Siamo Arrivati (we’ve arrived)

We landed in Milan on time and accompanied by our luggage … off to a good start!  We stayed in Milan long enough to “acclimatized”  and then it was off to Parma.  Parma is a lovely smaller city that retains the tradition of the Sunday afternoon passeggiata (a time when the city walks around and enjoys community - pictured).   Of course we also indulged in the local specialties of Parma Proscuitto and Parmigiano Reggiano - YUM.  Then it was off to the country side.  Surprisingly, there are a good number of castles in the province of Parma and we enjoyed a slow winding country drive of rolling hills and hill-top towns.  We got really lucky with our stop in Castell’ Arquato (castle pictured) were we found a restaurant with NO menu.  I do believe this lack of a menu is a sign that you are going to have a GREAT meal and it was (spinach and asparagus ravioli in butter/olive oil sauce pictured).   Now we are settled in San Pietro in the foot hills of the Garfagnana Mountains to enjoy walking and eating and eating and walking and, well, you get the picture J