Blogs from Italy, Europe - page 9

We had chosen Agnes and Albin by Johanna's lovely property in Incisa Scapaccino for the lovely pool and the lovely cottage. We really enjoyed our stay and made the most of the pool dedicating two days as Pool days. During the middle day of our stay we explored the region attending a wonderful market at Aqua Terme and explored this wonderful town. In the centre of the town is an open hot water spring with water at 74 degree. After the explore of the town we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon lunch at Osteria 46 on the outside terrace, can you believe they have renovated a disused crematorium into a restaurant, the building structure was wonderful. Still, another great Italian meal at a reasonable price in and interest property. Due to the heat it was h... read more

Final day in the beautiful Pulgia region. Today was driving slowly to Bari via the white city of Ostuni, La Citta Bianca, with its whitewashed walls. It was sighted when we were still far from it as the old town is built on top of a hill and is still fortified by its ancient walls. From high above, for as far as you can see, the plain below is a sea of olive trees. The region is a producer of high-quality olive oil and wine. We circum-navigated by walking, the strong defensive walls built upon the hill-tops protruding rock. Tumbling clusters of white-washed houses wind around the hillside, at the top of which, proudly surveying the surrounding land, sits the magnificent Gothic cathedral. Originally the practice of lime-washing town's served as a means of lightening up ... read more

Oh, what a difference an evening makes. After the traumas of the day all was forgotten last evening as Lecce (and Italy) comes alive in the evening. People just come out of the stonework from 8pm. We are in the most magnificent location, exactly between the old and new town. We strolled the old town, settled on a place for a pre-dinner drink and then sought out a restaurant for a tasty Italian dinner. We had no regrets with our choices, restaurant or food. Today we decided to not drive anywhere. It was walk, explore and appreciate, “Florence-of-the-south”, Lecce. We took in nearly every street of the old town, photographing doors, windows, people, streets, buildings, paths, door knockers, plants, sites of interest, churches, archways, the old town ‘gates’ (entry points), walls, entrances and more. We stopped ... read more

Sorry its been a couple of weeks since we posted, but it has been a combination of a lot of activity and then we burnt out and got colds, so recovery. Now the process of catching up while still having more travels. This blog will be covering two days, the first was us looking at a few local activities in the Ardeche and then the second day, traveling to Piedmont in Italy. For our last day in France, we started the day in a local town across the region boarder to Drome near where we were staying to visit a family run chocolate factory. They were surprised to have visitors as they are not in the town and do not get regular visitors, even though they were well setup to receive them. The Morin factory is ... read more

The day began with, “Buon compleano, Tom”. Joyful memories recalled. Departed early for Lecce via back roads so not to go through larger towns such as Manduria. The plan was to get to the coast, have a swim, feel the sand between the toes, have a squizzy at the locals, catch a bite to eat and follow the coast south until the turn-off for Lecce. Apart from dodging potholes, poor surfaces and continually being amazed at the Italian road users and their parking habits, all was going to plan until I endeavoured to go through, due to roadworks, a narrow gap. I hit the right-hand side high rock curb, puncturing the right front tyre … the first time in my driving career. The only ‘excuse’ I can give is that one cannot see the front of ... read more