Field Trips 2013
1. Agriturismo day trip: Salvatore's is a holiday farmhouse which offers horseback riding, outdoor and indoor swimming and a restaurant for family style dining. Get to know Italian wines while tasting the house's finest. There are many animals to pet on the farm, but not the wild boars or the deer. A bit standoffish. You will feel you have died and gone to heaven for a day. Getting to know this down-to-earth but sophisticated Roman family including kids and dogs is a delight. Only 35 kilometers from Benano.
2. Pan's pasture: Ever wonder how goat cheese is made but don't want a day trek? Down and up some dirt roads and hidden near Santa Quirico is the closest goat herd and Sicilian cheese maker. See the animals give up their precious milk and how that is turned into the most delicious stuff. Tasting of course, buy if you wish. The cheese is featured at Orvieto's best restaurants. Do not fill up on the fresh goat milk yogurt if the trip includes a meal at the lovely luxury agriturismo which exhibits local art and jewelry. Views of Benano and the valley between to die for.
3. Country "giro": This is a day trip along windy but mostly paved roads to visit first a farm and taste the fare from "the other famous" goat cheese maker. A short hike is optional to see the panorama that is wild Umbria before arriving at the borgo Titignano for lunch. You will want to linger and explore this hideaway thoroughly, but the road promises a return to Benano by way of the World War II "fallen soldiers" cemetery near Orvieto. A sacred, meticulously maintained and immensely moving yet seldom visited space. Then a short hop to a local's hangout for Italian family color and home-cooked specialties, if your tummy has room.
4. Bolsena and a boat: We travel the short distance to Lake Bolsena and its main town and learn about the miracle of Corpus Domini as well as the Christian martyr, Saint Cristina. We visit her famous church and stroll to the castle area up through the old quarter. We can top off the afternoon with a boat trip on the lake to swim, hear some lore and learn about the archeological treasures beneath the surface. Optional slice of pizza and glass of beer in San Lorenzo on the way back to Benano. This for those who don't wish to limit their stay in the area by dining lakeside. Too much fun for some.
5. Pienza and San Filipo: This jaunt into neighboring Tuscany with its characteristic scenery takes us to Pienza which is known for sheep cheese (pecorino) and the birthplace of Pope Pius II. A leisurely stroll through the town and lunch will be welcome after sightseeing by car. Afterwards we stop at San Filippo where you can bathe in wooded hot springs for free or pay to use the outdoor pool. Spa treatments available should you want to relax to the max. Home before the Italian dinner bell, a stop along the way to buy homegrown vegetables optional.
6. Pizza night: Join Dino and friends for a family pizza dinner. You won't leave Italy without remembering the characters you have met and how much you laughed and ate--pizzas you have never tasted before at home or in a restaurant. Blame yourself for any excess and the fact that you can't sleep having had too much fun, imbibing homemade wine and liquors into the night while repeatedly singing the only Italian song you don't fully know. (Practice all of "O sole mio" before you go.)
Additional information: Pavla[dot]Mactavish[at]gmail[dot]com
