La dolce vita
Food writer and popular media personality Annabelle White
delights in searching out that unique pleasurable experience in far
flung parts of the world that is both non-touristy and plenty of fun.
Just give her a Vespa in Tuscany and Umbria with some other
enthusiasts and she is away.
Mention the words “la dolce vita” and people’s eyes light up.
Those glorious images of a voluptuous woman frolicking
about in a fountain in the original film, the handsome
Casanova roaring off into the sunset on a Vespa crying out
“ciao, Bella!” and long, languid Italian lunches under grape
vines, all come instantly to mind. You can almost taste and
smell the bowls of simple, luscious, handmade pasta and
glistening platters of antipasti all washed down with good red
wine and plenty of laughter and happy banter. Yes, it is a
cliché but it does exist.
Italians know how to enjoy life and often talk about “la dolce
vita” (roughly translated “the sweet life”) and we can get so
much from this ourselves. It is their raisin d’être and it’s as
much about the human spirit as it is about sitting on a terrace
in the pre-dinner hour watching the locals stroll by while
sipping an aperitif and devouring a few olives and bar snacks.
Meet the local wine makers
Stay in top class private hotels
Last year, I took a small group of friends on a Vespa tour with
two amazing Italian guides. We stayed each night in
charming private hotels and our days involved meandering
around on our Vespas from one little village to the next with a
van (for all the luggage) at the back of the group. Each night
we gathered for an exceptional meal and everything was
easy. Our guides, Beppe Sortoni and Paulo Trebbi, were not
only charming and funny – they were warm, affectionate and
so fun many tears were shed as the week came to an end.
On the last night I asked if Beppe and Paulo would do it again
for a limited number of HSBC Premier clients this year – the
magic is that it’s a small group and they agreed to the first
week of June. Perfect weather for a Vespa tour.
Hands on cooking classes
If you can get a motorcycle license and the time away from
responsibilities, bring your partner and join me for the most
fun week you will have had in years.
If the riding of the 150cc Vespa is too daunting, you can hire
a small car and follow the group, either way laughter, good
times, great food and cooking classes and wine appreciation
sessions can be yours for this very special tour.
If you would like to experience this trip of a lifetime,
please email [email protected] or contact Louise
Cleary on 09 368 8745 by 18 February 2011.
Easy parking in small villages