Valentinesduck and her traveling tales

I could have had no better surprise than going to Castello di Serravalle for my first week stop after Sanremo.  Although it was difficult arriving there from Bologna by train because it was conveniently broken down that day.  My friends and I had to figure out the bus system to Castello di Serravalle by asking unhelpful strangers.  Finally one sweet twenty something girl brought us on the bus and let us know when to get off.  Upon arrival, this place is magic.

I’m not much of a country girl, but I soon found myself in a gorgeous bed and breakfast called Casa Fonsi for a whole week not wanting to ever leave.

For more information! The owners don't speak English, but their daughter Camilla does!

Most of the other English tutors were placed in the town center, but I was up on top of the hill overlooking the city with my host family’s parents (a camper’s grandparents).  No complaints here.  The family lived on their own farm and vineyard.  Most of our food was straight from the garden and the wine was made from their grapes.

The home and restaurant of Casa Fonsi. Too beautiful for words. PERFECT for dinner parties or weddings or housing a tutor for a week for free.

They have 2 donkeys...one's name is Hugo I think. Hugo the donkey.

Yes, and they have geese. Huey, Dewey and Louie. True story.

Breakfast is served out on the back terrace overlooking the city below. Everything fresh baked from the restaurant. Heaven.

I arrived on a Saturday and was invited to my host daughter Carolina’s first communion on Sunday morning.  It was at a beautiful church and the whole event was very elegant.  The after-party was even more elegant if possible.

The grand finale with streamers.

With my beautiful host family on 1st Communion Sunday.

Host uncle, me & the host father at the after party at Casa Fonsi.

Charlie's angels by the roses with the girls. I felt like I was in Alice and Wonderland with all the gorgeous roses growing on the walls of Casa Fonsi.

My life in Castello di Serravalle was not all luxurious meals in beautiful settings.  The other parts were just as great though.  After camp on most days, the other tutors and I would go to the corner bar in the city square owned by an Asian family and unwind with a few beers and vinos.  Since it was such a small town, everyone knew who we were and always greeted us with smiling faces and sometimes free drinks.  Apparently I was the “talk of the town” because most of them had never seen a tall girl with short shorts and tan legs before.  One of my tutor friend’s host family tried to set me up with a “beautiful, rich bachelor” over dinner one evening.  Italians are always match-making.

Tutor drinks in the square.

Letting loose, ACLE style.

There was something about the people in Castello that made it such a warm and welcoming place.  Every meal I ate was prepared to impress.  Every local was accommodating and hospitable.  The camp directors made sure to feed us every chance they got and help us in any way possible.  The children were adorable, excited and eager to play.  It seems a little surreal, but these people just had the most amazing quality of life.  There was pleasure in everything they did and the feeling was spread everywhere.  There was no better place to start working at a camp than Castello di Serravalle.

We had the most wonderful going away dinner hosted by our camp directors and staff.

The most amazing group of tutors to work together (plus Andrei).

If you ever have the chance to stop through this castle town in the hills of the outskirts of Bologna, please do.  Tell them you know Jason, Katherine, Frank, Andrei, Caitlyn, Luisa or Stephanie and I think you’ll be welcomed with open arms.