Little Claire, thanks so much for your note: “…your place is the best place in Italy… I am glad I came here because since you live in Italy, now I like it. I think Italy is much more better than New York. Miss you. Love, your best friend, Claire” (age 7).
And Leslie (and Ken), thanks so much for the note below about your stay in our countryside apartment, Casa Nuova.
We too loved every minute of your week-long stay right near our farmhouse (and all the animals miss you, Claire!). The photos below are a few memories of the good times, underscoring what you wrote, Leslie:
“Dear Anne,
Your home was PERFECT! We loved it! It felt like were were at home!
Our sincere thanks for sharing with us so generously ‘Anne’s Italy’. We came to Italy (and for Claire and I, the first trip..) to really engage in the culture…..the Italian people…live it rather than just see it!
You made that all possible for us. Thank you for introducing us to your wonderful rural friends and neighbors and the townspeople. We loved them all.
Your passion and love for Italy are infectious and come through so clearly……your knowledge of Italy’s history is fascinating.
Most of all, thank you for making this a most memorable and special trip for our Claire…she wants to come back and stay. She will miss you and the animals..surely!
We had a fantastic time. The rural tour was just absolutely the best.….we can’t say enough about it. Undoubtedly, we will see you again.”
With much affection,
Claire, Leslie and Ken D., Nyack, NY
Too many photo memories of our good times together (and little Claire stars in so many!)…but let me start with our “arrivederci” day:
Our “last breakfast”:
Claire helps me feed the chickens before leaving:
…and then she feeds the goats:
…and of course, she has to say her “arrivederci” to our Maremmano sheep dogs, Lamone and Selva:
…and then an “arrivederci” kiss from Selva
Ben, Leslie and Claire in front of our house just before leaving…
and with Pino:
With Pino in front of Casa Nuova – departure time
..and a stop at the cashmere outlet before getting on the highway:
Glad you all enjoyed our Assisi tour – and lunch after with Franca, at La Fontanella:
Taking in Assisi pleasures
A lunch cooked just for us by Franca at La Fontanella
Homemade tagliatelle with wild mushrooms Franca hunted!
….and pasta with sausage for Claire
Grilled pork chop coming up for Claire
…and of course, our “rural life” adventure was a highlight, wasn’t it?
Highlights of our “rural life” adventure:
When are you all coming back?
La nostra porta e’ sempre aperta!
Click here to read all about the adventures of guests in our countryside apartments
Read about – and see – our rural farmhouse, our rural friends (and us!) years ago
Read why a “rural life” adventure is a highlight of any Umbrian stay
Read why our rural friends are “givers of the greatest gifts”
Click here for more on our rural friends
Read more about our treasured rural friends
Read about Peppe, an Umbrian rural “treasure”
Don’t miss an evening with the rural people of Umbria
Read more about rural friends, a rural tradition
FRANCA!!!!! omg….you have lost a ton of weight!!! lookin’ good, girlfriend! and oh how I miss your pasta and pork chops!!
Looks like your guests had a blast!!