With my travelling partner, my sister Jocelyn, we were able to make this trip together to visit my daughter Aria, who has spent the last year working on her Master's degree in Italian Language and Literature at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. I'm so happy we were able to travel together. Jocelyn is the best travel buddy, so kind and sweet and we all appreciate her great sense of humour.We booked "The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor's Club"
1 W. Dayton St., Madison
It was a wonderful location for us. Close to the capital and the associated activities like the farmers market, close to State Street shopping and food venues, close to campus and just a couple of blocks from Aria's apartment.
This map will show you how this part of the city lies on an Isthmus bordered on one side by Lake Monona and the other side by Lake Mendota. Our hotel was on the corner of Dayton and Wisconsin. Aria's apartment was located two blocks away on Gorham and Pinckney so it was a very easy walk for us to her place and central to all the sights in the city. The map also shows Cafe Monmartre which was a good stop off for Happy hour margaritas and good pizzas. You can see how close we were to the Capitol and to State Street which runs directly into the University. We did not need a car. There are restaurants, museums, great shopping all around the surrounding areas of our hotel. The bus lines are convenient to local attractions that we wanted to see. Madison is a great walking city. We loved it.Touring the University of Wisconsin campus
This is the patio of the student union. With such great weather everyone was outside. This looks out to the Lake. What a great view.
These are the famous sunburst chairs that are everywhere on the patio of the student union. I love them!
State street runs directly into the campus.
If we turn up this street we will arrive at Aria's apartment
We're here!!!
This is the view from the front window. I liked that house on the corner.
This is looking down the street. Lots of student housing.
Here's Aria with her boyfriend Daniele. He arrived Monday night from Boston. He just finished a year of teaching at Holy Cross College. They'll be travelling back to Italy together to visit his family and for some R and R.
This is Kate, Aria's room-mate. We had a great time meeting her. She was such a good person for Aria to live with this past year.
This is us waiting for the taxi to take us to the airport. The five days in Madison were wonderful. We learned alot about this beautiful city and it made me so happy to experience a bit of Aria's life here.
For the next few days I will be posting more about Madison and the things we experienced while there.
