Miscellaneous Forum

Hi Lena - Personally speaking I reckon two castles in one day is one too many. I'd much prefer a nice leisurely light lunch and will quite happily just wing it on the day and find somewhere suitable - maybe the bus driver will have a local favourite?? (Maybe somewhere he gets a kickback from)

I am kind of with John on this. Once I start drinking wine, with Vt'ers, everything kind of goes out the window. I really like the original idea. Can we not find someone in Italy to speak to them? Also there is a VT staff member who speaks Italian.

If necessary I can drive, no problem. If possible not as winetasting and driving is not good and I have been driving quite much before and will after the VT meet. But as said, if there is a need, I will.

Hi Lena, Sorry to hear the organisation of our day-trip is proving so difficult. Like John I'd prefer (and so would my friend Jane)to have lunch than to visit another castle! I'm not totally against the second castle visit but I would definitely need/want to eat during our day out - I'd never last till evening. Wasn't there originally an option to dine at the castle as part of the visit? Could that be an option? Or maybe you could ask one of our Italian friends to contact the Becaccia agriturismo on our behalf? Also like John I think the bus driver might be able to suggest somewhere - if all else fails maybe we could get him to make a phonecall in the morning before we depart from Bergamo? Anyway don't worry about it - you have the bus and the castle visit arranged, I'm sure those of us who want to eat will find something - it's all part of the adventure! All the best, Anne Marie

Hi, These nice folks are active VT members who will attend: Maurizioago pollon Email them and they should be able to help. Failing that you can email me and I will try to help. All the best, DAO

Hi Lena, first of all, thanks for your work on this. If we go, it will be by whatever means available. we are good to walk one castle, two castles, irrespective of the vino consumed. Most of us will figure out what and were to eat. If it works out a the turismo great.... if not we will sacrifice a goat, or at least a bottle of wine with an animal picture on it.. :-)

For me any decision regarding what we will do is fine too. Any place we eat and any place that we walk to. It is the fact that we all are coming together what counts!

I'm in the "one castle is enough" camp I think. When I sightsee with just my husband or one or two friends maybe, it's fine to pack plenty into the day. bUt I know from experience of other VT meetings that in a largish group you go slower - much slower! I remember when Ingrid (Trekki) planned a visit to Speyer as part of the Karlsruhe meeting there was so much she wanted to show us there. But after a good visit to the cathedral we went to a cafe for lunch and that took time (lots of orders, lots of chatting) and before we knew it, it was time for our train back to Karlsruhe! But I also agree that I don't want a big lunch - I rarely eat a lot at lunch time and never if have a big meal in the evening to look forward to! I think we should risk winging it. Isn't there a village near the castle? We could all go there and either descend on some poor unsuspecting cafe en masse, or break into smaller groups and try a couple, with a "meet back at the bus at xx time" agreement. A glass of wine, a panino, and time with friends - that would be a good lunch for me :-) Those who eat less might also stroll around the village if they wish, or simply linger over a coffee and more chat. Those who like to eat more can also do so. Planning a complicated trip at distance is indeed difficult, and more so when you have so many to please. Remember the saying, less is more! You have a good plan for transport and for the castle visit, and that should be planning enough. If we are together we will have a good day, and as long as the bus then gets us back safely to Bergamo in time for the meal (and in time for my husband's arrival, as he'll travel from Germany to join the last part of the meeting that afternoon!) I will be very happy :-)

Hi!! As written on FB I was away from home and from an internet connection but here I'm now: About GRUMELLO, as they didn't reply the phone (today is not Saturday), I called the regional office in Milan and they confirmed the email quoted on this page: prolocoitalia.org/proloco.ph... even if I'm not sure they are reliable as they didn't know much about Grumello but while waiting for Saturday, you could try the mail: prolocogrumello@email.it About CALEPIO CASTLE the mail is: filippo377@alice.it And the website, only in Italian 8apart from a few tranlated lines) is: comune.castellicalepio.bg.it... They have only one guide who can speak English and they have to check if this person is available on June, 2nd but by mail you can speak English. Do you still need me to call La Beccaccia??

