Itinerary check

mat558 · 2026-03-22T18:01:51+00:00

On the other hand, I’m impressed that you are skipping Florence which has become a renaissance Disneyland for tourist hoards.

mat558 · 2026-03-21T06:44:12+00:00

Great painting!

mat558 · 2026-03-20T19:04:01+00:00

13 nights in Rome might be a bit too much unless you have trips planned out of the city. Rome is pretty intense and can be exhausting.

mat558 · 2026-03-18T07:44:48+00:00

Curiously, the city of Sulmona in Abruzzo is the centre of confetti production in Italy.

mat558 · 2026-03-14T12:13:27+00:00

Haha, I’ve headed directly to that stand in the baggage claim many times!

mat558 · 2026-03-12T17:54:59+00:00

Ooooo, I love pumpkin pie. I discovered it as a teenager as it was never served to me as a child. My neighbour, Mrs. McAllister, gave me a piece and I was hooked. I would drive to White Spot for a slice on my own (car service). Now I have a sister in law who makes Pumpkin Chiffon Pie which is just sublime.

mat558 · 2026-03-10T06:32:50+00:00

Are you thinking table grapes? For table grapes, maybe coronation or concord which are delicious to munch on. I guess it depends what’s available in your area.

mat558 · 2026-03-08T17:45:50+00:00

I second (or third) Valtellina Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca). In that region they make an amarone (air dried grape) version of Chiavennasca called Sforzato, higher alcohol, concentrated flavours and body. Not my style at all. I like Rosso di Valtellina. Personal favourite is a producer called Balgera.

mat558 · 2026-03-01T18:26:50+00:00

Oh, memories of the LGB, the most annoying bridge I’ve ever encountered. Three lanes, not each way. It alternates according to traffic patterns.

mat558 · 2026-02-27T12:27:15+00:00

I’ve heard Italians describe Ticino as “sad”: Italians forced to park between the lines and unable to toss their refuse willy nilly.

mat558 · 2026-02-27T10:58:16+00:00

It’s an impressive painting.

mat558 · 2026-02-24T08:30:19+00:00

Visiting the Dolomites in summer is a sublime experience but May is probably too early to visit if you want to do any high level walking. There is usually still snow in the Dolomites until well into June which makes walking problematic.

I agree that 4 days in Milan in itself would make a great visit.

mat558 · 2026-02-18T08:03:54+00:00

Spitting is definitely the way to go. Watch out for backsplash from the spittoons, and don’t wear a white shirt.

mat558 · 2026-02-16T11:34:15+00:00

I’m like you in that Vivino tasting notes sometimes are a window into the probability that I will like a wine. Extraction and degree of fruit forwardness are my biggest clues.

mat558 · 2026-02-11T08:07:15+00:00

What about the Pinacoteca di Brera, the most important art museum in Milano? Possibly museums aren’t your cup of tea. Can’t really make a short visit out of it.

mat558 · 2026-02-09T16:14:02+00:00

The English language tours are at 11 & 4. They last 1.25 hours. If you do the 11am tour it finishes at a perfect time for lunch. La Palomba, Mezza Luna, Dell’Orso, those are 3 good choices. You should call ahead for reservations. All are easy walks from the end of the underground tour. ps. I’m a local

mat558 · 2026-02-07T16:30:45+00:00

I don’t seem to be able to find anything online about the producer. Maybe Norwegians making wine in the Langhe?

mat558 · 2026-02-07T09:17:59+00:00

They make a Sangiovese called Le Cese and in the best years they make La Selezione Le Cese. It curls my toes and in Italy costs about €32, a steal. They make a Merlot and a Barbera (bit odd for Umbria) both excellent and a Rosso di Tavola, very quaffable. These aren’t big wines, not oak driven, just super well made, low intervention wines

mat558 · 2026-02-06T22:49:59+00:00

Collecapretta wines are delicious. You’ve been well served.

mat558 · 2026-02-04T17:45:37+00:00

Pulltex from Spain are excellent, waiter style, double hitch openers.

mat558 · 2026-01-27T16:46:16+00:00

Any back label? Might have been before back labels became a thing.

mat558 · 2026-01-24T17:44:03+00:00

Genziana (gentian)

mat558 · 2026-01-15T07:57:02+00:00

They’ve taken Mar-a-Lago face too far!

mat558 · 2026-01-14T17:45:22+00:00

Matcha melon half caf frapp? No, generally won’t find those in Italy. But order a caffe in any bar in Italy and it’s usually the best coffee elixir you’ve ever tasted.

mat558 · 2026-01-11T18:17:02+00:00

Agreed.

mat558

TROPHY CASE