Piedmont Wedding - Travel Plans

Well, as I reported last week, we are headed to Torino the week of 15-22 September to attend the wedding of Marco's brother Emanuele to Tiziana and the baptism of their son Francesco, who will be one in November. 

We had done some looking into spending a couple of days down in a village on the coast somewhere (maybe the Cinque Terre), and in fact, to fly to Pisa was only about 20 euros more than to take the train to Turin. We really wanted to do so as well, because this almost exactly coincides with our first wedding anniversary, and goodness knows, we need a little vacation.  In the end, though, we decided that even that would be a bit too much of an extravagance given our current situation and the fact that I have not worked full-time since the end of February.

So I am a bit bummed about that, but at the same time, proud of us for taking the responsible decision (I mean, I should not feel so satisfied with ourselves, it's pretty much a no-brainer. But of course the temptation is so great  . . it's just a couple of days . . .just three hotel nights . . and before you know it, you've spent your whole month's wages). 

And in any event, we came up with a good alternative plan.  It won't be to the Ligurian coast, but to the Piedmontese mountains that we'll head.  We got our tickets already for Turin (and it was actually cheaper to travel in first class, so that will be nice to spread ourselves out on the train there and back) and arrive late Monday night.

Then Tuesday, we'll head out south of Turin to stay with some friends of Marco's for a couple of days in their B&B near Pinerolo.  Stefano (known as Steo) was the third of the Marco-Silvio-Stefano traveling trio in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Marco and Steo used to do a lot of climbing together, too.  Steo and Irene came to the wedding (that's a photo of, from L-R, Steo, Marco, and Silvio from the wedding), but that's the only time I've met or seen them, so I'm looking forward to the chance to spend a couple of days with them getting to know them a little better.  They have a B&B called La Draio in Torre Pellice; a simple place that folks normally go to as a base for mountain climbing!  Of course our goals are much less exerting. I figure we'll just relax and eat (a Tuesday morning visit to EATaly will be in order to stock up on provisions!) and play with the kids.  We'll either take the train or borrow Marco's dad's car.

Well, Marco's parents FINALLY got their invitation to the wedding on SATURDAY.  So they are happy and pleased, and Zia Giuseppina (who just came up from Sicily to join them at the beach house in Diamante) will come along for the trip back to Torino in early September.  Hooray Zia Giuseppina!  Love that lady and so happy to get to see her again, as I haven't since our wedding.  The wedding/baptism are in a tiny village called Pian d'Audi that Marco showed me on Google maps. Should be small, simple, and sweet.

Once back in Turin, we'll do whatever needs to be done to help with the wedding preparations, and of course we'll make our own provisioning runs, packing our suitcases full of risotto, dried mushrooms, wine, and whatever else we can lug on the train.  At least there are no weight limits nor cost to check bags there! Just the damage to our own shoulders and backs to consider . . .

Comments

[Cherrye at My Bella Vita]

Sounds like fun! I'd love to hear about those B&Bs. BTW, I met my Italian husband in Paris, too... ahhhh....

[Diana]

YAY!!! You are coming to Piemonte at the best possible time of the year!!! GOOD FOR YOU--- sleep, eat, enjoy -- maybe participate in a grape harvesting or two. In your situation what I would do? Skip buying at Eataly and buy locally in the teeny villages near where you will be -- mostly the stuff is better and cheaper. But whatever you do, rejoice at being able to do it at all!! I am SO HAPPY for you!!

[Kimberly]

Diana -- Thanks, great tip re shopping locally. We'll have to do BOTH! Marco's trusty Gambero Rosso also shows me that there's a good restaurant in Pinerolo, Taverna degli Acaja. The guide mentions Raviolo dal plin, yum. Thanks so much for your note, your enthusiasm is contagious. I'm excited to be coming mid-September, it *does* sound like the perfect time. Thanks so much for stopping by and especially for your warm words. -- Kim