Everyone is in love with Italy.

Ciao tutti,  We have been enjoying Italy for the past few days to the max!  We left France behind Tuesday morning and hit the road for a pretty curvy drive along the coast and through the mountains on our way to the Italian region of Piedmonte.  Our destination was an area called the Langhe Hills and the village of Barolo.  This region is famous for some of Italy's best red wines.  The area is filled with vineyards that have been producing the Nebbiola grape for centuries.  Several years ago the Langhe Hills was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for this history of winemaking.  Everyone enjoyed walking around the pretty town that is pretty much made up of wine shops.  There was time for a quick lunch before we moved on to nearby La Morra, another stunning high hill town.  

In La Morra, we enjoyed a fun wine tasting at the La Morra Cantina.  Here Francesca introduced everyone to the local wines and explained about the grapes used and the methods of production for each one.  We tried a Barbera d'Alba, a Nebbiola and of course a Barolo.  Everyone really enjoyed the wine and learning about this celebrated region.  Afterwards, there was time to explore La Morra a bit and to experience one of the most amazing views in Italy.  Since La Morra sits over1000 feet above the valley, you have views of the huge valley filled with quaint villages, castles, vineyards and hazelnut trees.  It is truly jaw-dropping to see. 

Once we left La Morra we wound our way down the hills and made a stop for some photo time in the vineyards and fun on the huge red bench.  Check out the photos to see just how much fun everyone did have.  Then we were off to our lovely overnight destination, the Fontanafredda wine estate and their beautiful Hotel Le Case Dei Conti Mirafiore.  There was some time to rest in the luxurious rooms or walk around the estate's amazing grounds before meeting for one of the most memorable dinners on the trip.

Bistrot Guido, a part of the 1-Star Michellin rated Ristorante Guido is located in what was the one-time family estate villa.  We sat down at a huge table for 15 guests and began an amazing evening.  We were actually the only people in the room other than another table of 4.  There is actually a kitchen in the room as well where you can watch your food being prepared by one of the Bistrot chefs.  We had Chef Paolo for our dinner.  Our hostess was Sofia and she did a fantastic job of handling 15 people.  We were served a set menu that consisted of multiple courses accompanied by estate wines.  I do not have enough time to tell you about each course, but I can assure you that all were delicious!  Everyone had the chance to try some new wines as well.  By the time the dessert, which was homemade Fiori Latte gelato, everyone was pretty much in foodie heaven.  It was truly an evening to remember.  We had delicious food and wine served in a beautiful setting with perfect service.  What more could anyone ask for??

Yesterday, there was time to relax a bit and enjoy the estate in the morning.  Harvest had started, so it was fun to see all the activity in the winery.  I think it was hard for everyone to say farewell to this amazing setting.  We did say goodbye however, and once again found ourselves on a very curvy Autostrada on our way south to the Ligurian coast and the Italian Riviera.  We passed through the huge and busy city of Genoa, home to Christopher Columbus.  Here we had our first glimpse of the sea, but this time on the other side of the Mediterranean from the one we had enjoyed on France's Riviera.  Finally we made our way to Sestri Levante, a pretty European resort style town along the Italian Riviera.  Everyone was pretty tired and when they saw the Hotel Vis a' Vis, our home for the next two nights, they were pretty excited.  The views alone from its high perch on a hill overlooking the town and sea below is pretty amazing, but the rooms and staff are wonderful too.  Everyone headed up to the rooftop terrace bar to soak in those amazing views and enjoy a cocktail.  It was truly a perfect place to be. 

Later we walked into town to see the sights before sitting down to another fantastic dinner at Ristorante Verve.  Here Kenneth and Chica welcomed us with open arms and once again all enjoyed a delicious meal with great local wines. 

Today was a free day for all and what a great place for it.  Several spent the day enjoying Sestri Levante.  The VC hopped on a private boat for a visit to the nearby Cinque Terre villages.  They even took some time to swim in the sea.  Wow!  What an unforgettable experience!  Sarah and I had a delicious lunch at the Ristorante Castelli that we shared with a very attentive Sea Gull. 

This evening everyone met at the Zeus Bar on the terrace for some live entertainment that turned out to be fabulous!  There were several opera singers that "wowed" everyone in the place.  It was a perfect way to end several days in this peaceful spot along Italy's coast.  I have a feeling that there may be a few who return here someday, just as I have again and again ever since my sister and I discovered Sestri Levante many years ago. 

Tomorrow we will head into Tuscany for the day and then move north to the Emilia Romagna region for the night.  I have no doubt that it will be love at first sight when they see Tuscany and the walled town of Lucca.  I will try to get more pictures posted when I have faster Internet, I promise.  I have some wonderful photos.  I will see you in a few days.  Ciao, Suzan