After finally getting some substantial sleep, I was ready to take on Day 3! Well I was, but my knee wasn't. I had failed to ice it the night before so it wasn't feeling awesome, but I wasn't going to let that keep me down. I had the only ticket I had pre-purchased for any activity on my whole trip for 9 a.m. that morning. As I walked to the Arena, I noticed tons of people dressed as Santa with runners bibs joining me on my walk. When I got to the Arena it was clear there was some sort of Santa race.
No shock, but I was the first one in the Arena that morning.
The information sign at the Arena said the Arena is attributed to the Julio-Claudian era (14-45 AD). "The size and complexity of the structure made it an important predecessor in planning the Coliseum, begun in 80 AD. The Arena hosted the most popular entertainments of the times: combats between gladiators and staged 'hunts' of exotic imported animals."
They actually use it for operas now.
I walked back to my hotel, grabbed my stuff and asked for a taxi to the train station. I was told they weren't sure if I could get a taxi because of the marathon (all the Santas!). Then I was told a taxi was on the way. After a few minutes I was told that no, a taxi couldn't come and I would need to walk about 10 minutes to a taxi stand (!!! but my knee!!!) Luckily I found the taxi stand, but there were no taxis. I saw one a driving at the closest intersection and waved him down and finally was on my way to the train station.
I still caught the 10:20 train that I was hoping to make and was on my way to Trento. I used the short 55 minute train trip to catch up on writing in my travel journal.
Trento isn't the most well known location in Italy, so here is a map for reference (Trento is the red marker)
I was super early for check-in, but the hotel was able to get me into my room. I decided to ice the knee before heading out for the day. One of Trento's Christmas Markets was about 2 blocks from my hotel and near the castle, so that was my first stop.
I was in need of some food (as it seemed like everyone was), so I got in line at this booth.
This was potato cakes with speck, gorgonzola, and cabbage. This was my first introduction to speck, which is a cured pork. I was not a fan and didn't eat much of my "sandwich".
I hit up the pretzel booth next.
This sugared pretzel was more to my liking.
Next up was a visit to the Castello del Buonconsiglio
Some of the information signs had an English translation and some didn't so there was a lot of looking at things and not knowing exactly what I was looking at. You go through the various levels of the castle. This was heading into a courtyard.
The ceilings on each level were very pretty.
In one of the rooms they had a display of glazed tiled stoves.
After touring the castle, I set out to walk around Trento and see some of the other markets. This was just a beautiful random building.
One of the churches
I went back to the room to rest and regroup and then headed out to go see a different part of Trento.
Walking into the Piazza del Duomo di Trento...
Duomo di San Viglio
Inside the Duomo
Front of the Duomo...
Then I made my way to the Piazza di Fiera which has the largest and oldest Christmas Market in Trento.
I left my big camera and my larger bag in the room and only took my tiny crossbody belt bag. This wasn't very smart! I ended up carrying blackberry jam that I purchased in my pocket! Finally when I bought an ornament I got a bag.
All the booths seemed to be serving speck, so I gave it another try.
This time it was speck and cheese between a sliced pretzel.
Still hated it!
I walked back to the Piazza del Duomo di Trento and they had it lit up. So pretty!
One of the reasons I walked back through the piazza is that I had spotted a Grom there earlier. Speck I don't like, but gelato, gelato I like!
It was 37 degrees and I was walking around eating gelato and freezing, but I loved it!
I walked back to see the castle all lit up.
One more swing through the market near the castle.
At that point, I called it a day and went back to ice my knee again.
I stayed at Hotel America. It was a very good choice. The rooms were nice and recently renovated, and the location was great.
I've decided on these winter trips I love a hotel room with an entry where I can take off my boots and has a place to hang my coat.
This window had an automatic metal shutter than rolled down on the outside and made the room so nice and dark. I'm pretty sure I could have slept until noon if I hadn't have set my alarm!
That's all for Trento, the Cittá del Natale (City of Christmas)! Stay tuned for day four where I move on to another location...
Comments