have a little more life although again, many shops and restaurants were closed. 
Quite an effort had been made to decorate the place for Christmas though which was a pleasant surprise.
On our way out of the town the sun was just setting behind the mountians and I managed to get a snap before we lost all of the light.
Our route back took us through Rovereto and as Fabio had never visited this place it seemed silly not ti stop and I think we’re both glad we did. 
Apart from having a gorgeous historical centre, the city has really gone for it with the Christmas decorations.
Throughout the town, red carpet had been lain to create a route past all of the main Christmas sights.
It felt like walking through a huge grotto. Several squarws were lit with a kaleidoscope of Christmas lights and music was playing over loud soekaers.
The historical building were somewhat overwhelmed by the Christmas atmosphere so it was sometimes hard to really see them behind all this pageantry.
Several squares also had market stalls set up selling typical Christmas trinkets and foods. All looking amaing! 
Even the castle and war museum joined in the light show.
We also walked by a mini nativity set up in what felt like someone’s house… the models had some from Napoli and we’re all a little bit creepy. This was perhaps the most ‘normal’ of what was displayed.
And so after a long, long day we took the highway back to Vicenza (and I managed to nap through a good 20mins of stand still traffic).
We were both pretty tired so I planned my tomorrow and Fabio cooked a really tasty pumpkin risotto. Just what I needed after such a day.
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