PROGLOGUE TO ITALY

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We are back home now as I write this final entry for this journey. Having a day to reflect and review the entries and other trips we have taken I have some final thoughts on this trip. First, as with all trips it was not perfect, there were bumps in the road, there always will be for the traveler the road is not always easy. I of course learned new things about myself good and bad and of course had a great cultural experience as always.

I think the most striking thing about this trip (Jerry agrees) is that overall the food was just not as good as we anticipated. Yes, we had some stand out meals and there was usually a stand out dish, but it just seemed that it just lacked that something extra. Maybe we are to influenced by what Italian food is here in the new world and forget the simple pleasures of pure Italian cooking. But then we look at our experience in the cooking class in Bologna and know that great Italian food, like we expect, does exist.

The second thing about Italy, it that is simply a more difficult country to travel in. It is not the language as almost everyone speaks English, but the weather, meaning the humidity, takes a tool on the traveler, especially when traveling multiple cities by train. Perhaps that is the difference, as we age our tolerance for heat and discomfort lessen. While we both had a great time, and will someday take another trip to Italy, Italy is simply not France or Spain, the mindset of Italy is very much as in the US, they are hurried, fast pace, don’t seem to enjoy life in the same fashion as the French or Spaniards. Perhaps, it we went to smaller villages the experience would be different.

That all being said, it was a great trip, there was great food, wonderful cultural experience and the history is overwhelming. So, it is time to wrap this trip up and do my traditional best and worst of.

So off we go:

Most Disappointing: This was not even a close call, the cooking class in Florence was the single most disappointing part of the trip. It was a lovely day, but as I said in the blog, I want to be hands on in a cooking class not stand around with a glass of wine in my hand and watch.

Best Overall Meal: This also was not even close. Simply the best meal we had was at Osteria La Fontanina in Verona. Everything from start to end was on point and was presented beautifully and tasted as good as it looked.

Favorite Site: This was a little more difficult. It is hard to discount the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Coliseum. It is also impossible to ignore the absolute beauty of the entire city of Venice. But on this trip, my favorite site was the Duomo in Florence. Perhaps it was the great since of accomplishment of making it to the top. Maybe it was the spectacular view. In any event, it was the site of the trip.

Best Dish of the Trip: While this dish was never the dish of the day, we had it on numerous occasions because we just couldn’t get enough and that dish was, Pasta Amatriciana.

Best Overall Experience: This again was a very difficult call, there were lots of special moments throughout the trip but I think the one that all three of us enjoyed the most was the cooking class in Bologna. While cooking with Pino is always a joy and I learn more than the vast majority of other cooking glasses, the overall experience of the class in Bologna was just very enjoyable for all of us.

A new part of the blog being introduced is the top three restaurants of the trip. And the winners are:

1. Osteria La Fontanina – Verona

2. Armando al Forno – Rome (We started out strong and it was tough to beat)

3. Al Paradiso – Venice

Finally, an update on my top 10 favorite cities, there have been some changes, not because of this trip per se, but because of overall reflection on our travels in general. Biggest change is that New York is off the list. After living here for 5 years, it is no longer even close to the top 10. The romance of New York died with the mediocrity of the city.

The old list was: Paris, Venice, Salzburg, Aix en Provence, Seville, New York, Prague, Barcelona, Victoria, B.C. and Bangkok.

The new list: Paris (it will always be number 1) Venice, Salzburg, Aix en Provence, Seville, Prague, London, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Bangkok.

You will note that Victoria BC fell off, not because it is not a great city, but Lisbon and London are just exceptional places to see.

Next up a trip to Boston for Bastille Day, trip to Philadelphia to see Gladys Night and the New Mexico for the Holidays in December (this trip will be blogged). The next overseas trip will be Paris at the end of April. The next big trip is Chile, Argentina and Uruguay October 2019.

Until next time, safe journeys and eat well.

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Comments

[Christina Lopez]

Excellent final review! I totally agree with you on the cooking class in Florence. While the location was breathtaking I would not consider it a hands on cooking class as they advertised. That being said I still enjoyed it and the food was really good. My favorite pasta dish was also the Pasta Amatriciana and of course my ox tail. My favorite city was Venice. I thoroughly enjoyed our trip!

[Shari]

So Jealous
You mentioned earlier in the trip that you weren’t getting as many comments, I tried to comment several times and couldn’t. The error told me “You can only comment on published blogs.” Um...okay. It IS published or I wouldn’t have been able to read it. So...I don’t think it was the quality of the blogs (although I noticed the spelling errors have increased *wink, wink*) I am sad I didn’t get to travel to Italy this year, but we will go in 2019. When I visit at the end of summer, we’ll have to make a list of must-see things. I’m taking the SIstine Chapel off the list, and I might even forego Rome on this first trip. I really want to see Florence and Venice and if we only have ten days...So, be thinking about the must-see Italian sites. Thanks for sharing your experiences.