Last year in our UK posting for ten weeks, my dad happened to be visiting Italy. We looked up all the cheap fares and finally got one over a weekend where Jim only had to take 1/2 day off work.
This was his first-ever trip to the UK or Europe. There was so much I wanted to show him. A friend and I toured Scotland two days a week and Jim and I made day trips on weekends but this was special.
We arose 3:00 a.m. Saturday and took a taxi to the airport bus, going to the out-of-the-way airport to save a few pounds on EasyJet. Arrived Pisa and negotiated a train ticket to Florence. We arrived, travel-weary and sleep-deprived, about 1:30 p.m.
The rest of the trip was a whirlwind and we didn’t even see a museum. We met Dad and Jane in town and went immediately to lunch. Italians know how to have lunch. We walked a bit on our own, took a brief nap and it was time to get cleaned up for dinner. Italians know how to have dinner.
Sunday breakfast was cooked by my Dad, with minimal assistance from me. Jim and I headed out and met them for lunch, took a long walk and it was time for dinner. We arose at an ungodly hour Monday morning for the return trip.
The point is that I’d like to plan various educational and culinary vacations for us that last longer than 36 hours (plus eighteen hours in travel time). Aside from eating and walking, the only truly prophetic thing we did way buy gorgeous Italian soaps at the Farmacia at Santa Maria Novello. Now that’s an experience, but we were power shopping for gifts for family and business associates as we only had a couple of weeks left before returning to the States.
So, I’d hate for Jim to say to Italy, “been there, done that” because he truly hasn’t. He did enjoy the food and, as a cattleman’s son, especially the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak made from Chianina beef that is simply dressed with salt, pepper and fruity olive oil).
Ireland? France? Germany/Switzerland/Austria? Greece and Turkey? It’ll be fun to plan and perhaps when the flaky economy straightens out, to actually do. We do have a long weekend coming up and I need to use some airline miles or lose them, so we’ll let you know what we decide. No, that one won’t be Europe!!! Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 
I know a grown man who really enjoys quiche. So do his two grown sons. Only gliche, they may want a whole pie apiece, heavy on the meat and cheese, light on the vegetables. I have some nice Fontina from Sams you can use. It has endured several days at 60degrees while the frig was on the blink but as it was never opened from the original packaging, it should still be ok. If you think not, let me know and I’ll pick up some replacements in about 10 days when I make my monthly trek to Sams.