Month
October 2025
The views from the top of Monte Baldo are stunning. We walked the ridgeline out-and-back for about a mile round trip taking in the views and watching the paragliders. #travel
Posted on October 2, 2025
This morning we took a series of cable cars from Malcesine (elevation 230 feet) to the top of Monte Baldo (elevation 5800 feet). The second cable car rotates 360° so that everyone can enjoy the view no matter which way you face. #travel
Posted on October 2, 2025
Malcesine is beautiful once you get out of the touristy city center. We’re staying in Hotel Val di Sogno. It’s a little bit of a hike from the docks to the hotel 1.5 miles) but we were able to take a lakeside walking path the whole way, and took in the views. Our room has a small balcony overlooking a bay that’s filled with moored boats. #travel
Posted on October 2, 2025
This morning Heather and I left the group, striking out on our own. We drove to Milan and caught the train to Desenzano on the South shore of Lake Garda. After a quick pizza lunch, we boarded a boat for the two hour ferry ride to Malcesine on the Northeast shore of the lake. I’m onboard the ferry right now, but once we arrive in Malcesine, we’ll be using it as our base for next few days. #travel #food
Posted on October 1, 2025
We finished the night with dinner at Osteria Della Aie in Castagnito. Osteria Della Aie was fun because they go out of their way to be a “locals” restaurant. I don’t even think they have a website. Their menu changes often, is delivered orally, and every ingredient and wine in the restaurant comes from Langhe. Every meal includes wine, and every bottle in the house is a magnum (1.5 L). Bottles are left on your table to pour as you wish. And the food was amazing. #travel #food #wine
Posted on October 1, 2025
Next, we took a tour of Langhe with stops in Serralunga and Barolo. The landscapes are amazing. In Barolo, Heather and I each bought a glass of wine at the Borgogno tasting room, and enjoyed our drinks from their rooftop terrace. #travel #wine
Posted on October 1, 2025
After they finished processing the grapes, Paolo gave the group a tour of Demarie winery, followed by a four course lunch (prepared by Paolo’s wife Monica), where we got to taste eight Demarie wines: Arneis (crisp white), Sebnia Arneis (orange), Roero Riserva (Nebbiolo, aged in Botti), Valmaggiore Roero Riserva (Nebbiolo aged in barrique), Barbaresco, Barbaresco Riserva, Barolo, and Barolo Riserva. #travel #food #wine
Posted on October 1, 2025
The next day (September 30), the tour group visited Demarie winery, where winemaker Paolo gave us a tour. It’s harvest time, and we arrived at the same time as a load of Nebbiolo grapes from their vineyard. Paolo’s brother Aldo was transferring the grapes from a hopper to a crusher/destemmer in preparation for fermentation. #travel #wine
