Italy
-
Baking Potato Bread & Farro
After breakfast, we drove from Venturo to Petrognola a beautiful little village in the Garfagnana to meet with Paolo Magazzini, the village baker. He showed us how to make the bread dough using a starter that he has kept ‘alive’ that was his mother’s (who has since passed) and putting in freshly boiled potatoes that…
-
Exploring Barga
In the wall above the entry to Barga About 6 pm we drove to Barga. As we entered the area I could see ‘New Barga” on the outskirts with newer buildings and ‘Old Barga’ the picturesque medieval hilltop town with a vibrant artistic community. It was an absolute pleasure to get lost and explore the…
-
More than One way to Dye in Italy
This afternoon we went to the home of Lucia Nesi in Colle di Compito. Lucia is a member of the Antiche Tessiture Lucchesi (Antique Textiles of Lucca). After a quick introduction, we started to collect fern leaves and different plants, etc to naturally dye wool. Those of you that know me know I have no…
-
Festa di Primavera in Castiglione
At 11 am we arrive in Castiglione for their Festa di Primavera (Spring Festival). This picturesque walled town in the Garfagnana featured handmade crafts and food vendors. We strolled through the town and ooh and ahh’d at the beautiful old buildings and scenic views seen below. Tour group arrival Church at the base of…
-
Agriturismo Arrivals
Part of my exchange agreement with Heather is that I both help with marketing initiatives and assist during tours, that is why I have not been posting for the last few days. I figured the business end of the Tastes & Textiles tour wouldn’t be of much interest to my blog readers. The Arrival Day…
-
Eating Bugs Bunny™
Back in Casabasciana, Heather and I went up to the grocery store in the village to purchase our food for dinner. “What would you like for dinner?” she asked. “I’m open” I said. She told the shopkeeper “Coniglio”. “I’m pretty sure I know what that means” I said to myself. And a bit of apprehension…
-
Cheese-throwing in Castiglione
This year, the Festa introduced a ‘Cheese-throwing Competition’. A local explained to me that this started off as a pass-time and has developed into a sport with different leagues. This competition starts at the bottom level of the village and the goal is to reach the finish line (at the top of the village) in…
-
Day Trip to Viareggio
With my room booked for three nights in Torre del Lago, I decided to take a day trip to nearby Viareggio. Viareggio is another coastal town about a 15 minute bus ride from Torre del Lago. I purchased both my departure and return bus tickets at the Tabac (storefronts that usually only sell cigarettes and…
-
Beach Weekend: Torre del Lago Puccini
My host is in London for the weekend, and instead of staying up on the mountain with no way down, she suggested I take a weekend trip to Viareggio. I researched the area online and called ahead to book my room at a bed and breakfast near the beach. Interestingly enough, in the USA, your…
-
Village Life – Casabasciana
The village I am living in (and where Heather lives) is called Casabasciana. It is a village on top of a mountain, located in the Province of Bagni di Lucca. Today was a work day for me and while Heather was out giving a honeymoon couple a private tour, I was busy doing some marketing work…