The Italian Summer 2006

As every summer for the last ... for every year so far actually ... we have been traveling to Puglia, a remote area in Italy mostly known for hosting the ports where everybody gets a boat for Greece. This time we went there by car and stopped on the way in Emilia to visit a friend of ours, who introduced us to the beauty of the part of Italy.

The first stop of our trip was Carpi, a small city near Modena. I did not know much of it and I expected it to be a typical "borgo" in Emilia. It revealed to be really a nice little town with a huge square and perfectly maintained historical buildings. I know understand why my odl friend really loves his town.

While there, we have been lucky enough to spend some time in Modena, sligthly larger (for italian standards) than Carpi. Modena impressed me mostly for the nice streets and bars, a great little "crescenteria" where they prepare crescentine (something like piadine) and a fantastic main square with a beautifully kept cathedral .... and it pends like the famous Pisa tower!!!!



From Modena we spent an afternoon visiting the Acetaia San Giacomo, where they produce the world famous Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio. We were perfectly hosted in making a tasting to know this local produce. Something amazing, totally difference from the Aceto Balsamico, much more complex and probably difficult to use in some of its variants. I was tempted to buy one of all types ... but my fiancee pointed out that we do not know how to use it yet and we started with a couple of varieties. Our host was really fabulous as it spent ont only time, but added a great bottle of lambrusco on the way. It definitively changed my perception about this wine. Since we were in the area, we were also brought to a typical caseificio where they make Parmesan cheese and we were fascinated by the amazing smell when we were brought in the chamber for the maturation. Something unforgettable!!



After Emilia we drove straight to Puglia. I feel that this is a very unknown and underrated part of Italy. Unfortunately, turists might easily get ripped off here ... but with a good local guide (actually friend) Puglia might reveal a great place to visit and not just pass by on the way to Greece. I do not want to spend many words about it since we did spend quite some time on the road (and on the beaches). Just look at the photos to have a glimpse of the area were I grew up and that it never fails to amaze me when I visit it ... pity that it always feels like it never changes.





On the way back, we stopped in Como. If you can ... really try and go there for a couple of days. It was too late to make a shot of the lake with my old canon camera. Pity, it is beautiful. A little and old town, full of small streets and well preserved buildings. Great view from the lake ... just go there. Despite what they say in Italy, it is still not an expensive place to be ... and you never know, you might meet George Clooney or somebody else from the Ocean Twelve movie ...



And lots of food!!! We have been cookng a bit and I will try to post the recipes in the coming days!!!