Chapter 18 - Lucky Friday 13th - North from Venice to the Piedmont

A Lazy Last Morning in Venice

With our train to Milan not leaving until nearly noon, we decided to unwind a bit near the hotel and try to find some takeaway food for lunch across the main canal near the train station - pure wandering, something we usually don't do much of!

"Near the train station" is Tourist Central - OMG - not leather, like Florence, but junk glass and amazing masks! The children on the street were drawn to the masks like candy!

After finding a decent bakery for some sandwiches, we headed back to the saner side of the canal near our hotel and poked around a bit.

We took a different route back and looked around an artist's studio. This was the sign in front one of art works looking like another window on the wall.

And we spied a charming window arrangement of metal, wood, curtains, flowers and stonework that just screamed "Italy"!

Finally, as we went to our room to pack, we peaked into the garden across the plaza and spied a fitting pink goodbye to sometimes outrageous Venice.

Piedmont and La Morra Arrival

It was nearly 3 hours by train to Milan and then another 2 hours to our anchor spot in Piedmont wine country, La Morra. We quickly noticed the distinct difference from Tuscany, much more rolling hills with towns spilling over than steep slopes.

We arrived at our small hotel, Corte Gondina, and fell in love immediately. Our room overlooked a garden, with a pool just beyond - in early May, a bit too cool to swim :(

Inside was just cozy and charming. This is the sitting area.

It was still afternoon, so we decided to see the center of town, just a few blocks away. The streets go up to the church and viewpoint on top of the hill - all very Italy typical.

Well, perhaps except for this garage door. We wanted to take it home - not sure you can get this at Home Depot!

We also passed a funky playground, very modernist!

We made it up to the viewpoint. But some other folks got there first. They never even knew we were there...

It must have been the view...

Our First Piedmont Dinner

We took a short cab ride down the hill to a charming restaurant, L'Osteria del Vignaiolo, tucked in near a small church and surrounded by vineyards. As the sun was setting, the meal became a dance of delicious dishes and running outside to take pictures in between. Unfortunately, we forgot to note what all the dishes were, so the pics will have to do.

These were the appetizers--a canape with tongue and veal tonnato.

 Then, it was time to run out and catch the sunset, just across the road.

Asparagus risotto was next.

Here is our main course - a wonderful beef dish.

Having split everything and with it all being scrumptious...we ordered a dessert to share--panna cotta.

UMMMM. But, with typical unexpected Italian hospitality, we were then brought more!

We had to stash some to take back to our room!

By the time we left, it was night and the little church behind the restaurant was posing.

With our few hours of introduction, we were even more excited about the coming days of Piedmont wine tasting.