We made it home! Now that I have a real computer in front of me, here are a few photos from the trip. D’Aun will post more on her Facebook page when she gets a chance.
Here are some of my favorites … mostly non-tourist shots because you’ve seen the Coliseum a million times.
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The night before the trip, Sadie knew we were leaving and jumped into the suitcase as we packed.
Our first morning in Rome, so I tried a cappuccino at (reputedly) the best coffee place in city. I was hooked for the rest of the trip.
After coffee, our tour guide Angelo drove us outside of Rome and we saw the oldest/biggest olive tree in Europe: it is 2400-years old! The old man who owned the property was a classic Italian farmer … simple, generous, and talkative! He gave D’Aun a twig from the tree … but don’t tell the ag inspection people at customs.
A frantoio is the Italian word for olive mill. Angelo took us to his brother-in-law’s frantoio and we experienced the chaos and fun of Italians at work. Here are freshly picked olives ready for processing.
The final product is poured into containers … but of course we can sneak a taste of the warm hyper-fresh oil!
Our tour of the Vatican Museum … notice the big crowds? Neither did we! Angelo knows all the tricks and said, “I am allergic to lines.” It wasn’t quite like having the museum all to ourselves, but it was close.
In St. Peter’s Square with Angelo.
We were told that Frank Sinatra frequented this little restaurant outside of Rome, and that Oprah liked the chicken so much that she goes back every time she’s in the city. Great setting, sweet owners, wonderful food.
With Angelo outside of the catacombs. He’s a bit of a celebrity himself and specializes in movie stars. We must’ve been a bit on the boring side for him! But he was great to work with.
Leaving Rome, we stayed a few days with Rob & Janina Cushman. They have a beautiful farm in Umbria and, as luck would have it, we arrived on olive harvest day! It took D’Aun about 2-minutes before jumping in to help.
The Cushman’s next door neighbor had a power harvest tool that they let D’Aun try.
With 350 kilos of freshly harvested olives, we headed to the frantoio with the Cushman’s.
Rob is the kind of guy that always has a smile on his face, but especially at the frantoio as his olives were processed. He and Janina were incredible hosts.
Not only did we get to sample the fresh oil at the frantoio as it was being produced, but Rob generously gave us a bottle to take home. It will be treasured (and enjoyed!).
Every harvest needs a dinner celebration. Here is Rob and Janina’s friend, Cesare, roasting nuts over a fire in the kitchen. The funny part was watching him use a blow dryer to get the coals hot!
The dinner table at the Cushman’s home. Their 2007 wine was especially wonderful.
We visited Orvieto on a rainy morning that became a gorgeous afternoon. Gordon College has a wonderful arts program in an 800-year old monastery on the city wall; we met with students and professors for lunch.
Visiting Civita di Bagnoregio was a special surprise. The picture doesn’t do it justice; it was stunning.
Civita di Bagnoregio has an ancient Etruscan olive mill that was fascinating. D’Aun wanted to buy it and ship it home. I doubt the Italian archaeology department would have let that happen.
Best pasta on the planet at a restaurant in Todi, Umbria. How good was it? We went twice and ordered it both times!
After Umbria, it was a few days in Tuscany. Here is a classic winding road dotted with Cypress trees that we saw from the La Foce estate. Again, the photo doesn’t do it justice, in part because of the overcast day.
We arranged for a private tasting at the family owned Dei Winery. Their assistant marketing director, Laura, served us several great wines. We also had a tasting of their their olive oil. Needless to say, we figured out a way to get some home!
Enjoying the wines at Dei.
Autumn in Tuscany is simply beautiful. This came from a scenic drive just outside of Montepulciano.
Our last day in Montepulciano (Tuscany).