My latest solo travel adventure began in Venice, Italy. While in Venice, I took day trips to Padua and the islands of Murano and Burano. I then spent three days in Verona, Italy with a day trip to Lake Garda.

My mother’s family is Italian. When I think of Italian food, I think of Lasagna, Raviolis, Eggplant Parmesan, and of course, Cannolis, Sfogliatella (my Dad’s favorite), Pizza, and last but not least – GELATO!

My favorite gelato flavors are pistachio and hazelnut.

I don’t normally take pictures of my food at restaurants. Of course, I had pizza in Italy. Everyone knows what pizza looks like – however, when I was in Burano, I ordered pizza at a very crowded restaurant. The waiter wanted to know what kind of pizza I wanted. I was focused on size, and he was asking about toppings. I quickly looked over the massive list of options. I saw one of the pizza’s titled Americana and ordered that one. Well, that was a huge mistake! The pizza came out topped with French Fries. Have any of you had a pizza topped with French Fries? Immediately I asked for a separate plate so I could remove all the French Fries. Then I asked for hot pepper flakes. How many of you like hot red pepper flakes on your pizza? It is one of my favorite things to put on a pizza. When I asked for the red pepper flakes, the waiter simply said, “We have spicy oil.” It was not as good as red pepper flakes, but it worked.

There are a lot of great things to eat in Italy.

Most of them have to do with pasta.

I love pasta but decided long ago that since pasta and the heavenly Italian desserts all landed on the same place on my body, that I would have to choose one over the other. I couldn’t have my cake and eat it and still maintain the same size jeans. So, the pasta lost the battle to cannolis and gelato.

Although I stay away from bread when I am home, after walking 9 miles a day touring Venice, I couldn’t resist a smorgasbord of Bruschetta! What a GREAT treat!

Of course, there are other things to eat in Italy! The vegetable and fish markets are everywhere!

This floating vegetable market in Burano brought a smile to my face. Afterall, you can’t make good spaghetti sauce or “gravy” without peppers, onion, and garlic.

If you’re Italian, let me know in the comments below if your family called it ***SAUCE or GRAVY!***

After exploring Italy, I headed to Salzburg and Vienna. I knew I couldn’t leave Austria without trying Wiener Schnitzel.

I like veal cutlet but for health reasons try to stay away from fried foods. I was determined to try this dish so on my first day in Vienna, I stopped in a restaurant across from the Opera House and ordered Wiener Schnitzel. On the menu, it came with potato salad and cranberry sauce. I asked them to change the potato salad for a regular salad. I stay away from potatoes for the same reason I avoid pasta. I really like the size jeans I am in now and refuse to go higher in size!!

I absolutely loved the Wiener Schnitzel with the cranberry sauce. But by itself – I have to say that I am not a fan. Whatever dressing they put on the salad was perfect. All in all, Wiener Schnitzel gets a 6 out of 10 rating from me. I am glad I tried it, but I don’t think I will ever order it again.

I also had apple strudel in Austria and LOVED it! However, as I took bite after bite of the wonderful warm apples, I couldn’t help but think that ice cream was needed.

But, now let me tell you what I really enjoyed in Austria.

The Hot Dog Stand – or as it is known in Austria – the ***Wurstelstand*** – had the best sausages.

I found these stands near Saint Stephen’s Cathedral. Each stand had throngs of people around them eating these very long sausages stuffed into long buns. When I noticed several people ordering the sausages without the bun, I knew I had to try it.

I ordered the spicy sausage with ketchup and mustard on the side. It was heavenly. This I would order again and maybe with sauerkraut next time!

I also enjoyed lunch at a café where I had a special soup with liver dumplings. That was different and very good.

I like trying new foods, but I am particular about starchy foods. If I am going to eat carbs, I prefer the carbs in dessert like cannoli or gelato instead of pasta, potatoes, and bread. My goal is to stay healthy for as long as I can so I can travel to all the places on my bucket list.

What is on your bucket list and what are you doing to stay healthy so you can travel?

This 18-day trip to Italy and Austria is over – but there is more to come. My Catholic Travel Blog will continue to share adventures to cathedrals, basilicas, monasteries, and shrines in this country and abroad.

I am also happy to share that my third book is being finalized with reviewers and proofreaders. Stay tuned for updates on Book #3. If you loved my latest book – Mary’s Life Journey & Her Amazing Yes! (which just received third place from the CMA Book Awards) – you will love Book #3. Subscribe below to be sure you receive all the updates on blogs and the book launch for Book #3.