Italy will always have the best food. — Diane von Furstenberg
It started out so simply: Get a few friends together and talk about Abruzzo. Let’s show them pictures of our apartment in Sulmona. And then let’s wow them with some food and wine from the region.
Want to sell Sulmona? Use a shot like this one!
Before you could say benvenuto, Vicky and I had a list of almost 70 people and a menu that would make Massimo feel like he wasn’t doing enough. We sent out an invitation featuring a wonderful shot of La Rotonda through the aqueduct and waited. But not for long. By the week of the event, we had more than 50 people coming.
We showed the “Happy in Sulmona” video. We showed the first episode of Tales from Sulmona, featuring that irascible couple, Tim and Linda Jenkins. And we showed a PowerPoint presentation that Vicky created from my photos. (I wish I could show it to you here, but it practically crashes my ancient computer!)
Who knew that 50 American grown-ups would sit in a room and watch
Our flags from Sulmona
these things, transfixed? That so many of them would be charmed by Abruzzo and our tales of Sulmona? That so many have asked when the next trip will be? We were so pleased. One woman – a friend of a friend of ours – came from Raino, and was thrilled to see her region being marketed!
So . . . there was prosecco and then montepulciano, cerasuolo and trebbiano from the Pietrantonj winery in Vittorito. There was an aperitivo spread that included cheeses, salumi, olives, artichokes, anchovies, crostini, pomodori and mozzarella and so much more that I can’t even remember. There was fusilli with ricotta and spinach and a cannelini dish. There was pasta e fagioli. There was a melanzane dish with anchovy and pepper sauce. Lots of sausages, both sweet and hot, with onions and peppers to accompany. And for dolci, a selection of cookies and tiramisu. And of course, lots of confetti! Afterward, there was limoncello and arancello, made by yours truly.
Linda and Vicky: Happy!
Dolce!
Happiness all around!
We may even do it again for the people who couldn’t come the first time. We never tire of talking about Sulmona, Abruzzo, and our amici . . . and our home away from home.
Buon viaggio!
#putabruzzoonthemap
Linda Dini Jenkins is a card-carrying Italophile, travel planner, freelance writer, and amateur photographer. Travel is her passion, so writing about her travels just comes naturally. She hopes all her travelers find a way to express their joys, surprises, and fears as they travel and gives every traveler a nifty journal to help smooth the way. Learn more…
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