Yes its a bit early but I figure that folks already know if they will be in Italy this summer so may as well get the ball rolling Besides, I'm excited!

I will be in Assisi the week of July 14-21 at my SlowTrav prize of Villa Rosy. And, along with my sister, brother-in-law, and friend Valerie, we will also have as our guests--drumroll-- Queen Pauline and Moderator/husband/Google-mapper extraordinare Steve! So a GTG is definitely in order!

Corinna of San Potente has been so extremely gracious to allow me to host the GTG at Villa Rosy.


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JUNE 15 UPDATE****
We are moving it to later in the day to avoid the heat. We are starting at 4pm and it will be an early dinner instead of lunch. Feel free to arrive earlier - we will all be there from 2pm on.

Corinna will provide the early dinner at a cost of 15 Euro per person (pay Pauline - she is organizing this). We will provide bottled water and Janet and Alan are providing some wine, but if some others could also bring wine, that would be great.

MENU

This may change, but this is an idea of what it will be. There will be vegetarian options.

- different types of bruschettas (with garlic, tomatoes, vegetables...)
- a pasta dish (vegetarian)
- porchetta or prosciutto (cut at the moment) and fresh bread
- roasted vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini....)
- panzanella (a local dish with fresh salad and vegetables from our garden and bread)
- local cheeses with honey and home made jams
- home made cakes and 'crostate'
- coffee
- water

Fragrance-Free Please
As always when Steve and Pauline are coming to a GTG, we ask that it be fragrance-free - no perfumes, aftershaves or other strong smelling things. We are slightly allergic to the chemicals used to create fragrances.

Thanks!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pauline,

Janet I've been an admirer of your photography for some time now (esp that gorgeous book!!), and it's been several years since we've seen Steve and Pauline, so yes! We'd love to come! Please keep us posted! (And I have to add a disclaimer....if our grandson comes to Italy this summer our plans could change!)

Too bad! Margie will be in Montone until the 16th. She comes so rarely nowadays that it is very special.
If nothing changes, I should be able to come.

Janet, thanks for the PM about this as I might have missed it otherwise. Yes, Ken, Casey (?) and I will come--unless something we don't expect happens between now and then. We return to the US on the 29th. This would be a great opportunity to say hellos and goodbyes. What fun to meet you--

Jane

quote:

Yes, Ken, Casey (?) and I will come--unless something we don't expect happens between now and then. We return to the US on the 29th.

Jane, of course Casey is most welcome! We hope you all can come. I wasn't sure when you were returning to the states.

Also, the Thursday date is not "set in stone"--could be Wednesday the 18th--although I'd like to keep it to one of those two dates, to give us time to get things together, and of course we have lots of sight-seeing planned for the week. But if Wednesday seems a better day for some...let's see how people respond.

Sounds fun!
I am going to California for my mom's 80th birthday which is the 4th of July..and then doing some classes in Sonoma... should be back!

I am also doing some summer classes in chianti..
but will keep this date in mind.. I am just setting up the calendar!
( I have been asked to do some woodburing oven classes!)

Janet, thank you so much for keeping me posted. I've been meaning to meet the local Slowtraveler but somehow the season alwys starts and time flies. I'd be delighted to join and provide some local sweets as well. Presently I have no preference for the day of the week.

Great Judy and Letizia!

Just to let everyone know, I've also heard from Alessandra and Giulia da Urbino via PM, and they are also planning to attend if all goes well.

There's not much more to say at this very, very early stage but I'll keep topping this from time to time over the next few months. I just wanted everyone to keep the date in mind.

In the Spring we can plan in earnest!

Thanks for getting this organized Janet! We are looking forward to the GTG (and the week at Villa Rosy)!

And thank for PM me, I ewould have missed it otherwise!

Now that I think about it that is my mom birthday!

PS I secretly hope for early-mid afternoon!

quote:

Now that I think about it that is my mom birthday!

Mom is certainly welcome to come along!

Hi Janet and everyone!

We will be in Italy during these dates. I haven't posted anything definite yet, as I am now playing with our itinerary to make sure we will be able to attend this GTG! We are locked in to our rental for a week in Umbria from July 7-14, and were going from there to Cortona for three days before heading to Chianti. We may make it 4 nights in Cortona if the GTG ends up being on the 18!

