Summary
Arriving at our first destination on our Italian road trip was considerably later than expected. Between various photo stops and travels, we ultimately reached around 9.30 pm.
At that moment, all that crossed my mind was, “I hope Italian restaurants remain open late” although I mistakenly considered whether my thoughts were misplaced in relation to Spain or Portugal instead of Italy.
Upon our late arrival—all the lights dimmed—we were greeted by the hosts of the Agriturismo where we would be staying, namely Agriturismo L’Orto Bio, who welcomed us with a brief tour of our accommodations for the evening.
For those unfamiliar, Agriturismo resembles English bed and breakfasts; they are farmhouses where visitors can live with local families, providing an authentic Italian experience.
Our hosts were organic farmers and seemingly possessed an innate understanding of my considerable hunger, despite the language barrier (they did not speak English). They graciously invited us to a barbecue dinner. We commenced a polite refusal, led by Gabriele’s translation, but as anticipated, I did not object for long, and shortly we found ourselves enjoying a late-night feast!
The barbecue remained active throughout the evening, and wine was generously shared. Lorenzo and Giorgia, who we had encountered in Milan the previous day, also stayed at the same establishment, joining us for dinner.
This dinner was perhaps the most authentic Italian culinary experience I have encountered. The family prepared their own meal, generously including five additional guests (with ample food for everyone), and all attendees communicated in Italian, except Lloyd and myself.
Lorenzo and Gabriele endeavored to translate the conversation (alongside Giorgia), yet entirely, we all absorbed the moment where language barriers faded against kindness, sincerity, and humor. I occasionally used my mobile phone for translation, only to be caught off guard when the device announced the translation aloud! Thus, my pretense of Italian fluency quickly dissipated.
The barbecue continuously sizzled throughout the night…
The wine continued to flow! The hosts, Lorenzo and Giorgia, who had joined us for dessert were delightful companions for the evening.
The next morning, we all opted for a leisurely start before venturing outside. The weather was splendid, and no one felt compelled to rush. I seized the opportunity to explore more of L’Orto Bio under the warmth of the sun…
Before long, it was necessary to continue our journey—however, a prerequisite espresso (and biscuits) was essential to fuel us!
Interestingly, Gabriele does not favor coffee. A peculiar trait for an Italian, indeed. 🙂 😉
Facebook check-ins were naturally an important component to commence the day…
However, anticipate numerous photos such as this below, particularly when you enlist someone like Gabriele to capture images of you!
Eventually, we bid farewell, cheered on by other guests at the farm, as we prepared to head toward our next destination—Cinque Terre!
In a somewhat serendipitous turn of events, as we traveled toward Cinque Terre, we unexpectedly found ourselves passing key attractions in Pisa on our route. Our planning was rather spontaneous, and we were unaware of our position until moments before our arrival.
I made an immediate request to disembark from the rickshaw upon spotting the Leaning Tower of Pisa! The tower is magnificent and always captivating; however, my primary admiration lies with the cathedral! Its intricate designs and remarkable interior truly make it one of my favorite places in Italy, and perhaps in the entire world.
Throughout my visits, I have captured many photographs…
Pisa, as an unplanned stop during our trip, proved to be quite delightful! This marked my third visit, yet it remains a continuous source of fascination! 🙂 Moreover, I always couple my Pisano experience with my affection for Florence, one of my cherished cities, thus ensuring a satisfying journey.
Thus, as we resume our rickshaw journey, we quickly traverse through several Tuscan villages toward our subsequently planned destination!
