Ciao from Italy! I returned yesterday afternoon from a weekend in the mountainside. The region I hiked and ate in was Abruzzo, and it was the epitome of picturesque. I was there Friday through Sunday, and all three days consisted of hiking through the Valle Roveto, and eating in Civita d’Antino. The historic town is well known to be the town of Danish painter Kristian Zahrtmann. The first night, after our short hike, we had a wine cheese tasting at Osteria Zahrtmann where mayor of the town came to welcome us to the quaint town, followed by a musical performance and an art exhibit of Zahrtmann prints in a local museum. While we perused the prints, we had the opportunity to listen to a trio of a loca trio play Italian swing music. After the art and music, we retreated back to the restaurant for a meal that consisted of only locally grown products made into a bean and noodle soup along with a rack of lamb. It was delicious. The second day of hiking was challenging, but also rewarding because we had the most amazing dinner afterwards, back at Osteria Zahrtmann, accompanied by a demonstration on how to marinate the chicken and prepare the gnocchi noodles. The next day was another hike with a tasty lunch of pasta and roast before we left to travel back to Rome. I am completely exhausted from the hiking, and looking at these pictures make my legs a little weary, but it was for the best. The Italian countryside is seriously luxe.
All photos by Tim Schroeder for Standard Luxe
