- Brian Terrizzi -

It has to be Sicily since that’s where my family originated and if I had to choose from the rest it would be too tough.

My first trip through Umbria over 20 years ago I was travelling alone and stayed at a person's home pre AirBNB and they happened to have a friends and family holiday dinner planned. Since I was the only guest they invited me to dinner and it was an epic feast that started with epic cotechino and finished with an array of homemade desserts. In between was a dizzying array of dishes prepared by love from an array of Italian nonnas. I was one of over twenty guests and ate the most food they’d probably ever seen. They were impressed. Also, my only 3 star Michelin experience was at Piazza Duomo in Alba, I guess that would be second.

I lived in Florence for a time and fell in love with it and think Venice is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, but I’d have to go with Rome. Over the years I’d typically fly into Rome and then travel quickly elsewhere, but a couple years ago I spent a week living in a residential neighborhood while my daughter was there for ballet and saw the “real” Rome and couldn’t get enough. The diversity of food and culture seems endless and I’d love to explore more of Rome around the edges.

I came across Civita di Bagnoregio in an old issue of National Geographic and decided to stop while driving back to Rome on a research trip with Rob and Tyler. It’s basically an old village that’s an island in the sky accessible only by footbridge. We arrived early in the morning and had the town to ourselves to explore. There were a couple great little spots to eat and views in all directions. When we left I noticed that a huge welcome center was being built, so unfortunately it seems this spot will be overly visited soon.

-Try to learn some Italian and use an accent when you speak. You may think you sound silly or insulting, but if you don’t most folks won’t understand you if you don’t.
-Don’t order cappuccino or and coffee with Milk after 2pm or really after breakfast. At some point this could have gotten you expelled from the country.
-Driving in Italy is easier than people think, but I wouldn’t drive into Rome and never try to take a car into Naples.

I’d like to visit all 20 regions and get to know each one. I need to spend more time in the Dolomites and also Calabria. I will be heading to Sardinia next Spring and can’t wait for that trip.

Most of the Italian stereotypes I was skeptical about I was right to be. The country is about the size of California yet incredibly diverse from a cultural standpoint much more so than I imagined. Most Italians don’t travel very far or often, so their views of different parts of Italy is also based on often inaccurate stereotypes.

Aside from an exploration and fascination of my heritage it’s the immense history and beauty that exists nearly everywhere. The famous tourist sites are amazing, but I’m also stunned when I stumble upon a place that I’ve never heard of that is equally historic and beautiful.

Etto and Giornata exist because of my obsessive exploration of Italy. I go there as much as I can for both pleasure and to fuel new ideas.