Falling Harder for Piedmont

[Leely2]

Wonderful report and mouthwatering photos, thank you! I just returned from traveling, so am catching up on the full story.

[Gooster]

@byarvin

Entracque isn’t tourist-free. It fills with day and weekend trippers from Genoa, Nice, and Turin when the weather is good. But you won’t find those sorts of “platter after platter” places. Most of the weekend crowd would find them too fattening and expensive - our major draw is outdoor sports, not gastronomy.

I was just looking at the map and noticing how close Entraque was to the border —and this comment hit a little close to home — I’ve only been as far as Tende. Some friends took the drive over the border this past summer and I was inspired by their photos. I can see how the italian side of the parklands could be a great outdoor adventure. And the spots to eat are also great as well – I took note of the ones you mentioned.

[Ziggy]

@erica1

Does anyone ever feel that they’ve “seen it all; I’m ready to stay home and rest???”

Yes and no. After roughly 10 trips, I feel like I reached the point where I’m not remotely close to seeing everything, but at the same time I’ve seen most of the big destinations that left us wanting more. Puglia, Sicily, Piedmont, Tuscany have that perfect combo of touristy, rural off the beaten path, and variety of attractions where you can spend weeks in each. I’m running out of these. Looking at Sardina now for example, I just dont get the same fuzzy feeling.

[erica1]

I’m with you on the having seen most of the “Big ticket” destinations in Italy (hardly all, however). One region that needs to be on your List is Abruzzo and I think Leely can concur here…or, combo: Le Marche and Abruzzo.

Agree in full about Sardinia: It’s been about three years since I bought the Rough Guide and I still can’t drum enough enthusiasm for that island.
Instead, looking into yet another trip to Puglia. Western Tuscany is also drawing me.

[GretchenS]

@erica1

Sardinia

I spent a week there at a friend’s behest. Gorgeous scenery, good to great food, BORING. Very little to see or do (she was happy lying by the pool but that has never been one of my things).

[Leely2]

Yes to Le Marche and Abruzzo. I haven’t been back to Abruzzo because I am a nervous mountain driver. When I was last there, my traveling companion did all the driving.

LOL, GretchenS. Tell us how you really feel.

[GretchenS]

@Leely2

GretchenS. Tell us how you really feel.

Honestly, I kind of subscribe to the “only boring people are bored” train of thought, I can normally find something of interest absolutely anywhere, and I tried SO HARD in Sardinia and was defeated. Perhaps it was a personal failing…

[erica1]

Gretchen: Where did you go on the island?

[damiano]

@Ziggy

Puglia, Sicily, Piedmont, Tuscany have that perfect combo of touristy, rural off the beaten path, and variety of attractions where you can spend weeks in each.

My suggestion would be to orient yourselves more towards the north. Emilia Romagna and Alto Adige have been regions I have enjoyed tremendously. I’m now looking at Friuli Venezia Giulia. Lots of wine, hills, or even mountains, green, the river Po in Emilia Romagna. Renaissance towns, and food, glorious food…

[GretchenS]

It was a very long time ago but somewhere in the Costa Smerelda (my friend’s choice). I did rent a car and go across the island though.

[Ziggy]

Thanks for this. We spent a week in Emilia Romagna so plenty of unfinished business. Would like to go back to Modena, not so much Parma, other than some of the palaces and castles in the area.

[Leely2]

I loved Ferrara–food and atmo.

[Ziggy]

@damiano

I’m now looking at Friuli Venezia Giulia

I’ve been intrigued as well. Are you finding plenty to do and see, or are you considering combining with Slovenia and/or Istria?

[damiano]

Only l’italia for me… But I’m a ‘slow traveler’, I like to take my time. I could easily spend a week in some sleepy town, just pottering around… Especially since I now speak a little Italian. As long as I have a good hotel I’m okay.

As for Parma, I stayed just outside the city centre. Villino di porporano, pls check it out. We went to some great, wonderful restaurants also just outside the city centre. Ai due platani for example. And another place, where literally nobody spoke English, it was the reason for me to start learning Italian.

Connecting with locals is a great way to spend some time and stick around a particular area.

[Ziggy]

Funny, we also stayed at Villino di Porporano. Fantastic B&B. Also enjoyed Ai due platani.
But the highlight was lunch at Locanda Mariella in the mountains.

We travel mostly with another couple, and they (and wife to an extent) cant do Slow Travel. One of the reasons we went to Piedmont without them

[tomatotomato (Denise)]

@damiano

And another place, where literally nobody spoke English, it was the reason for me to start learning Italian.

How did you learn? I’m not looking to be fluent but am curious about a good way to learn a little of the language.

[damiano]

I use an app called duolingo, it works really well. I’ve been learning Italian for over three years now. Have finished all courses and getting bored doing the same sentences… Two weeks ago I started learning Chinese (mandarin).

[tomatotomato (Denise)]

@damiano

I use an app called duolingo, it works really well

You have convinced me to give Duolingo another shot. I didn’t love that app when I tried it previously, but your success encourages me. Grazie mille!

[erica1]

Maybe of interest:

https://www.amazon.com/Terra-Fortunata-Splendid-Venezia-Giulia-Undiscovered/dp/076790611X

[Jab1 (Joe B)]

Ziggy, I’m with you on Coccinella - a favorite of mine for around ten years. Hits this September included shrimp curd with preaches, zucchini flan, tagliatelle with porcini (wonderful), spaghetti with Rabb it rags,. lamb chops, scallops with porcini and caramel peach. Amazing lunch!

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