ST. TRAVELS

OK, we did it.  We’re back in the U.S., overflowing with gratitude for the opportunity to visit beatuiful Italia.  Here’s our “best of” list for our three week Italy trip!

Best Food, Meals, and Ristorantes 

• Best restaurant atmosphere – Ristorante Belforte – above the Vernazza harbor in Cinque Terra
• Best cafe for people watching – Varenna Cafe Bistrot on Lake Como
• Finest restaurant dinner – Ristorante Del Duca in Volterra, Tuscany
• Best cafe breakfast – il Pirata in Vernazza (Cinque Terra)
• Best homecooked meal – Kathy’s bruchetta in Volterra
• Best meal for Sue – Ristorante Belforte above the Vernazza harbor in Cinque Terra
• Best meal for Ted – Ristorante Del Duca in Volterra, Tuscany
• Best food in an agriturismo – Five course dinner at Locanda Roseti in Orvieto
• Best cooking class – Lake Como Ristorante il Caminetto in Varenna
• Best gelato – TIE! – Riva in Varenna and AssisIce in Assisi
• Best wine – Volterra Podere Marcampo – 80% sangiovese and 20% merlot grapes
• Best Mojito – Excelsior Westin Hotel in Rome (repeat award winner from 2010)
• Best Sprintz drink (for Sue) – Il Pirata in Vernazza (Cinque Terra)
• Favorite cheese – Pecorino (Sue liked it hot, liked it cold, liked it alone, and liked it with other foods)

Hotels and Agriturismos

• Best hotel – Eremo Gaudio in Varenna overlooking Lake Como
• Best agriturismo – TIE!  Podere Marcampo in Volterrra and Locanda Roseti in Orvieto
• Best pool at a hotel/agriturismo – Podere Marcampo in Volterra
• Best view from lodging – Eremo Gaudio in Varenna overlooking Lake Como
• Best vineyard/wine tour – From Claudia Del Duca at Podere Marcampo in Volterra
• Best dinner host – Gianpiero Roseti at Locanda Roseti in Orvieto

Best Towns, Buildings, and Churches

• Best town visit – Assisi
• Best Tuscany hilltop town – Civita di Bagnoregio
• Best duomo/basilica – St Francis in Assisi

Best Excursions, Drives, and Events

• Best drive day – Volterra to Siena
• Best excursion on wheels – Evening Segway tour in Milan
• Best excursion on the water – Angelo’s Sunset Boat Tour in Cinque Terra
• Highest temperature – 99 degrees in Assisi
• Best hike/walk – Cinque Terra trail from Vernazza to Corniglia
• Best train ride – Milan to Lake Como
• Best transportation from reception to room – Two funiculars and one elevator ride in Varenna at Hotel Eremo Gaudio
• Best spontaneous daytime event – Playing guitars with Mr. Pizza in Siena
• Best car – Peugeot 308sw
• Ted’s best swim – Ligurian Sea (Mediterranean) at Vernazza
• Best travel companions – Dave and Kathy Nielsen