Mario’s Tour of Southern Italy - May 2017

Barb & I felt the trip was beyond our wildest expectations.



TUESDAY, MAY 2 nd
10 AM Cleveland/Toronto departure on time although a later Cleveland security issued delayed flights in the afternoon.
Long layover at Toronto Peason International Airport accommodated a long lunch (with Bloody Marys and a bottle of pinot) at the Sheraton Mahogany Grill. Then hosted at Air France lounge with champagne - on time departure (~ 6 PM) from Toronto to Paris … great seats with dinner, whiskey and finally a morning breakfast.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3 RD
On time Paris to Naples flight where Cosimo meets us for a drive to rendezvous with the group in Capaccio/Paestum area.
Early afternoon visit at San Salvatore (1), an organic farm and winery. Multi wine tastings with cheese, meats and breads resulting in 6 bottles of red & white wine purchased and mailed home. Checked in at the Savoy Beach Hotel and toured the Paestum temples and ruins (see pics). Dinner at Athena with interesting crunchy fish – Mario arranges all. Left the group early to crash! Buna Notte
(1) 270 acre organic farm with 450 head of cattle and 58 acres dedicated to the vineyard.

THURSDAY, MAY 4 TH
8:15 AM wake up for hotel breakfast – late to bus!
Travel south of Paestum for a climb to and through Palazzo Baronale – S. Severino (see pics). Then on to Capso Palinuro for a coastal boat tour with a fabulous beach stop. Return for a four course lunch on the patio of Dahiano Catia all located on the tip of the Campania. Followed with a Tres Oliv hotel dinner – 6 courses with four different complementing wines … a little wine nightcap in the room.

FRIDAY, MAY 5 TH
After a three mile morning beach walk, we depart for Laurino, a 1200 AD village. On the way, a stop at Cantino Riggo, a small (40 acre) farm growing olives, various fruits, grapes, etc. and after some wine tastings purchased three bottles for the Convent. With the beautiful sunny weather continuing, we check into the Convent and enjoyed lunch at S. Antonio Ristorante/Pizzeria.
Zip lined with Mario, Dale, Chris, Eddie and Barb!!!! Then toured the Duke’s Palace along within the city of Laurino. Dinner back at S. Antonio with late evening Convent night caps in its center court yard.

SATURDAY, MAY 6 TH
Another great weather day which started with a Convent tour (bell tower & cathedral). Met Mario’s brothers – The General, Pepe and, brother-in- law, Antonio along with Mario’s best friend – Marchello to hike in Cilento Park. Lunch at Rifugio dei Briganti – 7 courses (roasted peppers, dandelion hearts, eggplant, arugula salad, meats from the grill and cake laced with liquors. Lots of wine, lemoncello and grappa. Not sure how Marcello drove us back to Laurino??
Finished the day at Rainbow Pub for a cooking class and dinner.

SUNDAY, MAY 7 TH
Walked the city with Barb, then Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore. At the end of the services, the priest recognizies “Mario’s Americanos”. Finished with a church tour.
Lunch at Mario’s house hosted by his sister, brother-in- law and Marchello (again, many courses with Chris’s favorite entrée served plus lots of wine, lemoncello, etc.) One hour nap, then off to pizza class at La Rupe (1) with Chef Alfonso Filizzola and his son Mario … pizza, salad, dessert and beer. (1) Brick oven – Neopalitan pizza and calzone

MONDAY, MAY 8 TH
Early walk/run in Laurino then coffee and breakfast at the Convent. Pack for departure to Vietri/Salerno – the most scenic part of the Amalfi Coast. Two hour bus trip with a coffee/gelato stop.
Toured the Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Trinity – a 11 th century cathedral which was reconstructed in the 18 th century. Arrive Vietri with lunch at Perrella Ristorante Pizzeria, then shopping after checking in the Baia Hotel – all ocean front rooms! Dinner at Perrella Ristorante again.

TUESDAY, MAY 9 TH
AM walk in Vietri with Barb – lots of beach glass with great hotel breakfast. Bus departure – Positano, Amalfi (with1400 century duomo) plus a lite lunch and Ravello (toured Villa Rufolo and its romantic gardens). Unbelievable views.
Hotel cocktails with the group, then off to Chris M.’s find – Il Principe la Civetta for dinner.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 TH
Beautiful day for a Pompei tour with Peroni beers for lunch. Back to hotel for gin and tonics on the terrace. Then full moon dinner with the group (Perrella Pizzeria).

THURSDAY, MAY 11 TH
Travel to Rome with Chris and Eddie – bullet train with champagne. Taxi to Hotel Borgognoni (finally a room with a full size bath/shower). Met Chris/Eddie to tour their apartment followed with lunch at la Carbonara and a Colosseum tour. First Uber ride back to hotel for nap. 9 PM Trevi Fountain tour and late dinner.

FRIDAY, MAY 12 TH
8 AM Vatican tour (3 hours) including Sistine Chapel and St. Peters. Then a stop for gelato and beer.
Cab to Spanish Steps and high end shopping (Tiffany et al). Met Chris and Eddie for beers at roof top bar with more shopping – got my Ferragamo tie. Then back to Hotel Borgognoni for Black Manhattans with Chris and Eddie – early bed time!

SATURDAY, MAY 13 TH
6 AM wake up! Hotel breakfast and taxi to airport Air France hospitality for more coffee, then off to Paris / Toronto ― all connections on time.
Arrivederci Roma!!!

Great job my friend!!

Steve and Barb