Pisa, Italy.
I’ve booked a superb airbnb, two floors of space located centrally. A tiny airport is a mere 5 miles to the hub, a selection of busy streets and shops filled for the most part with places for food and drink. A trattoria (family-run and traditional) here – an osteria there (cheap, unassuming, communal) there. A Rosticceria (pre-cook meals like roasted meats) here – a Pescheria there (seafood). And so on. They love to wine and dine! Two days + nights of reconnecting, partying, exploration, and a little practice for the wedding. Gorgeous runs along the Arno river to some playgrounds for training, mosquitos are active in Italy! Revel in the leaning tower, regal in all its splendour, what special company to be hungover with and feast on such historic delights.
Chianti, Italy.
Two nights of wedding festivities. Paddy and Claire have organised a stunning space. We are shacked up with cousin Alex Cousens (confusing I know) who runs a gallery. Pool party the first day, after a little snooze, followed by dinner with the squad which we squeeze onto slightly illegally (sorry and thank you gazebo). Sizzling afterparty which we get told off for, absolutely wunderbar festivities including having a sing song in the church plus with Claire’s dad! Andrew and Elaine in fine form, such an honour to hand the padman over, fun coffee themed speech from him and a delightful roasting from best man Lower.
London.
El studente is unwell for his exam, but should do well regardless. I am also invited to a VCA dinner with Operator featuring their latest work, the Unknown Sitter. I bond with Lord Truffington and Emma (a performance artist who isn’t allowed to speak) as well as fil, micol, ania and dejha. Excellent couple days of training and vegetables before we go back to Italia!
Firenze, Italy.
Rapunzel has the flu! What a trooper soldiering on as we ride our luck, lost passports and phones left on trains are all remembered/recovered somehow. Gorgeous apartment, and adventures, especially morning cappuccinos and the piazza del michelangelo. Deep conversations, and excellent Jazz on a raucous adventure night meeting Amanda and Cornelius. Their scene is spectacular, outrageous talent. It’s fun just walking around, so deep is this place steep in the arts, terrible food in the piazza though!!
Cinque Terre, Italy.
Five coastal towns along a gorgeous stretch of Italian coast, delightful weather, and stunning views atop the mountain overlooking the kingdom. Perhaps my favourite meal in Italy at Ristorante L'Ancora della Tortuga after a day on the beach at Monterosso. Regret not taking a pesto class, or walking across the five cities. Vernazza is the most heart stoppingly gorgeous, colourful, and picturesque with sizzling fresh anchovy calamari snacks and alcoves. Italians rarely check train tickets, but the one time they do we are rewarded for our civility. Riomaggiore, Corniglia (lots of stairs), and Manarola round up the squad.
Verona, Italy
Hosted by the inimitable Alessandra, who I have stayed with in the past, on a stunning cliff overlooking the city. One of my favourite Italian cities: replete with forestry, interspersed with glorious architecture and fascinating history. Two highlights have to be a bike tour with Isabelle and the funk band night with Rodillo. By day the history of the city as a hub of trade is revealed, hidden ladder motifs (remnants of the scala family) are made apparent as well as the legend of Dante Alighieri (peasant immigrant turned poet, writer and philosopher). By night the mosquitos are plentiful, but harmless, and the city buzzes from the arena to the banks of the adige.
Venice, Italy
Oscar sadly cannot be there, but the Italian adventure continues. Learning more about the infamous Murano glass has to be a highlight, especially the tour with David around the Franco Schiavon gallery learning of incredible artists like Alexis Sell and Dario Frare. It literally takes a lifetime to become a master (average age 60). Phenomenal craftsmanship. Vegetables are hard to find. The tour with our Ukrainian Venetian guide is also a highlight, we end up in the student area Campo Santa Margherita. Gallerie dell'Accademia is OK, not sure how much these classic pieces move me, more context needed. Bistro De Venise is the outstanding culinary experience of dreams!
