| Olive
oil facial and mint foot cream...
The sun
in Italy was intense this summer so another
morning I chose an olive oil facial to cleanse,
nourish and rehydrate my skin. At the same
time, I received a bonus foot treatment designed
to cool and ease a "tourist's tired tootsies."
A mint and eucalyptus cream was massaged into
my feet and then they were covered in tinfoil.
 "H-m-m-m-m,"
I thought. "Wonder what this is all about?"
While
the esthetician worked wonders on my face,
I could feel my fatigued feet begin to tingle
and their temperature begin to drop and drop
and drop. By the time my facial was complete
both my face and my feet felt wonderfully
cool and rejuvenated. How's that for Italian
spa magic? |
| Food,
food, food...
All meals
were included in the hotel plan I chose. Think
gorgeous, freshly prepared Italian food and
lovely Italian wines that compliment the menu.
Imagine a formal dining room - crystal chandeliers,
red velvet drapes, pristine white tablecloths
and red upholstered chairs. Each meal was
an occasion.
Like all
the other guests, I was assigned a table and
the same male server for the duration of my
stay. Dressed in formal black jacket, this
lovely man must have been an Italian mama
in another life. When I refused just one of
the four or five courses he brought for me
to taste, he'd moan, "Eat Signora - you
will become too skinny." He made it hard
not to "just try" mouth-watering
choices like spaghetti with clams, veal parmesan,
prosciutto and melon, lasagna, chicken cacciatore,
salmon steak, prawns in tomato olive sauce
and on and  on
and on.
Lunches
and dinners began with an antipasta table
that stretched the length of the dining room.
They ended with a buffet feast containing
over thirty different goodies including fresh
fruit, yogurt, gelato, pecan pie, and tiramisu,
a specialty of the Veneto region. If you still
wanted more, a cheese and special dessert
trolley was available. Groan!
I ate
very well and played very hard leaving Hotel
Trieste and Victoria the same weight
as when I arrived. However, those women who
would like to diet can enjoy many fresh salad
choices and delicious low fat entrees planned
to please the pickiest of calorie counters.
It won't even be a hardship to watch your
intake. But promise me you'll cheat just a
tiny bit - you must try the chef's Saint Antonio
Pound Cake and his fabulous chocolate profiteroles.
You won't regret it! |
Out
and about in town...
I
loved the ambiance of Abano Terme. It is
first and foremost a small Italian town
with its spa resort identity coming second.
That means that rather than offering many
glitzy shops and bright lights to attract
tourists, this community emphasizes Italian
family life and Italian culture. It's great
fun to observe.
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The entrance to Hotel
Trieste and Victoria is beautifully
located right on the town's promenade
and across from a large park. No cars
are allowed in this section which
leaves lots of space for strolling
and people watching. From the oldest
to the youngest many in the community
use their bicycles to get around.
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Shops are closed at
noon so families can eat lunch together
and then (during the summer) stay
indoors to avoid the hottest mid-day
sun. They reopen at 2:00 pm (in some
cases 3:00 pm). It's quiet, peaceful
and the pace is gentle to say the
least.
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The population is an
aging one and grandmas in their black
dresses and retired gents congregate
in the park to chat and gossip. As
you walk by you can sense their interest
in you but no one ever approaches
and a tourist is left alone to fully
enjoy their town.
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Up the street is the
area's tourism office. They offer
area maps and lots of info on evening
events, outdoor operas, bus schedules
and where to see what, when.
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I loved to take a late
afternoon or evening stroll, past
the sculpture fountain depicting four
females enjoying the healing waters
of Abano. In that same area is another
statue of a woman inscribed with the
title , "A Tutte Le Mamme" ("For all
Mothers").
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If you feel like a
sheltered bird's-eye-view, than find
a spot on the Hotel
Trieste and Victoria's outdoor
terrace, order a glass of wine and
enjoy the passing parade.
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Further up the street
one can stop to watch the outdoor
chess match played on the town's giant
outdoor set. Everybody from youngest
to oldest gathers round to observe,
keeping still so players can concentrate.
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If you'd rather do
your exploring by bike, you can take
one of the hotel's fleet and burn
off all the calories consumed at dinner
time.
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Look out for Ghiraldo's
fine food store. It was enlightening
to browse their shelves and I found
several interesting, inexpensive gift
items. Animal Crackers for the kiddies
(under 2 euro), nicely packed small
jars of jams for granny or your mom
(under 5 euro) and fancy packages
of Risotto Primavera for that man
who keeps promising to cook dinner
for you (under 5 euro).
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What self-respecting
spa town doesn't sell bathing suits
and cover-ups? Abano Terme is no exception.
Mid-summer shopping means a good variety
of sale racks. The designs are absolutely
wonderful and you don't have to be
stick-thin to look good in them. Pack
some extra euros and enjoy the bargains!
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Want to check out the
gelato scene? Stop in at the American
Bar and Gelateria. There was always
a line-up there.
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If you're a market-going
kind of Journeywoman, be sure to check
out the town's market square (10-15
minute walk from the hotel) filled to
overflowing with every imaginable item
you'd ever need. I saw salad tongs,
underwear, toys, hats, purses, sun dresses,
sweaters, dishes, fruits, veggies, cheese,
baby clothes, bras, fresh flowers and
on and on and on. Check with your hotel
concierge for the days and hours of
operation. I enjoyed my time there thoroughly.
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| For
further information...
P.S.
I was not the only English speaking person
at the hotel. Many other visitors hailed from
England, Canada, United States and even Australia.
Very many, I learned, were regular devotees
who visited Hotel
Trieste and Victoria at least once
a year. |
This
article has been independently researched
by Journeywoman Online. We thank the Italian
Government Tourist Board, Rail
Europe and Alitalia
for sponsoring this female-friendly information.
Together it is our aim to inspire women to
visit Italy and to travel safely and well.
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