Italian journeys

  The great fact in life, the always possible escape from dullness, was the lake. The sun rose out of it, the day began there; it was like an open door that nobody could shut. The land and all its dreariness could never close in on you. You had only to look at the lake, […]

My final day at inClasse …and it is bittersweet. I feel a sadness that my time here has come to an end but joyous as well for the people I’ve met and the new friendships I’ve forged in the short time here. The past four weeks have been a fantastic cultural and learning experience, at […]

Friday night in Verona and we are invited for dinner with Lodovica and her family and friends. Gnocchi – which I am helping to prepare – is on the menu. First, a mountain of potatoes are boiled, then flour is added and the two are kneaded into a soft dough. Quantities are not exact as […]

It was time to get down and get floured! An italian cooking class with la pasticcera Angela. On the menu: Parpagnacchi from Vicenza – biscotti eaten for breakfast, dipped into milk or coffee; Pasta frolla – a pastry used for making tarts; and Crema pasticcera – an italian creamy custard filling for tarts. The group […]

  If we sip the wine, we find dreams coming upon us Out of the imminent night D.H. Lawrence, Grapes It is the perfect daydream; clear blue sky, warm sunshine and sweet grapes for tasting in the beautiful hills of the Valpolicella region. How lucky are we to be alive and on an excursion to […]

My teachers The teachers at InClasse, my language school, are fantastic. They are experienced in language teaching and learning and their teaching methodology is based on the Italian language as it is used today. Giacomo is a fount of knowledge on the history of Verona and I have enjoyed a number of guided walks with […]

The sun is shining, a perfect day to visit Il Giardino Giusti, a beautiful renaissance garden in Verona. Giacomo is in fine form as usual, as our guide through the garden and its history. The Giusti family, nobles from Florence, had to flee the city as they supported the wrong side…ahh, politics! It was medieval […]

Yes, Timo has arrived in Verona! Not without some anxious moments on my part however. Final contact was at 8.30 am in Milano, then…nothing! Numerous messages sent, a number of phone calls across the Atlantic and a dash to Stazione Porta Nuova, Verona and…he is in the apartment when I return, a bit crazy and […]