Italy’s little secret’s is out

Marco Montanari has flown over Italy many a time in his light plane yet although gazing down over endless vineyards and medieval towns is a familiar experience, one recent flight caused him to Pack his bags again and head for pastures new.

In 2002, Monanari was out for a spin in his plane over Brisighella, south of Bologna in northern Italy, when suddenly something stirred in the heart of this Tuscany-based Swiss expat.

“I fell in love immediately,” reveals Montanari. The object of his affection is a spa town in the Eastern foothills of the Apennines which has got a lot in common with Tuscany but fortunately is much less popular.

The countryside around the town is authentic, sometimes a little rough and ready and generally sleepy by nature. Oddly enough though, Florence is only 88 kilometres down the road, or 90 minutes by train, and Bologna can be reached in an hour by car. An unspoilt Adriatic coastline and the lively port of Ravenna are also equally close at hand.

Source: IOL.co.za