When my partner Brian and I moved from Boston to Cape Town, we were excited for a new adventure, but sad to be so far away from the people we love. Living an ocean and hemisphere away from my parents is not always easy, but through Backroads we’ve been able to keep our connection strong by meeting up for epic trips. Since we all have overloaded schedules, having someone else handle the logistics helps us get the most out of our limited time together.
At the beginning of our recent trip to Cinque Terre and Tuscany, our fantastic leaders asked us to each come up with a word to encapsulate what we were most hoping to get out of the trip. Our words were: Pesto, Beauty, Community and Dis(Connection). As you’ll soon see, I think all of us found what we were looking for!
Chloe: Pesto
Though my word specified “pesto,” I was on the hunt for anything delicious. Liguria delivered—as soon as we arrived in Santa Margarita de Ligure, we were ushered into a family-run restaurant serving heaping plates of pasta and a heavenly pesto. Our leaders informed us that although basil is associated with both pesto and Liguria, it’s actually originally from Southeast Asia. From basil to tomatoes, it’s amazing to think how much Italian cuisine was influenced by the arrival of foreign ingredients!
As we were traveling in mid-April, I was excited to sample the springtime produce. Bright green peas, thick strands of asparagus and zucchini flowers greeted us at every market. I was most in awe of the artichokes, which came in more varieties than I’m used to at home, from tiny purple orbs to giant green globes. We were treated to these seasonal delights in Tuscany at the beautiful Villa le Barone. Everything on the dinner menu was phenomenal, from the succulent rabbit to the indulgent tiramisu, but I couldn’t help going back to the antipasti buffet for another serving of crispy-yet-tender artichokes.
Other standouts included delicate prawns served in a vibrant citrus oil; fresh lemon and basil sorbet after a long hike to Corniglia; chicken-liver crostini during a lunch break in the medieval village of Volpaia; and wild boar pappardelle served with Chianti and a stunning view.
Dad: Beauty
My Dad’s main mission was to take in the beauty of the Italian countryside, and he was spoiled for choice! Every day we walked through gorgeous and surprisingly diverse landscapes. Cinque Terre was breathtaking, with its pastel houses adorning cliffs that plunged into the sea. On our way to Portofino, we strolled through hills carpeted with daisies and buttercups. After a lazy espresso stop in an old mill, we made our way down to the glamorous seaside village. Restaurants lined the old port, and all the diners got the memo—we were surrounded by beautiful people wearing designer labels and, now that the sun was back out, enormous sunglasses.
Tuscany offered a more pastoral beauty with rolling hillsides, olive groves, and cobblestone lanes draped in wisteria and lavender. The quiet towns came to life during lunchtime, particularly on Easter Sunday. Our group made it to Greve de Chianti just as the church services ended. The cathedral emptied straight into the piazza, which swelled with chattering locals who poured each other glasses of wine while their children chased soccer balls through the square. Hands reached out to greet old friends and laughter poured out of the enotecas. The joyful connections in this small community were perhaps the most beautiful thing we saw on the trip.
Mom: Community
My Mom loves the way Backroads leaders both create connections in a small community of travelers and introduce us to the local communities they know and love. This trip had great opportunities for both!
With the help of our energetic leaders, Filippo and Evelyn, our group quickly clicked. Over the many courses of an Italian dinner, we shared cherished memories of family weddings, favorite music festivals, and of course, experiences from other Backroads trips. On our hikes we looked out for each other, making sure nobody got dehydrated or left behind. By the end of our trip, we were swapping hugs and podcast recommendations, our little community buzzing with warmth.
Filippo and Evelyn also introduced us to the characters of the communities we visited. It was especially a pleasure to meet their friend Francesca, a charismatic Tuscan wine expert. Though we were initially a bit lethargic after an afternoon of ambling, her buoyant personality reinvigorated us. While we sipped, she taught us about local wines and regaled us with exciting stories. I won't spoil the plot, but make sure you ask her about the legend of the black rooster, which decorates the Chianti region's wine bottles. Her pride and enthusiasm were infectious, giving us an authentic taste of local perspectives.
Brian: (Dis)Connection
In today's hyper-connected world, it can be difficult to disconnect from the plethora of unfinished work, social and domestic tasks that await at home. Brian's schedule had been especially full, so pausing obligations from the outside world was a much-needed break.
He wasn't the only one who needed to disconnect. Because we don't get to see each other as often as we would like, my family wanted to make the most of every moment. That ideally meant a trip free from distractions, logistics and obligations. Joining a group trip meant we could travel without worrying about where we would sleep that night or how we would get food, so we could fully embrace la dolce vita!
But disconnecting didn’t mean disengaging. This trip was an opportunity for us to tend to old connections. Over dinner or as we walked, my family caught up on each other’s news, sharing stories of life in a new country and updates from life back at home. We also shared in new experiences together—like trying unique flavors of gelato, searching for wild boar in the hills or learning about our fellow travelers. The experiences we've shared have created memories that keep us connected, even when we live so far apart.
As unique individuals, we all have different ideas of what makes a meaningful trip—whether it’s as specific as Pesto or broad as Beauty. On this trip we each found what we were seeking while still maximizing our time together. Most of all, we reconnected after a long time apart and shared a wonderful adventure. By the end we were already thinking of our next trip! Thank you Backroads, and especially Filippo and Evelyn, for a delicious, stunning and engaging journey!
