trekking in the Langa Astigiana. June, 28-30th

if you come here often, you already know that, when i'm not riding a lambretta, i like to travel and go hiking. so i simply had to say yes when i was invited to a trekking weekend near Asti, Piemonte. 
this was my second time in Piemonte region, and i had never been to Asti or Asti province before.
i just knew it for being the land of origin of some very good wines. (another good reason to say yes, right?)

our trekking destination was Asti province's southern part, an hilly territory called Langa Astigiana. at first, when we arrived, i tought the scenery was similar to the one i'm so used to: high hills, the Alps in the background, rural architecture, small churches.
actually, i'm happy i had the chance to enjoy the journey on foot: when you walk, you see everything. there is the same difference, as between looking at the water and jumping in.

a tower in Olmo Gentile, the smallest village of Asti province

our route crossed several medieval villages. in the Langa Astigiana, villages are the tinies i've ever seen. i am a small town girl, i was born and raised in a town with 5000 inhabitants, i thought i knew something about tiny villlages! i did not. i was surprised to see municipalities with 150, 120, and even 40 inhabitants. and each one has its own symbols, local products, patron saint, secret stories. oh, how much i love Italy. 

five defensive towers, symbols of five villages, were our landmarks along the way. 

medieval towers of Roccaverano, Vengore, Monastero Bormida, San Giorgio Scarampi, Olmo Gentile

Roccaverano was our home base for the weekend, a village dotted with stone houses and farms. 
we tasted goats milk cheese and hazelnuts that are the best products of the local gastronomy. i liked the hazelnuts cake but i was addicted to the goats robiola, a delicious cheese that is Roccaverano's feather on the cap. 

in two days we walked for about 34 km: meeting the locals, constantly picking cherries from the trees, making long stops to see the frescoes in a church or to climb a tower.

frescoes in San Giovanni churc (XI sec.), Roccaverano

a couple picking cherries

stone houses in Mombaldone

Lucia, travelling companion

a robiola di Roccaverano stand

thanks Itineraria and Movimento Lento for inviting me!

Burano and Mazzorbo. August, Saturday 25th

The one which is maybe our favourite city in the world is the one we cannot reach by Lambretta. Ciao, Venezia.

We both studied at the Venice University so the city means a lot to us. The main island, the "fish", is a wonderful and unique place that everyone should see in his life. But, the magic continues in the lagoon. To explore the little islands, take the vaporetto 12 from the imbarcadero in Fondamenta Nuove, the journey takes 40 minutes (7€ one way).

Burano is colorful as a parrot, simple as a fisherman. Embroidered by the sea, trimmed in lace.

Once you get off the vaporetto, you have a small park on the right side, a nice place to have a pic nic if you brought your lunch, like we did (considering the vaporetto tickets price, is a good way to save some money). I prepared some sandwiches with salame, rocket/sundried tomatoes/grana cheese, gorgonzola cheese/fig/honey (had the last one idea from this recipe).

Walking between the park and the sea, you'll arrive to a wooden bridge, which connects Burano to her quiet sister, Mazzorbo island.
In the early days of Venetian life, there were farmers, too. Somehow they managed to farm this salty, microscopic and stingy land.
In Mazzorbo we can still admire the results of such stubborness: the restaurant & hostel Venissa is located inside a vigna murata (walled vineyard), recently restored.