Tartufo Bianco

The 79th Annual International White Truffle Festival (Fiera del Tartufo Bianco d'Alba) is taking place in Alba, a town in the Region of Piedmont until November 8, 2009.

The white truffle, called "trifola" by the Piedmontese, is named after  the ancient village, Alba Pompeia. White truffles, a true delicacy, are found far under the soil near the roots of hazel, beech, and oak trees, and worth their weight in gold. Click on the title bar and find out how much a white truffle went for in last year's international auction!

If truffles don't fascinate you, wines from nearby Barolo and Barbaresco will.  One of my favorite estates to visit is Famiglia Anselma whose young winemaker, Maurizio, is committed to producing quality Barolo on the family's 80 hectares estate.

Leave ample time to tour both the Baroque Church of St. John the Baptist that houses the Madonna of the Graces (1377) by Barnaba da Modena, and Madonna with Saints (1508) by Macrino d'Alba and the Gothic Church of San Domenico (13th-14th century) considered the most artistically important Church in the town.

Ciao e a presto,

The Best of Abruzzo

I had to think long and hard about what I wanted to say about Abruzzo because Abruzzo offers so much to see and do. Castelli is a good place to start.  A beautiful hill town with spectacular views of the Gran Sasso, and one of the best places to buy ceramics in all of Italy. You might want to visit the Museo della Ceramica, the ceramics museum  located in the Ex-Franciscan Monastery just outside Castelli.

Not to be missed is the St. Clemente Abbey which was built in 871. The Abbey lies in the Province of Pescara and is open from October to April. If you need a place to stay, try the four-star Zunica 1880 Ristorante and Hotel located in Civitella.

Let's not forget about the fresh local specialties such as scamorze cheese made from buffalo milk to be accompanied by a glass of  rosatello aquilano, or a nice light white wine such as Corfinio della Valle Peligna.  And last but not least, if you have have time to spare, sign up for an Italian Language Vacation on the Adriatic coast in the town of Lanciano.

Ciao e a presto,