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Venice is refreshed….

It is Wednesday in Venice and when I awoke at 7:30 I could hear the sprinkling of rain on the window.  The Hotel Monaco provides a continental breakfast like none in the US.  The tray was delivered with my selection of cappuccino,  a basket of breads, including fresh croissants, two type of muffins and small…

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Sunday…in the holiest of cities

15 The PrayerA page from my personal journal dated June 13th, 2010. The apartment in Roma, located just steps from the piazza, was a second floor walk up with three fairly large bedrooms, a living room, two kitchens, a beautiful outdoor garden terrace, nicely appointed.  The third floor had a bathroom complete with bidet and…

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An Arezzo adventure…

A page from my personal journal dated Thursday, June 10th, 2010 It is already Thursday and our one totally free day here at Casa Ombuto. Awoke a bit later this morning for no particular reason other than…..I could!  Showered and readied for our adventure with Kelly and Elizabeth, who were waiting in the cantina eating…

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Kelly and I with our favorite dish….Paella

A page from my personal journal dated  Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 Here it is Wednesday already. We had two intense cooking classes today and spent the entire day here at lovely Casa Ombuto. We are also really getting to know and love our chef Laura Giusti.  Laura is a wonderfully knowledgable and professional chef. She…

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Preparing for the Jaust…Arezzo, wine tasting at Villa La Ripa..olive oil and cheese farm

An entry from my journal dated June 8th, 2010 We spent a complete day away from our Casa Ombuto home today.  After a healthy breakfast we loaded onto a small tour bus arranged by Casa Ombuto’s Manager,Barbara and headed toward the medieval town of Arezzo, about a half hour drive.  It was cool enough for…