Two weeks in Italy.

[Puros Y Vino]

Just came back from Italy. It was my first trip since the Pandemic.  My last trip prior was Italy in July of 2019.  My uncle had been asking me to come over for well over a year.  I finally sucked it up and booked the trip. Although he's in great shape at 85, he's not getting any younger.  So, the sooner the better. My older brother who was born there, was supposed to come as well, but he screwed up on his Passport renewal and had to bow out.

My plan was to go for two weeks. Spend some of it Rome as bookend dates with the majority of the trip being spent up north in Bolzano, where my Uncle and several cousins live.  This was not a "cigar trip" per se, but it had some great cigar moments.    Including me reneging on a personal promise to not buy a jar of RA Noella's.  Which by fluke, were actually released and in shops early on in my stay.  I did get a lot of time with family there which I will cherish for a long time.  It was also great for me to flex my Italian speaking skills. It's been a while since I had to use it on a daily basis.  Apparently I speak the dialect from my parents' town in Calabria, but my accent reveals that I am not a local.  Oh well, at least I understood and was understood. 

Here's some cigar highlights.

Got to my Hotel by 1PM the first day.  I packed up and walked down to the Collosseum with a LESF to kick things off. 

Later in the day, I fired up a Mantua while sitting on a cafe near the Pantheon.  Some of you may know it. Renzio's. They have a decent selection of Cubans there.

Next day I head up to Bolzano via Frecciarossa (bullet train).   It hit at least 250km/hr on the way up.  I went for a walk with my Uncle through the city with an LGC Invictos.

My cousin and her husband arranged several day trips and booked time off to take me around.  On one trip we visited Lake Garda which is stunning and hit a few towns while there. Many whose names I already forgot, except our last stop in Bardolino.  I fired up a LEDJ, post coffee and croissant.

Back in Bolzano, I went to my Uncle's favourite bar for an Aperol Spritz (very addictive) and treated myself to a 1988 Diplomaticos No 7.

At the local B&M in Bolzano. I picked up 7 Bolivar Petite Coronas, which I've never smoked and enjoyed four of them there and gifted my cousin's son, who partakes now and then, two.  Great smokes which I somehow passed by all these years.

On a second visit to the B&M I caved and bought a jar of RA Noellas. Having seen the post on FOH announcing their immediate availability, I justified a purchase as a souvenir of my trip.   Dishing out 500E hurts, but it was kinda nice to see just 500 being rung up on the register. Unlike Canada, where they add more tax on top of the already egregious taxes added on top to get the "retail price"

Another Mantua on a walk with my Uncle by the river.   The previous day my cousin took me to a few more small towns.  It was an overcast day calling for showers, so I decided not to bring any cigars. And sure enough, one of our stops was Mantova (aka Mantua).  Sigh...an opportunity missed. 

Back in Rome now for 3 days before I head home. My 2 star hotel had a nice rooftop patio. I grabbed my last LESF and a Peroni to chill out.

At Fumicino airport. Duty Free was pathetic. Lots of Italian cigars and some NC's.  The only Cubans were minis, clubs and puritos.

Overall, an awesome trip. Might do it again next Spring or Summer if my brother figures out his passport. 

 

[BrightonCorgi]

Did you get a chance to smoke any cigars?

[joeypots]

Man, what a trip. Italy and great cigars. Lots of both. Well done!

 

[mprach024]

5 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

my parents' town in Calabria

This is where my mothers parents are from.  Small world, I’ve yet to visit but will do someday.

[joncat]

Well done Frank. I just came from 3 1/2 weeks touring the south of Italy with 5 of my children. It was the trip of a lifetime. I'm looking forward to going back next summer. Without the kids this time.

[SMELTZ]

Very nice trip and glad you were able to spend so much time with your family.  I will be heading to Venice in July where my wife's from visiting my new relatives by marriage.  I look forward to visiting both the North and the South of Italy. Great photos. Aperol Spritz, here I come!

 

[El Presidente]

Beautiful Frank! 

Experiences is living! 

[Connoisseur Kim]

What a great trip @Puros Y Vino! I wish I have a RA Noella jar, since I'm a huge fan of skinny CCs 🙂.

[Mr. Japan]

Glad you had a good time, next trip if you have chance stop over in Campania region, you will be always welcome for a good smoke.

