Taking What You Learned on a European Vacation Home

 

Although we didn’t actually eat any pizza on my last trip to Italy, I did feel inspired to copy one of my favorite breads from a lovely restaurant around the corner from our bed and breakfast.  I dug up my favorite pizza recipe, refridgerated the dough overnight, and did my best to duplicate the olive oil and fresh rosemary bread.  It came out really well.  The chef in Umbria sprinkled coarse salt over the top, which added wonderful flavor and texture.  I’m pretty sure it was Mediterranean Sea salt. Ah!  

This was taken the night we ate dinner outside at the cooking school.  The woman next to me and I had just purchased new sun dresses at the local Farmers’ Market.  They were so reasonably priced!  They make such a nice souvenir.  I paired mine with one of my hand knitted shawls.  Our carefully prepared meal was absolutely divine!  I will never forget it.  We each received copies of the recipes.

These are some of the healthy and luscious grapes that were ripening on the vine at the winery.  Some of the ladies I traveled with ordered half a case of their favorite wine and had it sent home.  I walked through this area each morning, before breakfast.

These are some of the sweet children dressed up in their period costumes from the Medieval Festival that we attended.  They served us several courses of food and wine!  It was a fantastic evening, with hardly any tourists.

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Italian Charm

 

Cooking is a central activity in Italy.  Buying or growing the freshest ingredients, using what is in season, and shopping at the local farmers’ market is typical.  On one of my early morning walks, a lady from our tiny village slowed her car down and asked me if I would like a ride. I could tell she was on her way to buy her groceries down the hill, in town.  That would definitely not happen in LA!  I smiled, thanked her profusely, and declined.  If I had been traveling on my own I would have gone.  We had a schedule to keep.

Beauty was everywhere.  The bright green herbs and vibrant flowers were carefully tended, on a daily basis.  I loved the attention to detail, and the appreciation of nature.  The stone walls made such sweet backdrops.

The above video was taken in Gubbio.  We rode a little red train throughout the magnificent stone city.  It was enchanting.  It’s a place I would love to return to and stay for a few nights.  I spotted the perfect hotel, old and majestic.   In our case, our driver drove us home in an hour and a half, and we enjoyed another sumptuous meal back at the resort.  

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Cooking School in Italy

 

One of my favorite experiences while in Umbria was going to cooking school.  Contessa Amelia instructed our group.   She is such a dynamic teacher.  I love her beauty, talent, energy and discipline.  The kitchen is phenomenal, and her assistants were excellent.  Italians seem to value excellence, from what I observed.

Here we are peeling carrots for the vegetarian lasagna.  We made a huge meal, and then all ate it together later that evening, out on the patio.  It was exceptional.  

This was taken on our field trip to Perugia.  The sculpture was fabulous.  We saw a wedding at the church, and the bride had on the most exquisite dress.  They were running out after the ceremony.  She had married a handsome, much older man...

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Culture Shock

 Although I absolutely loved the week that I spent in Italy, I have to admit I did struggle with culture shock.  I normally get up at 5:00 a.m. and make coffee.  Where we stayed, breakfast was not served until 8:00 a.m.  I got into the habit of taking an early morning walk, and then relaxing in the sleek bathtub to kill time.

The trip made me acutely aware that I am one of those Americans who eats all day long…I am a grazer.  In Italy, they eat three meals a day.  They don’t snack.   I normally have a second meal at 10:00 a.m. Even as a child in school, I would wolf down a sandwich at my locker during recess.  My mom packed me two  in my lunchbox for that reason.  She understood that I got hungry mid morning, and that was her idea to tide me over until our school’s lunchtime.  I still eat that way.  I prefer to have very little food in my stomach when I sleep.  I also practice yoga before bed.

Lunch at our resort was 1:00 p.m.  I trained myself to eat a heavier breakfast, since my body is not used to having several hours between meals.  I never quite adapted, I just felt like I was overeating.  The food was exceptional, though.

Dinners were looked forward to and revered.   I dressed carefully and put on smoky eye make-up.  An Italian supper felt like three meals to me.   I enjoyed sitting with our group and devoured the delicious pasta, main courses, local wine, and light and tasty desserts. It was a huge adjustment though, since I normally eat three salads a day, several pieces of fruit, and have dinner at 4:00 p.m.  I did my best to go with the flow, and made sure to enjoy and taste everything.  

I felt full for a week upon returning to LA.  I guess the long international flights, extensive layovers, and stress took their toll on my body.  I was sick and weak for several days, though I am normally very healthy.  But, it was all worth it, and I learned that am not as young and invincible as I used to be.  Traveling that far by plane is really not a very natural thing.  I would like to take a transatlantic cruise next year.

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Travel Teaches You About Your Habits

 

I arrived with my suitcases in Umbria at about 10:30 p.m.  Although the kitchen at our resort was closed, one of the waiters was still there, and he prepared a beautiful tray of sliced bread, salami, and cheese for me. He brought it upstairs to my room.  I wolfed it down appreciatively.  He was so sensitive and kind, and he looked me right in the eye.  Waiters in Europe are such dedicated professionals.  They really take pride in their work.  My father commented on it when he and my mother visited me in Vienna.

My bed was incredibly comfortable, and I slept thoroughly and soundly.  I kept the windows open, and the crisp mountain air felt fresh and soothing. 

I swam in the pool nearly every day.  The atmosphere was serene and nurturing.  As with everything there, it was kept in immaculate condition.  The garden amplified its beauty.

The tables below are where our delightful meals were served.  I never tired of the spectacular scenery.  What a lovely place!

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More Photos of Italia:Where We Stayed

 This is the front door to our home for the week.  The grounds were impeccable.  All of the staff cares deeply for this former hunting lodge.  They are very dedicated and conscientious people.

This is the library, where I would often sit in that flowered chair and recharge my mini iPad.  It was so relaxing.  There is nothing like staying in a real Italian home.

Just to the left of those geraniums is where we savored our marvelous meals.  Each one was enjoyed al fresco, except for the final evening, when it rained.  The flowers were carefully watered with a watering can by the groundskeeper each morning.

While the others were sleeping  I would take a walk through the village.  It was so green and unspoiled.  It felt like we were living life in another time.

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In Love With Umbria, Italy

 It sounds like many of you share my passion for Italy.  I took many photos…the settings were breathtaking.  This was across from the restaurant where we had dinner on our second evening.  

I loved the decor at our villa.  The antiques, orchids, charging station, and candy dish were such attentive touches.

The stone walls of the restaurant made it feel so authentic and charming. The couple in front organized our tour.  

We were surrounded by the Tuscan countryside.  The greenery of the vineyards, olive trees, and gardens made it feel like a storybook setting.  The mountain air felt crisp and healthy.  I noticed it as soon as we arrived.

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