Italy Archives - Kangaroos & Kimonos

Travel Tips – Make a Local Friend

June 20, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Make a local friend in the area you will be staying. Use sites like Couchsurfing.org to find local residents who enjoy playing tour guide in their hometown or just meeting a new friend for coffee. I once met a young lady (Cristina) from Italy through Couchsurfing. She was staying in Annapolis for a month or two as her husband was working and she joined him on the trip. She couldn’t work, had no car and had all day, everyday, to herself.

Cristina trying her first cheesesteak in Philly

She contacted me and asked if I wanted to meet for coffee. I was fairly flexible with my schedule at the time and we ended up spending LOTS of time together. She was just like me, a world traveler who loves meeting people and experiencing cultures. I gave her the personal tour, had them for meals, taught her how to make apple pie, took her to Philly for an overnight, etc. We really had the best time together!

She invited me to come to her town in the Piemonte region and so we did! See my blog “Red, Red, Wine” for more about our trip to “surf” with her.

Red, Red, Wine

June 19, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

If you read my blog “Travel Tips – Make a Local Friend”, you know that I met a lady from Italy (Cristina). Her husband was working on the Naval Academy for more than a month and she knew no one. We met online and spent many great days together, becoming good friends.

Laurie & Cristina in Alba

She invited me to come to her town in the Piemonte region and so we did! My husband and I flew into Torino, Italy (Turin) and Cristina picked us up. She actually lives in a tiny village called Diano d’Alba. The next 3 weeks were like a movie. My husband and I stayed in her 300-year old family wine-making house, overlooking the vineyards of Nebbiolo wines. We met the parents and brothers, went to parties, learned how to make gnocchi and tiramisu. The dad had a salumeria (meat store) and everyday we had fresh prosciutto. Oh my! They offered us the master bedroom – where we threw open the shutters to amazing views of the countryside.

Cristina & a friend teaching us how to make gnocchi in Italy

Cristina is a wine writer so she gave us tours of all the local vineyards – Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, etc. She even took us to a private vintage party with a famous chef. We brought home lots of good wine that trip. (Another good reason to pack light.)

Laurie & Cristina in Torino

It really is the greatest trip we have ever had (and I have been on many). It cost us very little because we stayed with friends, we mostly ate at home with them, we borrowed their car, and had priceless experiences we never would have had being in a hotel.

My farewell dinner with the family in Alba

We stay in touch on Facebook and Skype. I really miss them and hope to go back soon with Ellie.

Grazie 🙂 Cristina y Lorenzo!

Loving it in Verona

May 13, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Andrea and Katie playing guitar

On the same trip to Croatia we first went to Italy. I had never been to Verona, so I thought I would plan a trip there and then an easy stop in Venice. We were met at the Verona station by our host Andrea. He was as fabulous as his emails led me to believe. We all crammed in his little European car and went directly to his flat in the center of town. It was perfect, a guest room for two and a sofabed as well.

Andrea and Laurie enjoying Iocal cuisine

Andrea and Laurie enjoying local cuisine

We had great times, jam sessions on his guitar, friends over for a dinner party, and time getting to know our wonderful new friend. He and my stepdaughter got along swimmingly (he is a counselor for kids). We easily hopped on a bus from the station near his house and had wonderful day trips to all the little towns around Lake Garda. I had never heard of it – after all my trips to Italy over the years. Every town more beautiful than the last, with amazing views and crystal swimming waters of the lake. We even happened upon an air show and my husband was a pilot with the US Marines. We ended up meeting the pilots and getting a photo op.

Enjoying dinner with new friends

Andrea’s flat was perfectly located to venture into town. Verona is the “home of Romeo and Juliet” and has much history and culture to explore. Between our host being SO WONDERFUL and the area being perfect, we really didn’t want to leave.

Overlooking beautiful lake Garda

I keep chatting with Andrea on Facebook and insisting that he come visit soon. I miss my friend.

Enjoying Lake Garda