Readers, instead of posting travel blogs for the past few weeks John and I have been busy working with our website host for this new design. We hope that you like our website’s new look and functionality.
And now for Part 2 of Travel Really Is All About the People You Meet …
A friendship with the family and staff of Antico Borgo, a pretty family owned restaurant in the small Tuscan village of Iano, started with Chef Omar, who makes my favorite pollo alla griglia (grilled chicken), helping me learn how to pronounce parcheggio (parking) properly. Who knew that a little Italian language lesson could turn into the delight of a new friendship with so many lovely people? We’ve enjoyed many fine meals at Antico Borgo and this past Christmas treated ourselves to their traditional Tuscan Christmas pranzo (lunch). Thanks to owners Mauro, Marisa, their daughter Sandra and her family, Omar and the staff we felt that we were with famiglia (family). We lunched like royalty and were sent home with some of Sandra’s delizioso (delicious) baked treats.
Ringing in the New Year was equally delicious as we celebrated with another fabulous meal, cena (dinner) this time, at the beautiful Del Duca Ristorante – Enoteca in the nearby town of Volterra where owners Ivana, Genuino and daughter Claudia are assisted by staff Luca, Antonella and Chef Alessandro. Once again, we were in the delightful company of our friends Steve and Hayley for dinner. Before the countdown to midnight, all of the New Year’s Eve dinner guests were asked to pop the corks on the champagne bottles on their tables exactly at midnight to welcome the New Year. Cries of “Felice Anno Nuovo!” (Happy New Year!) were accompanied by the pop, pop, pop of champagne cork removals and the clinking of champagne flutes. Once again, we were with and among friends to celebrate a holiday.
As if eating the delicious food prepared by others wasn’t enough, we had the good fortune to attend a cooking class conducted by the delightful and talented Rosaria (of Tuscany Gourmet Experience) mother of our friend and Tour Guide Corrado (of Tourscany). Francesca assisted Rosaria and together they gave us a marvelous day of cooking lessons. We learned a lot from Rosaria, feasted on the dishes made in her class and have already made some of her recipes at home. Francesca, we learned, is an extremely talented and well-known oil painter of Tuscan landscapes.
The ever helpful and lovely Giulia and Alina of La Casa di Mamma Do’ in San Gimignano always made us feel welcome in their beautiful shop and graciously assisted us with purchases for family and friends back home.
Elisabetta helped us with directions one evening on the train from Florence to Certaldo and her husband Christiano joined in with educating us about Naples at a dinner later in our visit. At this dinner, Elisabetta and Christiano touched our hearts by presenting us with a bottle of wonderful Italian wine and framed photographs taken when we first met.
Francesca of Chic & Shock offers the most delicious and delightful looking chocolates and always greeted us with a big smile. Before Christmas, Francesca dressed as a Christmas Elf and put a smile on the faces of everyone who entered her café and chocolate shop.
Well, once again we give un grande grazie (a big thank you) to our dear friends Steve and Hayley for sharing their beautiful Tuscan home with us and for their friendship. Thanks to their kindness and hospitality we’ve been able to spend time in Tuscany allowing us to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, historic sites, vino (wine), food and most of all the wonderful people.
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Buon viaggio! (Happy travels!)
Travel Tip – Understandably, people have serious concerns about travel and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). For the latest information about this issue please refer to The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the US State Department for Travel Advisories. John and I check these websites and also enroll in the US Government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to be kept current on any travel advisories before we travel abroad.
Love the pictures and your remarks; we’re anxious to meet Claudia et al when we go in October 2020, God willing! Grazie!