I SO look forward to meeting Janet, Giulia, Jane, Ken and Casey, Judith, Barb and Art, Letizia. And of course it will be wonderful to see Judy, Alex, and Pauline and Steve!!!

I will keep checking for the final word on the date, but we will drive from wherever we are, either day!

Palma, did you decide on a place to stay in Cortona? Did you check-out Villa Baldelli? I just loved the villa and can't help being enthusiastic about it and Cortona. We will only be able to make a day trip to Cortona from Florence when we're there at the end of May. I wish it was longer but I don't want to a repeat of last year's trip.

Carole

quote:

I SO look forward to meeting Janet, Giulia, Jane, Ken and Casey, Judith, Barb and Art, Letizia. And of course it will be wonderful to see Judy, Alex, and Pauline and Steve!!!

Hi Palma, same for me, with the added plus that I also am a fanatic of ceramics!

Janet, I don't know if we can make it, but we will certainly try! A Friday or Saturday would be best for us, because of that pesky 4-letter word "work," but we'll do our best to join you all whatever day is chosen. I think Palma said it best:

quote:

I SO look forward to meeting Janet, Giulia, Jane, Ken and Casey, Judith, Barb and Art, Letizia. And of course it will be wonderful to see Judy, Alex, and Pauline and Steve!!!

If at all possible, we will be there, too! And if you like, we can bring the real mozzarella di bufala...

quote:

Originally posted by KimC:
And if you like, we can bring the real mozzarella di bufala...

yes please, yes please, yes please!!!!! When we had a GTG in Perugia back in Sept 2005 Dora brought fresh mozzarella from Naples and it was sooooooooo good! I for one would be more than willing to chip in!

ohh lala,real mozzarella di bufala sounds yummy (is that a water buffalo dancin'?)

Unfortunately, I think we are going to have to keep the day as either Wednesday or Thursday, as we are only in the villa Sat-Sat, and I don't want to have the GTG on our last day (as we'll need to clean up, and pack to leave, etc.) So I hope that you will be able to make it!

Ciao a tutti!

I am very excited about this GTG and I am looking forward to meeting you ALL here in Umbria!

Some days ago I called Anne Robichaud for a guided tour for some of our guests and since I know Pauline has published some of her essays, I told her about this GTG.
Well...she would love to come, if she is in town! I am sure she will be welcome!

Ciao
Corinna

P.S. for KimC ---> mozzarella di bufala!!!

You know, I keep reading this thread, thinking so near and yet so far.
We will actually be in Italy that week, but we will be in Piemonte (at the Baur B&B) that week, but somehow I just don't think this is a day trip
So near, but yet so far,

Marcia

Marcia!

Piemonte <--> Umbria is definitely not a day trip, but I am sure you will have a great week at Diana's B&B! and you will drink so many good wines over there!

Ciao
Corinna

quote:

Posted by Janet: ...we are only in the villa Sat-Sat, and I don't want to have the GTG on our last day (as we'll need to clean up, and pack to leave, etc.) So I hope that you will be able to make it!

What, you couldn't extend your stay a week??? Thanks, Janet, we will do our darndest to be there once you've set a date, but you know how it is with that pesky "work" thing... Whatever happens, I'm sure your July trip and GTG will be fabulous!

Barb and Art and Corinna - if we can't make this Umbria GTG for July, we'll just have to schedule another one sometime, so we have an excuse to tote some mozzarella north!

quote:

Originally posted by KimC:

Barb and Art and Corinna - if we can't make this Umbria GTG for July, we'll just have to schedule another one sometime, so we have an excuse to tote some mozzarella north!

Count me in!

Corinna

quote:

I called Anne Robichaud for a guided tour for some of our guests and since I know Pauline has published some of her essays, I told her about this GTG.
Well...she would love to come, if she is in town! I am sure she will be welcome!

Absolutely, the more the merrier (Besides, Corinna, it is YOUR house after all!!! We are the guests, lol.)

Marcia, sorry you can't make it but I am a little jealous that you will be in Piedmonte -- we'd hoped to get there this trip, but will have to save it for another time.