[Squarehead]

What a great report Frank

[OrangePaw]

Looked like a great time, thanks for sharing with us!

[Thirds]

Incredible trip.  I land in 7 hours and will be seeking out the RA release.  Your trip was inspiring.  

[BoxPSI_ed]

Awesome trip! I will be leaving for Rome then Bologna next Wednesday with the wife to visit her relatives. I can’t wait, it’s been 8 years since I have been to a Italy. I will definitely check out Renzio’s. 

[BossHogg]

Beautiful trip and great pics!

[stogieluver]

Is Fincato still open?  Been a few years, but that was a pretty nice cigar shop. 

[madandana]

Thanks for sharing Frank. Love Italy, Dana and I just returned from Lake Como.

[Edicion]

Looks like an amazing trip - Italy is amazing and mostly cigar friendly too. 

[GaryK 54]

Thanks for sharing Frank. Great photos and looks to be a relaxing time with family and friends. That’s my type of holiday!  

Sofia and I haven’t been back to Italy since 2019. China’s COVID quarantine policy upon return from international travel has kept us in Shanghai.  

Family is from Calabria - a beautiful part of Italy not to be missed. Warm and welcoming people and great food. Especially the Calabrian Nduja … a spreadable spicy pork salume. Bonus… just a few hours drive to Puglia and the Primitivo vineyards!

[mnsmokes]

Loved reading about the trip!

Currently planning a small wedding in Puglia, specifically Fasano, for next September and trying to map out the some stores to stop at that hopefully match up with the honeymoon.

If anyone has suggestions for the following, it is greatly appreciated:
Cities/Places/Restaurants
Stores to visit
or anything else you think I should know! 
 

Already trying to plan out some wedding smokes!

[shokao]

Family love, beautiful places to visit, nice drinks and good cigars. What else one can wish for? I’m happy for you, brother. That’s a great way to enjoy life.

[Puros Y Vino]

15 hours ago, mnsmokes said:

Loved reading about the trip!

Currently planning a small wedding in Puglia, specifically Fasano, for next September and trying to map out the some stores to stop at that hopefully match up with the honeymoon.

If anyone has suggestions for the following, it is greatly appreciated:
Cities/Places/Restaurants
Stores to visit
or anything else you think I should know! 
 

Already trying to plan out some wedding smokes!

Sounds like a great place for a wedding.   September weather is great too. As for as cities to visit.  Rome IMO is a must.  Stop by the Fincato(LCDH). Call ahead though, their hours are odd.  It took me 3 trips to find their doors open.  Renzio's near the Pantheon has a very good selection of cigars. There's a cabinet up front indicative of what they have more of in the back.  Great spot for a drink and a smoke.  Other than that, tons of sites to visit.  You'll never be able to do them all in one trip though.  Other cities, I've enjoyed.  Florence, Sienna, Venice, Verona(their arena still hold concerts/plays.  Might get lucky and find a performance during your stay), Portofino. Oh and Pugliese mozarella is amazing.  

[Capn_Jackson]

Lovely! I went to Italy about fifteen years ago, with a group in college. Vico Equense, on the Amalfi Coast, was my favorite place. Great people, great memories.

[Low]

Did a food trip there about 5 years ago on the cheap and ever since I've been waiting to get back. Beautiful pictures and glad you had a wonderful time!

[joncat]

Loved reading about the trip!

Currently planning a small wedding in Puglia, specifically Fasano, for next September and trying to map out the some stores to stop at that hopefully match up with the honeymoon.

If anyone has suggestions for the following, it is greatly appreciated:
Cities/Places/Restaurants
Stores to visit
or anything else you think I should know! 
 

Already trying to plan out some wedding smokes!

 

Since you will be in Fasano go to Polignano a Mare (it's a 15 minute drive). Go to La Grotta Palazzese for dinner. It's one of the most romantic restaurants in the world. You will need to make reservations well in advance.

 

[Thirds]

On 10/5/2022 at 7:25 PM, stogieluver said:

Fincato still open?

Open but supply is decimated.  I hit up 7 shops and it was depressing.   I didn’t end up getting to the cigar shop in Bologna but Rome, Florence, Venice was abysmal.