Family vacations become even more meaningful as our children grow up and begin creating traditions of their own. This summer, our grandson Matthew graduated from high school and, when asked what he wanted as a graduation gift, his answer surprised no one who knows him well, he wanted a trip to Italy. More specifically, he wanted to experience Umbria, a place that has become a second home for our family over the years.
Fortunately, we were able to make his wish come true. Since we own two neighboring farmhouses in Umbria, the arrangements worked out perfectly. My daughter, her husband, and the kids stayed in our rental farmhouse while Louie and I remained next door in our own home. It was the best of both worlds. We spent our days and evenings together, sharing meals, laughter, and countless memories, while everyone still had their own space to retreat to at the end of the day. It made for a wonderfully relaxed family vacation.
The only challenge was the weather. We happened to arrive during one of Europe’s intense summer heat waves, with temperatures hovering near 100°F (38°C) day after day. Unlike many homes in the United States, our old stone farmhouses don’t have central air conditioning. We kept every fan we owned running around the clock, closed the shutters during the hottest part of the day, and made frequent trips to the swimming pool whenever we needed to cool off. Although the heat slowed us down a bit, it certainly didn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves.
Before the trip, I asked Matthew what he most wanted to do while he was in Italy. His answer was immediate: “Eat!” Anyone who knows Matthew knows he has an incredible appetite and truly appreciates good food, so planning our itinerary was easy. Rather than filling every day with sightseeing, we centered many of our adventures around memorable meals.
One highlight was an overnight trip into neighboring Tuscany. We spent time wandering through the beautiful streets of Florence before exploring several of the picturesque hill towns of Chianti the following day. We even managed to squeeze in a wine tasting in at our hotel. Of course, the real destination was lunch at the legendary Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano, an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves exceptional Tuscan beef and the warm hospitality of Dario Cecchini’s famous butcher shop and restaurant.
Back in Umbria, we continued our culinary adventures with a drive to the medieval town of Gubbio for an incredible truffle-filled lunch at Da Baffone, where the region’s prized black truffles were featured in several unforgettable dishes. We also enjoyed a leisurely afternoon in the beautiful hill town of Montefalco, pairing its stunning views with a delicious lunch at L’Alchemista. Another memorable outing took us to Terni, where we enjoyed lunch at Macelleria Pucci, another destination well worth visiting for anyone who appreciates outstanding Italian cuisine.
Because of the extreme temperatures, we intentionally kept the rest of our days simple. Mornings were leisurely, afternoons were often spent cooling off in the pool, and evenings were reserved for dining at some of our favorite local restaurants. It was simply too hot to spend much time cooking, and with so many wonderful restaurants nearby, we were more than happy to let someone else do the work while we enjoyed long, relaxed dinners together.
Ten days passed far too quickly, as they always seem to do when you’re surrounded by family. Before we knew it, it was time for hugs, goodbyes, and promises to return. Despite the relentless summer heat, this graduation trip was everything we had hoped it would be, a wonderful celebration of Matthew’s milestone, filled with delicious food, beautiful Umbrian landscapes, and precious family memories that we will all treasure for years to come.
Deborah Mele
July 20226