Posted on Sun, Nov. 15, 2009
Heather, Michele, and I have been friends since the first grade - nearly 30 years. We've been through a lot, but except for a weekend in Wildwood after our prom, we never traveled together. In September, though, the time was right for us to get away, clear our heads, gain perspective - mainly, to spend uninterrupted quality time with one another. Also, to eat and drink like crazy. Naturally, we chose France and Italy.
We started in the rolling hills and peaceful vineyards of Provence. We stayed in a farmhouse owned by an Englishman named John, who has lived in France most of his life. Our room overlooked what the French might consider a modest vineyard, but we were in awe of its beauty. Our host prepared breakfast for us each morning, consisting of French-press coffee, croissants, bread, fruit, and cheese. Small sprigs of lavender and sage sat atop our napkins - so simple and perfect.
After we spent a day roaming the countryside, my inner photographer led us to a vineyard, where we touched up our makeup and had a photo shoot that would make Vogue jealous. The sun was close to setting, perfect to capture each of us strolling down the lanes of green vines and nibbling on deep purple grapes. Our day ended on the patio with a dinner of a baguette, Brie, and a bottle of wine, leaving us wondering why we don't simplify like this on a regular basis.
In Cinque Terre, on the northern coast of Italy, we rented a room in Vernazza, above a small restaurant owned by Sicilian brothers Gianluca and Massimo. Each time they saw us, they'd say, "Hello beautifuls," in the most divine broken English imaginable. We dined at their restaurant several times, and they served us Sicilian favorites such as granita (most likely where our water ice came from) and pesto, which the Cinque Terre region is known for. The brothers made us feel like family - if they only knew how rare it is to find that treatment in the States they could make a mint, but my guess is that's not why they do what they do.
The landscape in Cinque Terre is stunning. Though it's a very challenging hike through the mountains from town to town, the views are spectacular and worth the climb. When gazing out at the Mediterranean, we had a hard time determining where the sea ended and the sky began. We didn't care. We just walked along in awe, dripping in sweat and happy as clams.
Michele summed up our trip best when she responded to a funny comment by John with: "I wish I could take a picture of what he just said." I took hundreds of photos on this trip, but I wish I could have taken pictures of the hospitality of the people, the taste of the food, the crispness of the air, and the feeling of creating so many memories with my closest friends.
Suzanne Tenuto lives in the Pennsport section of Philadelphia.
MOST POPULAR PHILLY.COM PHOTOS
Philly.com Promotions
