Day 411 – EU – Italy [Verona to Vicenza]

20/05/21

51km

  From Verona (Italy) to Vicenza (Italy)

Europe

Leaving Verona, a random act of kindness and reaching Vicenza, another Italian gem

Sunny and bright, vivid colors on the road

I was the very happy recipient of a random act of kindness today! Halfway through the run I took a break by the side of the road, at the exit branch of a petrol station. An old man stopped his car next to me, got out, handed me 2 Euros and asked me to enjoy a nice coffee at the station’s coffee shop. At first I was embarrassed that he may have mistaken me for a beggar. But he told me he had seen me running earlier on the road this morning and wanted to encourage me. How nice and kind! I headed to the coffee shop, got an ice-cold glass of coca-cola and that was the highlight of my morning.

Leaving Verona via the Ponte delle Navi

I left Verona by a different bridge and gate from where I had arrived yesterday. The city was beautiful again in the morning light after the rain had cleared overnight. Throughout the run, I could see some snowy summits on my left side. Pre Alps summits running west to east between Switzerland and Austria. A contrast to the flat roads I am currently running on. It was another great day on the road. I was wondering how the 50+ kms would go today. But they went by really fast and I was done before 2pm. Thanks to the flat and smooth roads!

Into Vicenza via the Torrione di Porta Castello

I enjoyed a great lunch of italian delicacies again, in the city centre, just in time. Fish is king here and that’s what I ordered. The cuisine I have been enjoying since Termoli (when I crossed into Molise Region and the restaurants were open again) is very local, very fresh and always accompanied by the traditional olive oil and handmade bread. The tastes and colors are incredibly bright and vivid – I am not a gourmet, but I do enjoy good natural food. Certainly an upgrade from the supermarket meals that were my diet for the past 5 months!

Vicenza – centre

Vicenza is another beautiful city. I took a late afternoon walk in the streets. The old town resonated with the Palchelbel Canon in D as a group of talented street musicians were giving a free concert in a particularly sound amplifying part of the streets. The terasses were full, it seems everyone was out to enjoy the city, the weather and the partial freedom… to sit outdoors and enjoy!

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: