Benvenuto in Italia

[ladder13]

I've been to Italy five times including two trips to Venice with its ultra narrow "single stack" passageways. My 100% Italian heritage slipped to 83% following a DNA test with Ancestry.com. I think a "pure Italian" is an oxymoron.

Anyone accustomed to Italian food as offered in the big-city Italian enclaves here in the USA may need to adjust to the cuisine in Italy. It's quite different and red sauce is not popular in the northern reaches. When in northern Italy you must try their pasta with pesto. They also tend to serve their steaks virtually raw with just of bit of flash-frying.

Paul, most folks would be surprised to find out their ancestry. There is no such thing as 100% or 50/50 anything.
On the food front, no Dominoes, Pizza Huts, Papa Johns, in Italy.

Onward to Florence this morning via rail.

Monday's lunch.

 

[jmr986]

Back in September our family visited the same 3 cities. If you have the time in Florence take a cooking class at "https://www.quercetodicastellina.com/en/home/“



The place was breathtaking, food was spectacular, and the property was unlike anything I've seen.

If I can remember the name of the little restaurant in Venice I'll let you know. Food was great, the owner/chef came out and had lemoncello's with us. Enjoy

 

[Grip_Maker's_Wife]

I love Arugula on pizza! I've been to Italy a few times though not for many years. Florence is my favorite city there. The art museums are just amazing!!! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[SAFireman]

Looks like you are having a great time Mike. Enjoy your trip, but do be sure to send more photos, you know how we all like photos (especially of food ).

I can't wait to hear where you go next.

 

[ladder13]

Almost 6pm here. Left Venice this morning and took a train to Firenze, two hours by rail. The cleanest train I've ever been on, with snacks served as a bonus.

 

[ladder13]

The local lawmen.

 

[ladder13]

Sorry, IPhone pics.

The Duomo, fourth largest church in the world. Took 140 years to build.

 

[federali]

While in Florence sure to see David. Its incredible what someone did with a block of marble.

 

[ladder13]

Another day in Firenzie. More great eats. Some pics of the local security. Beretta's and machine guns are the weapons of the day.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I showed all these pics to Ruthie and she said, to me: "well, you never take me to Italy".

 

[ladder13]

A couple asked us to take their picture on a bridge in downtown Firenze. I said "you speak English". They say they're from NC I ask where, and they say Kerr Lake in Henderson, about 40 miles north of us.
They rent an apt for a month every year in a small village nearby.

Linda goes into a leather store. Guy says "American?". He has in-laws in Holly Springs about an hour southwest of us.

Small world indeed

 

[Narragansett]

My Paternal grandparents were from Roccanonfina, north of Naples.

My daughter is going in September

 

[ladder13]

While in Florence sure to see David. Its incredible what someone did with a block of marble.

I have pics, but he's nude so no posting for the ding happy.

 

[JayFramer]

About the only thing better than Italian food, are the beautiful doe-eyed brown-haired women of that fair country! LOVE Italian girls, let one slip away when I was a younger man. :'(

 

[ladder13]

What have I learned so far?
You can negotiate lower prices in many stores and always with street vendors. We bought a couple fine Italian leather jackets from a small store who made them on the premises and got 30% off by negotiation. Those are being shipped home.

Most restaurants add a service fee to the meal, if you want to add a few Euros the wait staff can't thank you enough. I left five Euro(about $6) on top of the service charge and the waitress asked me if we were coming back for dinner, she was so excited

There is no such thing as spaghetti and meatballs. Those are two separate meals.
Chicken parm and veal parm are not even on the menu.
Real Italians don't eat that stuff.

Having said that, the food is wonderful. Light and easy to digest.

 

[ladder13]

On the way to the vineyards in Tuscany for a wine tasting and lunch we stopped by a cemetery for American servicemen.
A fitting tribute, maintained and owned by the US Gov't.
One of the office personnel said Italians were grateful to America for the sacrifices that freed Italy and eventually all the world.

 

[robvious]

the photo of the "Known but to God" made my sight blurry... thanks for paying your respects for those of us that have not had the chance...

 

[jdlii]

One of the most memorable trips taken with great friends! The Italians are very tolerant of visitors, friendly and welcoming. The food and wine, alone, is worth the effort. The scenery is incredible.

 

[ladder13]

the photo of the "Known but to God" made my sight blurry... thanks for paying your respects for those of us that have not had the chance...

Time constraints led to a short visit, I wish we could have stayed there a bit more.
There were many more unknowns amongst the casualties.

 

[ladder13]

One of the most memorable trips taken with great friends! The Italians are very tolerant of visitors, friendly and welcoming. The food and wine, alone, is worth the effort. The scenery is incredible.

We had a fantastic lunch at a vineyard in the Tuscan hills. Today, Friday, on to Rome.