| The purpose was to reconnect with old contacts, make new ones and be prepared to create unique and tasty experiences throughout the country. Wineries and wines, charming hotels, incredible restaurants and wonderful people are what I found. Turin is the capital of Piedmont and, together with Alba, is in high season for white tartufo. It's a beautiful region and home to the Nebbiolo grape and the famous barolos, barbaresco wines. Tuscany is still beautiful, but Mugello, the northern Tuscany (between Firenze and Bologna) was a pleasant surprise with the unique experiences designed by the Monsignore Castle. There we were welcomed by the charming family who own the castle and the largest and most traditional hat factory in Italy, who accompanied us to all the programs, lunches and dinners. The closing night was filled with wine, grapa and Brazilian music from our spotify A TASTE of Brasil. Reggia Emilia welcomed me to visit the oldest starred restaurant in Italy and to learn more about the Max Mara Foundation, some of the best wineries in the country, great hotels on a unique wine and food circuit, the proceeds of which will help many Italians in difficulty due to the global pandemic. In Veneto and next to Lake Garda, Villa Cordevigo Relais & Chateaux was a lovely surprise. A hotel with charm, taste, great wines and beautiful colors. The Friulli and Sud Tyrol regions are some of the lesser-known but no less interesting options. Wines, charming hotels with incredible design and regions that have incorporated the best of Italy with the best of Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Returning to the Veneto, Verona, Italy's most romantic city, is a must. Beautiful, vibrant and blooming! It's been a wonderful 10 days with experiences that I can share with you! Let's Taste the World together! |
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| In the background and at the top of the hill (in the first photo below), the borgo where I slept. There are 30 people living there and the hotel occupies the rest of the buildings, all medieval and listed by Unesco. Returning from the welcome dinner we were offered, I couldn't resist stopping at a nice canteen with 4 tables. I ordered the best wine in the house (wonderful!) and a platter of cold cuts and truffles (18 euros). Solange is the owner and the cook, Mauricio is passionate about Ayrton Senna (he was watching the race in Imola on that fateful May 3rd, which happened to be my birthday). The canteen closed and I, still in the Brazilian time zone, continued chatting, listening to stories and getting to know life in this borough full of charm and life. I was very happy and grateful for the experiences. I learned a lot from wonderful people in a country that is already part of my stories and will always be! |
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