Spring Adventures!

Although the winter wasn't that harsh, it sure seemed long. And after months and months of gray, rainy skies and tired, dead looking trees and fields, Mama Natura flipped the Spring Switch to ON! This place went crazy with bright green leaves and beautifully bloomin' flowers. When the weather gets good after a long winter nap: lay on their front porch catchin' rays in their underwear, and boozin' it up admidst all of the beauty that Italy has to offer. Luckily (for you), Cyn and I went more for the latter rather than the former...


Prosecco Hills
For the last weekend in April we went to the "Prosecco Hills", an area about an hour and 30 minutes northeast of us. This hilly region is known for making the best Prosecco wine, espcially the town of Valdobbiadene. Our good friend Sandy arranted the excursion for about 15 of us. Our first stop was a little cantina to pick up a few bottles of Prosecco. And then over to Farro di Saligo to a little "Agriturismo". Agriturismi are farm houses that have been converted to B&B's and restaurants. Usually all of the food prepared there is fresh from the farm, and this agriturismo called "Al Credazzo" did not dissappoint. We had an 8 course meal of gnocchi pasta, bruschetta, cold cuts and cheese, and for the main entree, spit-roasted meats (yum!). We enjoyed our lunch inside, but then went outside to enjoy the gorgeous spring day.

Agriturismo Al Credazzo

The luncheon aftermath...

Cyn & Sandy enjoy some rays

Villa Sceriman
Our good friends and frequent blog all-stars, Marlene and Ann, have been telling us about this Villa in the town of Vo' down to the south of Vicenza. Villa Sceriman bottles there own wine (of course), but they also have a wonderful, wisteria-covered patio area where you can sit and while away an afternoon enjoying cheese, bread, and coldcuts. It sounded great, so we trekked out on a sparkling spring afternoon. Along the way we picked Giovanna, our good friend and Italian instructor, who lives in Castegnero, about halfway between us and Vo. Finding the place would've been impossible for me without Giovanna's direction. I went down tiny little country roads and hung a blind right into the villa's driveway. It was like crossing into an exclusive garden. Unfortunately the wisteria was already past its prime, however after the FIFTH bottle of wine, we really didn't notice.

Giovanna and Cyn pay for our gastronomic delights!

What we drank...

What we ate...

Where we spent the afternoon...

Cyn, Giovanna, and Marlene

Ann and Cyn

Well how could we top a leirsurely afternoon spent drinking wine and enjoying fresh bread, Asiago cheese, and Italian cold cuts? By going to a great Italian restaurant and having some pear and prosciutto pasta, that's how! Aeolia's is a popular haunt with a beautiful garden out front.