Zurers in Italy: May-June 2019

[Jim Zurer]

We leave in less than two weeks for our annual "research" trip to Italy. This year we are headed south (mostly)--Caserta, Naples, Trivigno, Puglia (Lecce, Polignano a Mare and Trani). We then head to Le Marche to take advantage of the prize we won in the Slow Europe contest (thanks Pauline and Giulia da Urbino)--a week at Locanda della Valle Nuova near Urbino. We will end up with three days in Rome.

A May 6: Arrive Rome and drive to Caserta
B May 6-8: Caserta (meeting our Swedish friends Ulf and Elinor)
C May 8-12: Naples
D May 12-14: Trivigno (visiting expat friends Valerie and Bryan Schneider who have moved to Basilicata)
E May 14-19: Lecce
F May 19-22: Polignano a Mare
G May 22-26: Trani
H May 26-June 2: Fermignano (staying at Locanda della Valle Nuova...prize won on Slow Europe contest)
I June 2-5: Rome

Pauline has graciously agreed to post my daily trip reports again this year here on Slow Europe.

 

[jan]

Looking forward to your reports!

 

[Pauline]

May 12 Lunch with Pauline and Steve on the way to Trivigno.

 

[BryanS]

We'll see you in a couple weeks!

 

[Tony da Roma]

Jim, if you have the chance I would recommend checking out the town of Corinaldo. It is one of the "Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia". Laura and I were there this past fall and not only is it a charming, walled, hill-top town; but it was also probably the cleanest towns I have ever seen in Italy! Plus, there was no one there! We practically had the entire town to ourselves!!! For lunch in the town, check out Osteria de Scuretto. More of a wine bar, but they have a simple menu with good food. They are also very friendly and super accommodating.

If you want some amazing wine, you need to try both Bucci and Sartarelli. Especially Sartarelli, who is probably the best producer of Verdicchio in the country! Let me know if you plan on going there, I can send an email introduction between you and the owners. I will make sure they lay out the red carpet for you! If you end up going into that area to visit either Bucci or Sartarelli, you should stop at Locanda Hostaria della Posta. This place is as hole-in-the-wall as it gets!!! The food is countryside simple, but oh so tasty. You will eat like a king and queen and spend less than 20 euros per person!

 

[Valerie]

See you soon! Should I reserve the zipline for you?

 

[Jim Zurer]

May 12 Lunch with Pauline and Steve on the way to Trivigno.

Valerie...thanks for the restaurant recommendation in Vietri sul Mare. I had a nice "conversation" with Matteo of Sesta Stazione on Facebook Messenger. I was asking about parking and he said if we had any problems we should call him. And I also made the reservation at the same time....

 

[Jim Zurer]

See you soon! Should I reserve the zipline for you?

Thanks for the offer....but ziplines are not in my comfort zone.....I am afraid of heights.

 

[Jim Zurer]

Jim, if you have the chance I would recommend checking out the town of Corinaldo.

Tony...thanks for these recommendations....will put them in my notes.

 

[Valerie]

Jim,

I was joking on the zipline But we will have a nice stroll and lunch over there.

Sesta Stazione is great; we've had many wonderful meals there.

 

[Alpinista]

The year that we did a week in Puglia was one of the best side trips ever -- loved the food; the wild scenery along the coast; the beautiful towns with such varied architecture and style.