| 06/03/09 |
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Italy and the words “dream vacation” are inextricably linked for me. My first visit to Italy was in 1999. I fell in love with the country, the people, the food, the wine and culture. What’s not to love? Highlights from that trip included a day wandering the Roman Forum, a visit to the Pantheon, and two unforgettable side trips: one to the Umbrian hilltop town of Orvieto, and the other to Byzantium’s outpost on the Adriatic, Ravenna, with all its dazzling mosaics.
Ten years later, we wanted to experience a different side of Italy—something slower paced, more restorative—something with a base in the hills outside the city, but still close enough and connected to Rome for us to be able to hop on a bus or train and head there, or north to Orvieto, if we pleased.
Through an online search of hilltop towns in Lazio, we came across a picture of Casperia. There was just something about it that grabbed our attention and captured our imagination. The more pictures we saw and the more we read about the town we realized that “this is the place”.
At first we considered staying in a bed and breakfast, but we discovered the website for “Il Sogno” and opted for a house rental. We are sure glad we did.
The photos on the website can only hint at the character and charm of the Phillips’ house. The moment we came through the door we were in love with the place. For one glorious week in April Il Sogno was our home away from home.
We love cooking, so we used the kitchen a lot at Il Sogno. The little alimentari outside the walls had everything we needed, from the delicious local campagnolo cheese, to a good selection of local wines, prosecco, and even grappa. There is a butcher shop and great little pasticceria at the gate as well. We highly recommend treating yourself to a weekend meal at the nearby agriturismo, Gusto Al Borgo.
From Farfa Abbey to the winding streets of Roccantica to the Archeological Museum in Magliano Sabina, you’ll love exploring the backroads of the Sabine Hills. Orvieto and the delights of Umbria is little more than an hour’s drive away. We found that, in Casperia, every day trip departure had a promise of adventure that was always amply rewarded. But equally rewarding was our down time at Il Sogno.
Just inside the city gate, situated on a picturesque little piazza with a beautiful view of the surrounding Sabine countryside is the Friends Bar. It’s a great place for your morning brioche and cappuccino, but this is also going to be where you’ll want to watch a sunset and toast your good fortune with a Negroni. We availed ourselves of that happy opportunity many a time as we dreamed of the day we would be coming back again. |
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James Johnstone, Vancouver, BC
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