In the centre of Italy the region of 'Toscana' (Tuscany) is situated and appears to be one of the most well known areas of Italy. Not far from the capital of the region, Firenze,  is a small town called Lucca. I am told that within the wall is a population of 8,000 people. I am often surprised by how many people know the town or have been there. After all, it is not "huge" city or tourist destination like so many other well known and large travel spots. However, it is a beautiful town. 
 
Over 60 years ago a young man (in his late teens) ran away from this town and ended up in Australia. Mauro Cerasa, my father, is the only member of his family to leave Lucca. The other 3 brothers Bruno, Sergio and Giordano all still live there. 
 
Speaking for myself and I think,  I can also speak on behalf of my two sisters, we do feel an affinity to this town and to our Italian heritage.
 
Ironically as a young kid growing up in WASP rural and then, eastern suburbs of Melbourne,  I did every thing I could to deny my ethnic heritage. Hard to hide behind a name like  "Cerasa" though. 
 
So here I am visiting this walled medieval provincial city for the the 5th time and I have to say .... I love it a little more each time! There is an allure about Toscano that is hard to deny.
 
Have you visited Lucca?
 
#happytastings #happyholidays #happylife #allyouneedislove #debandtez
 
DC

The young man who arrived in Australia

​Some people are hot weather people and others are cold weather people. I tend to prefer the cooler temperatures than hotter. Traveling in winter never phases me and generally, I don't pick locations based on weather. After all I am not into skiing so it does not need to be ski fields with perfect powder snow. Likewise, I am not usually influenced by jet skiing, snorkelling or swimming. 
 
As Positano is obviously a summer location and attracts sun lovers from around the world, it has not previously been on my bucket list. The impetus to visit was the wedding invitation. 
 
Many people I know who have visited Positano had raved about what a great place it was. It certainly has not disappointed. My friend Meggsi has sent me a best of the best in Positano list & without being neurotic to do everything on the list, many of the places turned out to be near us or we passed by during many walks around town. Only one thing on the list disappointed me, otherwise it was a good guide.
 
Here are the #debandtaz additions to the list:

• Best restaurant - Max Ristorante
• Best view with great food - caffe Positano
• Best mojito - Al Palazzo bar
• Best aperol spritz - Al Palazzo bar
• Best breakfast bakery - Collina 
• My favourite dress shop Mesa Cinque
• TezzaEd favourite clothes shop - Pepitos
• Best time of the day - definitely daybreak and dusk.

 
Have you been to Positano? Did you enjoy your visit?
 
#happytastings #happyholidays #happylife #allyouneedislove 

DC

After a delicious meal we moved to another terrace and sipped mojitos for refreshment, laughed about life and generally just had a great time. The walk back to our hotel did require some change of footwear.  By the end of a long hot afternoon, it was time for feet to be more comfy in Havanas and Birkenstocks. Back on the terrace of our room we sipped Gin and Tonics, watched  the magic of Positano light up as dusk turned to evening. *sigh*

What a wonderful event to be involved in. What a privilege to be able to share yet another life event with one of my besties and to finish the night sitting on the terrace holding hands with my TezzaEd. 

I love weddings, celebrations and ceremonies - do you? What is your most  memorable celebration ?

#happyevents #allyouneedislove #lovepositano​

DC  

It felt like forever for August 2017 to arrive, but it was here in the blink of an eye. My packing had been completed weeks ahead and several attempts at re- packing occurred to cull some my usual over packing. The biggest stress was what shoes to take with me, as the rehab for my ankle (Italian: caviglia) is still not complete. Ugly but comfortable shoes versus groovy and love wearing them, but possibly NQR footwear ... What a dilemma. Be advised though, the search continues for the perfect shoes and is now an epic ongoing expedition - just like finding the perfect handbag is !
 
I think most people have some concerns or anxieties about traveling. Mine is about being late, the subsequent rushing that may occur and the possibility of missing flights/connections can cause considerable physical reactions for me. (Yep, missing flights has happened twice = major meltdown). I was indulged and we left home with plenty of time to spare. We traveled by train to the city and rode the sky bus to the airport. Departure a little delayed, but another uneventful flight.
 
I do love an A380 - amazing structures.
 
Some time in transit  was needed after arriving at Heathrow.  As we had a very early flight out the next morning, we made our way across to Gatwick and checked into the airport hotel for a G & T, shower and sleep. Changing hemispheres is an effective early morning wake up call, which meant we were up and re-focused, with plenty of time for our connecting early morning flight to Naples.Our destination was Positano and the hotel had organised a pick up for us. Marco, the rather handsome olive skinned, dark haired, young dude, oozing personality was standing there with a sign that read “My Terry Positano”. We figured we had found our man. Marco proceeds to advise us that he has spent two lengthy “working holidays” in Australia, so he was right across being the “best driver” for us. 
 
First time for us through Naples and the Amelfi Coast and like everyone had advised ….. spectacular. And it is hot - 30 degrees ++. Marco took off and after some small talk he offered a “suggestion - just a suggestion - only if we want”. Of course that led to another suggestion and soon we were meeting our personal guide for a 2 hour stroll in the midday sun around Pompeii. Actually, I have to admit, it was a great tour and my history, geography and social studies quota for that day was definitely reached.
 
Marco stayed with the car and our luggage and he was exactly where we anticipated meeting him as we concluded our “drainage system of Pompeii” tour. On the road again and of course he chatted away to us in that melodic way Italian speak. Listening to the Italian  language always make me think of the graphic of a heartbeat …. Words go up, then down and then plateau in tone. Imagine this …. AL (tone rises) LO (tone drops) RA (last sound plateau) …. Allora !
 
Allora, back to Marco and the drive and we were serenaded by Andrea Bocelli singing, then we swung into the classics of Dean Martin  Marco continued, stopped on the roadside for an incredible lemon granita and Marco continued to give us his suggestions ….he advised how Naples was the best city in Italy, best opera house is in Naples, best seafood was in Naples, best shopping was in Naples …. He was actually from Sorrento.
 
It did not seem to take long before we zipped around a corner and Marco declared “welcome to Positano” with a grand sweeping  gesture of his hand in true Italiano style.Yes, the vista was truly breathtaking and exactly what the picture books had displayed  and all others who had visited before us had described.
 
How holiday was about to commence.
 
Have you ever missed a flight ? Did you stress about it or accept that event was done and you could nothing about it?
 
#happytastings #happyholidays #happylife #allyouneedislove 

DC