A Bit Of History in Italy

When you set your sights to travel, there are many destinations you deem on your bucket list. Then there are ones you stumble upon, like Barga, Italy, the oldest northerly enclave of the Florence State, dating back to the the early 1300s.

This morning, sleepy-eyed from a night of wine and the candid conversation you can only share with a treasured friend, we made our way to this bargo, the Italian name for a small town. Here, 300 inspired people live and paint, drink and reminisce, about the quaint history that bore a beautiful place to call home, surrounded peacefully by the Apaun Alps. Led by a local who has spent his lifetime amongst the cobblestone streets, we toured the countryside, sampling fig pie and salami and bread crafted from potatoes, all while the crisp blue skies of mid-morning sun kissed our backs.

There’s much joy to see when you’re far away from the cities and the tourism capitals, especially when locals welcome you despite language barriers and age, where a smile can articulate what words never could.

Like when one part of a two-brother team who owns a 105-year old shop offers you a piece of Parmesan, bred from cows who live far beyond the peaks of the mountain you photographed. And then explains its 29 years old – just like the age you just turned. And then pours you a glass of locally-made Chianti, ripe before 11 am, where it doesn’t have to be 5 o’clock anywhere to say “Salute!” to a new day.

It’s these moments you know that even if you didn’t quite predict you’d end up in this colorful spot in northern Tuscany, you realize how serendipitous the universe is, always bringing you to where you need to be.