My Italian Top Five

By nature I am a reflective person. The elongated plane trek home on Sunday provided lots of time to reflect upon our trip. One of the things we often do on the trip home is to list our ten favourite things about the trip . . . . it was difficult for us this time because with a three week trip there were many things.

For me one of the nicest things about this trip was its variety. We stayed in cities and in the country; never long enough to get sick of either. We traveled with friends and on our own, again never long enough to get sick of our friends or one another. We traveled in touristy areas and in non touristy areas. We walked, we drove, we napped, we ballooned, we visited museums, we tasted wine, we reflected upon the grandeur of churches, we shopped, we ate . . . again lots of variety. It would be difficult to 'pigeon hole' this trip in a category or box - I guess a lot like ourselves.

So what were my top 10 experiences while in Italy?

The top for me by far was our dinner at I Caffi in Acqui Terme. It was such an amazing experience that there will be an entire blog post just about that! When I e-mailed Diana, the owner of the B and B in which we were staying, for suggestions of a great restaurant to celebrate our anniversary she suggested this one. Clearly Diana knows her food! Course after course of brilliantly prepared and presented food, each paired with a wine from the area.

To tantalize your taste buds . . . this is just the assortment of chocolates, cookies, and candies that came out with dessert. Oh my!

The second on my list has to be staying at the Baur B and B. Much has been written about this small B and B located in the hills above Acqui Terme. There is a reason for this. Diana, Micha, and Max work together to create a peaceful sanctuary for their guests. The location is beautiful, the accommodations stunning, and the breakfasts the best we have ever had in Italy.

This was our bedroom (and one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on!).

My third favourite experience has to be seeing the real statue of David by Michelangelo while we were in Florence. On our last trip to Italy we had seen the 'fake' David that stands in the spot the real statue occupied for more than three centuries in the Piazza della Signoria. Later, when we went to see the 'real' statue in the gallery where it had been moved to protect it from the elements, the gallery was closed for a staff meeting (even though we had scheduled a timed entrance). My goal was to correct that lapse on this trip . . . and I did. The feeling that you get when you turn the corner and gaze upon this colossal masterpiece, sculpted by a 24 year old is difficult to explain, you are struck by the size, the genius, and the magnitude of this stunning work of art.

No, I didn't break the rules (for a change) and snap a pic . . . I downloaded this from the net.

# 4? Ballooning with Robert Etherington. Today is the anniversary of the first balloon flight in history so it seems even more fitting that this activity makes the list. It was fascinating to watch the preparations for the flight (even though it was 6 a.m. and I was uncaffinated). It was a brilliant experience to feel the basket lift off and soar about the ground. From the balloon we could see castles, villas, farms, great churches, deer, pheasants, sheep . . . all rendered minuscule from the air. This truly was an experience of a lifetime!

This is our shadow as we soared over fields and forest.

After we landed we enjoyed a champagne (and wine) breakfast. It was a great finish to a wonderful experience. It wasn't finished there as Robert and Liz drove us through the countryside to Buonconvento where they treated us to an impromptu tour, coffee, and gelato.

My number five experience is the wine tasting we enjoyed in Acqui Terme. Diana drove is to Domenico's house where we met this third generation wine maker, his dog, and his cat. He invited us into his dining room where he opened his wines and shared them with us. This is the way wine should be enjoyed!

Later he brought us into the cellars below where he provided us with a barrel tasting. We tried two different vintages to get a sense as to how they change with the aging process. As we left with our purchased wine in tow, he gave us each of a bottle to take home and to remember him when we drank it.

A bad pic of Domenico and Diana enjoying the barrel tasting. The pic may be bad but it captures the joy of tasting a wine in the process of being made.

Numbers 6 - 10 to follow tomorrow (barring some world event which desperately requires my pithy commentary).

Comments

[Barb Cabot]

Reading your top ten literally gives me chills up and down my spine...what a wonderful trip! Looking forward to the rest of the list.

[Psychgrad]

Your trip looks like it was a great time. Great job on keeping a nice record of your experiences. I plan to do that with my upcoming trip as well.

I was wondering about the products you brought home. Did you have trouble transporting everything? What about customs? I'd love to bring purchases home (I'll be in Bordeaux), but don't want to have to lose them at the border.

[Annie]

Thanks so much for the vicarious travel experiences - I'm really enjoying reading about your trip!

The "real" David just stopped me in my tracks. Is it possible for a statue to have charisma? I think he did.

And that balloon shadow photo is awesome!

[sandrac]

Fantastic list, Jerry. The photo taken from the balloon is wonderful, a very unique perspective.

The Bauer B&B looks so lovely. This really must have been a fabulous trip!

[Jerry]

Thanks Barb.

Psychgrad - we had no difficulty bringing food back into Canada. Most of ours were sealed/bottled though. I have heard that you can bring back hard cheese but have never tried it. I have seen people try to bring back cured meats and have them confisicated at customs.

We use styrofoam cases for the wine. We bought them at BevMo in California and another wine shop in Palm Desert. I think any wine shop would have them. We also bring along bubble wrap and zip lock bags. The zip lock bags prevent leaks in the even of breakage.

Thanks Annie. It is quite interesting how the statue of David 'grabs' you. A shame to see how the city has chosen to 'market' the image everywhere . . .

Sandra - it was a great trip. I am at a bit of a loss right now . . . not sure what to do. I need another trip to plan. LOL