Where the Monferrato gently gives over to the Langhe, San Stefano Belbo sits peacefully, gently, waiting for you to come and walk, to take in the gentle landscapes, the lovely cobblestone streets, and the local hospitality. Climb above the town and experience some of the most breathtaking views you can imagine: the Alps, the Nebbiolo vines, the perched ancient villages. Breathe in fresh mountain air, the crisp smells of fall.
Our area of Italy does not offer grandiose tourism bon bons. It is for people who are searching for something far more subtle and sublime -- and for those things, it delivers grandly.
We come home after an afternoon in San Stefano, light the wood burning stove, feed the dog, make some soup. We feel refreshed, tired, fortunate.
8 comments:
It looks absolutely glorious, I love that bracing mountain air. Beautiful photographs, makes me want to put on my walking boots right now!
Okay, I'm sufficiently jealous!
Glorious is the exact word to describe the photos as well as the experience of a random, lovely afternoon out--it's a very Anne Shirley kind of adjective, and only reserved for places where the local towns and nature can truly do it justice. I swear, being in that mountain air is such a natural invigorator, and I live in the land that attracts the leaf-peepers.
It's the seemingly insigificant that tends to stay with you, whether it's a quiet excurison to a neighboring town, a drive around a giant rock and staring up through the sunroof to view the foliage, or the peace that can settle upon you when you can look up at night and the view not belittled by light pollution.
That said, we also had soup here--I found this traditional Greek recipe for an orzo, lemon and egg soup and made it alongside a focaccia dressed with sage and tarragon (which is quickly eclipsing rosemary as my favorite herb). I was very pleased, as I made everything tonight. What soup did you have?
Beautiful photos Diana... I especially like the one of the vines with the mountains faintly in the background. There's snow here in WC, I'm sure you know... So it's nice to imagine sitting in the sunshine on your warm terrace high up on your mountain.
Thank you ladies for the lovely comments. Elizabeth, I made lentil soup with cotechino, a traditional sausage from this area which is made this time of year. A loaf of multi-grain bread fortified with carrots and sun flower seeds, and a rucola salad.
Oh I miss Italy, just came back from a holiday...we were in Colletta in Liguria, lots of mountains, lots of walks, and sunshine..:-)
I have added you to my Italian blog roll :-)
I've been so negligent, lurking and not commenting!! I loved these photos and the crisp fall air. Can't believe what you're facing now in comparison!!!! You can just feel the freshness and crispness in the air in these photos, the long shadows.
Who would believe this is earlier this week?!?!
I miss fall already.
Post a Comment