La Passeggiata. A Right Of Passage.

The verb "to walk" in english translates to "camminare" in italian.  It's the physical act of walking.  For example: to "walk" to the store, to "walk" quicker, to "walk" next to me.  La Passeggiata is something else entirely.  It is "The Walk," and Italians have become quite famous for it.  I've done a lot of walking in the last couple of days in a lot of different places.  La Passeggiata is something I'd like to bring home with me.  It's long (today's was 10 kilometers...that's a little over 6 miles for those of you who need the conversion...), and at times arduous (especially with kids...and hills...and sun...) but there is something ever so lovely about taking a stroll through the countryside or in the streets of a city near the square.  I've loved getting to know my family better during these treks through the various terrain that north eastern Italy has to offer.  On Friday, Silvia and I took a stroll through Vittorio Veneto.  This is the small, hillside town that her parents live in.  They watched the kids so that we could have some girl time together!  Saturday, the whole family went to Cansiglio in the mountains where Silvia's parents have a summer home.  Today, we were in Valbona walking through the Prosecco vineyards.  I think the pictures will explain more for today's post.  Enjoy!

Peace, Love and Travel,
Reba

New idea for feet pictures.  I want to take one of each city or important thing I ever visit in life.  This picture is on the trail behind Silvia's parents house, leading us down to the city centre of Vittorio Veneto.

There is a church (St. Augusta) way up on a hillside in Vittorio Veneto, this is where the staircase up to the church once started, most of the staircase no longer exists.

A river runs right through the town.  Beautiful.

The square.

Sivia's father!  A lovely man.

Got these raisin rolls at a bakery before we arrived at the mountain home...we needed a little sustenance for our long walk!

The view from the mountain house's front porch...

This is an artists home across the street from the mountain house.  It's made entirely of wood.  Look at the details below. Note that the chimney is a fountain pen!!

The house is made to look like books.

And the gate...colored map pencils!!!

View in the mountains.

We walked all the way up to a tiny cheese shop on the side of the mountain.

Taking a rest.

Midday nap on the porch after a hearty lunch.

Feet pic.  Mountain House.

This little guy was at an aperitif party we went to Saturday night.

The Italians do a great job at throwing a pre-dinner affair.  This is their version of a happy hour.

Our host (sitting) and our hostess (in red)

One of our host's hobbies is cultivating bonsai trees!

A walk this morning in Valbona, through the Prosecco vineyards.

Grapes!

Lovely countryside.

Family

Just chillin' with the grapes.

Did you know that rose bushes are grown next to the vines because they are a delicate flower.  If the roses get sick, chances are the vine is not far behind!  Learn something new everyday!

The guys.

Met this little fellow on our journey!

Family foot pic.  Valbona Prosecco vineyards.

10k...

This is the church that Laura and Giovanni got married in!!  Shout out to the TIKI-TALIANS!!

At a winery.

Towards the end of the walk.

Andrea had lost his shirt by this point...it had started getting a bit on the warm side...

Prosecco trail.