Still Day 2 - Seren del Grappa with the Scopels

After a lite lunch in Feltre (pesto and salami sandwich on focaccia bread and a cantaloupe/carrot/apple smoothie) which was difficult to find early on a Sunday, we met our driver, Fabio, for the ride over to Seren de Grappa.  Our first stop was a war monument for the resistance.  (Caduti per la Resistenza) 

 

Then we visited the cemetery where Kenny's Great-grandmother, Domenica de Paoli Scopel,  is buried.  We're told she was the first person to be buried here although there were graves dating before her death.  Unlike in the U.S. where you buy your plot, in Italy, you rent a plot.  If there are no relatives to pay the rent, you're loved one will be moved to a vault or crypt. 

Scopels

Today was all about family and we walked all around Seren del Grappa visiting relatives.  We met Maria & Carlo Scopel and we were welcomed at the Scopel home with a gathering of Scopels and De Paoli's and were treated to local foods, wines and beers by our hosts. 



 

This fresco is painted on a home that has been in the Scopel family for decades and

is painted by, of course, a Scopel.

 

 

 

A family gathering that evening included the Mayor of Seren, Dario Scopel

and a fabulous dinner at Locanda Cacciatore where we were treated

to a variety of pizzas and the house red and white wines.

 

 

 

Day 2 - Travel to Feltre

 

We traveled from Venice to Feltre via train.  Quite an experience!  I appreciated the advice to keep to a small suitcase a carry-on if possible.  As we neared Feltre, we were all impressed with the mountains.  Little did we realize the mountains would be visible everywhere we went.

This monument is located at the Feltre Stazione commemorating the Italians who left the area and migrated to locations all around the world.  Valentino Dalmolin and his brothers were among those to leave Laghi and settle in Texas at the very young age of 14 yrs. old.   Feltre was located between Seren del Grappa and Laghi and gave us the opportunity to get away from the tourists and spend time with family we had never met.  There were a lot of hikers, campers, canyoners and cyclists in the area.  This was definitely the place for nature lovers.   I was surprised with the "alpine" feel of Feltre mostly because I hadn't considered how close it is to Switzerland and Austria.  While it was still a little warm during the day there was a slight chill in the air at night, the weather here was fabulous!

This is the station in Feltre.  Notice the lugging towing!

We stayed at Hotel Doriguzzi a short walk from the station.. 

The hotel was very environmentally cautious with sky windows (moon roofs) that opened,

sensory operated lighting and a/c units that went off during the day. 

The hotel had a lovely patio where guests lounged late into the night.