June 1, 2023 - Andermatt, Switzerland

 Before leaving Palmanova, Italy on Monday, we walked outside to a huge market that had been setup that morning.  It included vendors of fashion, shoes, flowers, vegetables and more shoes.  The vendors make the rounds to various communities and Monday was Palmanova.  Sooz could have stayed longer checking out the fashion and shoes but we had to leave for Misurina, Italy.

Misurina, and the ride there, was recommended by a motorcyclist who we have "met" through emails and phone calls.  It was a beautiful ride and the town is on Lake Misurina surrounded by the Dolomite mountains.  The Dolomite Alps are lighter colored than the central and northern Alps due to their limestone makeup.  We hit a fair amount of slow moving traffic on two-lane roads with farm tractors, buses and semi-trucks.  Google Maps would estimate 1.5 hours to travel 45 miles, so you know it was slow going.  But, the scenery was good.

After Misurina we spent 2 nights in Livigno, Italy, a ski-town that is going to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.  We needed a couple of days to rest up.  We're finding that our stamina is not as great as it was on earlier trips, maybe due to our increased maturity ...   We splurged a little and stayed at the Bivio Hotel Plaza.  It was a nice place with a heated pool, sauna and spa.

This morning we rode from Livigno to our Airbnb in Andermatt, Switzerland where we'll be staying until June 30. We were here 7 years ago and really liked it so we wanted to come back.  Like almost everywhere, the town has grown and developed to the point where we did not recognize where we stayed before.

Another reason we chose to stay in Andermatt is that it is central to several mountain passes that we want to check out.  Today we came in from the east and crossed the Oberalp Pass reaching almost 7,000 feet.  Temperatures dropped to to 51 degree so we hooked up the heated gear.

A picture of me taking a picture of local cheeses at the Palmanova Market.

The picture I took when my picture was taken.

Sooz was amazed at the quality, selection and prices of the shoes and clothing.  Luckily, we are on the motorcycle and have no space for additional stuff.

Palmanova market

Palmanova market and Sooz checking it out

Driving from Palmanova to Misurina

Local farmer

Approaching the Dolomite Alps

Our hotel at Misurina with the Dolomites in the background

Lake Misurina

Looking out from our room at the ski slopes in Livigno, Italy

Danielle, the morning chef for breakfast, comes from Reggio Calabria in southern Italy a stone's throw from Sicily.  He wants to open his own restaurant in the US and had to move from his home town because the mafia is still very real and his family is not connected.

The pool and sauna.

The logo for charging an electric car.

Our route so far.