Summer 2011 – Italy – Revolutionary Journey

Welcome to Ripertoli

Italy has been on our list of places to visit for many years, though it became a reality the Summer of 2011. My sister Pat had recently been given a clean bill of health after spending a good part of the last 18 months battling some health issues. I always knew she would would win that battle from the start, as she’s just one of those people that you just can’t keep down. I am fortunate to have her as a younger sister and best friend. In addition to being very bright, world respected in the Procurement industry, a woman that broke the glass ceiling of corporate America, she is as tough as they come. I know, more than most, that under that tough persona most people see there lies one of the most generous people I know. I wish everyone could have an Aunt Pat!

Having completed her extensive treatments and getting a clean bill of health she decided to rent a Villa in Tuscany, Italy so her friends and family could all celebrate her victory and new life disease free! Pat had been to this magical place called Ripertoli before and invited us then as well, though we were just too busy in those earlier years to go. So, in the Summer of 2011 we decided it was a must, to make the time to be with family, old & new friends and of course our Aunt Pat!

The Butcher of Panzano & Aunt Pat

Sean & I had a work commitment in the early part of July in Pennsylvania so Caitlin & Joanne left about 4 days before us on the trip. Since we both had stops in the UK on the way to Florence,Italy -Caitlin & Joanne decided to stay an extra day in London so Caitlin could interview and attempt to find housing for her Fall 2011 Grad School start in London that coming Fall. Well, that’s another long story, though in a nutshell, Caitlin’s interview turned into a job as a dorm director for study abroad students attending another University. That interview probably saved her over 30K over the next 18 months in housing costs and expenses while in Grad School at Sotheby’s. She literally lived in a 4 story building/flat in the Kensington area about 1 block from Chelsea Stadium. Talk about serendipitous and fortunate. Everything happens for a reason, though who would of ever thought that a trip to Italy would have saved her so much money in the future!

After Caitlin & Joanne arrived in Italy I only received one correspondence before Sean and I departed to meet them in Ripertoli. That email said, “we’re having so much fun already in Italy enjoying the wine, family and friends. Please bring more spending money… (What were we in store for?) Our path was the same as Caitlin & Joanne. Fly from JKF to Heathrow, take a bus to Gatwick, and then board another jet to Florence. Although Sean and I were exhausted after having pulled a few work all-nighters before our departure when we arrived at Gatwick airport we found time for Dad to buy his son his first legal beer

Florence

in a pub. While Sean wasn’t legal to drink in the states yet, he was legal in the UK and it seemed a fitting moment for a Dad/Son right of passage. (His first pint!) Needless to say this couple beverages after those all-nighters and then the travel nearly caught up with us as we fell asleep on each others shoulders (only a little drool was found) and nearly missed our flight out to Florence.

Joanne & Caitlin met us at the airport and we soon were on our way to Ripertoli Villa in the mountain of Tuscany. Arriving late we saw a pile of empty wine bottles in the garbage outside and realized we were in for a very fun couple of weeks. The villa, views, property, pool , and surrounding towns were magical to say the least!

While Ripertoli served as our home for those 2 weeks we made sure we used our rental car to the max in our time in Italy. Visits to Greve, Siena, Venice, Rome, Florence, Pisa, Milan, Radda, Panzano, were all incredible. We ate, drank, took pictures, toured churches, Duomo’s, museums, open air markets, and had gelato everyday! So many of the places in Italy have so much history that a blog can’t do it justice. The laughs and memories we still talk about when ever we get together: Who could ever

Venice

forget the barking deer at Ripertoli or the Wild Boar that snuck up on me one night when we arrived late from a day trip. St. Marks Basilica in Venice and Rialto Bridge, The “David” in Florence and the Uffizzi visit with Cait, St.Peter’s in Rome, along with the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and ” the Pantheon”. And that view, that VIEW from our 25′ marble table out the back of Ripertol where we ate and drank late into many night’s. A view of the countryside that would take anyone’s breath away.

Italy was all we hoped it would be and more. The people, history, food, and wine can’t be overstated. This country will definitely be a place we will want to visit again some day.

Thanks again Aunt Pat!