Hey Lena, i am easy. But i rather Side with One Castle Camp As it is nice to take it easy & explore.. Love to have light lunch, As After much Sightseeing we will Be hungry, regardless of Big Dinner in the evening. Whatever you decide i am OK with it.

Ok)))) Thank you all)))) Well, we will skip Calepio then))) As to me (personally), frankly, I prefer slow dinner and chatting too)))) If La Becaccia won't accept us, there are 2 other agriturismo farms with catering in Grumello. The choice of La Beccaccia was stipulated by it's nice situation, nice view on the hills, open terrace - and because it has more tables, so we can seat all. Another reason- they have wide range of local homemade food: salami, cheese, homemade bread and cakes (so the VTers who just need easy snack will enjoy it in it's best) and hot dishes (grilled meat) for ones who really want to eat))) I checked other cafes (restaurants) in Grumello, but small ones are too small, other places look too official to my mind))) I really appreciate your assistance, Chiara! The castle is situated in the centre of the village, about 8-10 min from the train station. The main parish of XIX cent is in 5 min walking from castello, near the central square. Other places are on distance.

I have spoken with the agriturismo: they still have place for 20-25 people. They need an arrival time and a phone number and I think it's more reasonable if one of the group attending (I have noticed mauriziago signed in the list of the trip) gives his/her phone number so in case of any change of plans you can directly speak as it's a nonsense you call me, I call the place and all the line back to reach you again...

Thanks for your help !!!

You are welcome and let me know if you still need my Italian ;-)

Grazie)))))) And I'm afraid we will need your Italian once more (at least)))))))) But if you will need my Russian -you are always welcome!!!!!

No problem, I'm here and I won't forget the language for sure, it's my mother one LOL...

I think to go to Grumello from Bergamo by train. The visit to one castle, a small tour of the village and lunch would do for me. I will let pollon have my cell number soon.

Thank you, Maurizio))) I guess, the train at 09:07 am and back on 15:32 are o'k for you, and we will give you a lift from the castle to La Beccaccia and from Beccaccia to the train station)

This is the great thing about VT - meeting people were language is not (too much) of a barrier. I look forward to drinking wine with you all.

Looks like it's all coming together nicely - well done everyone :-)

Yes, everything will work out for sure!

Agreed, guys! :-x

Lena, now, when everything is fixed up, you can finally relax :) Thanks a lot for your work! Personally I'm for one castle option and then lazy lunch. I'm not sure if after wine tasting we'd be interested in more sightseeing :)

Anja! You don't say so!!! Even me (old and tired woman) able to do a lot of things after wine:-D LOL

Lena, I'm sure you are able to do a lot, dancing for example, but not necessary sightseeing :)))

For me one castle is fine, two maybe too much..........I must admit that I find it more interesting to chat with new people rather than visiting too many old stones in a day, but as it is my first VT-meeting I'll agree with whatever is decided. Light or no lunch is also fine by me. I am looking forward to meeting you all:-D

I love that we have reached consensus)))

Ciao a tutti. Dolce vita with a visit of only one Castello following by a fine local wine tasting + farniente after lunch time sounds good for me too ;-) Grazie Lena per l'organizzazione. Salute! Patrick aka Tripack aka Tobleroni

I have spoken to Ivan of La Beccaccia and you have a reservation for 20-25 people around 13.00-13:30 on June, 2 and they have the name and phone of Maurizio. I said he can get the link of the meeting page about that activity of our Bergamo meeting so he can see how many people will add of will cancel and also to further confirm the reservation. Ivan doesn't speak English but his brother can understand it if written and the mail is: agr.labeccaccia@alice.it (on the phone the man said without the dot after agr but in internet I found agr.labeccaccia so better try the both ;-)...) Looking forward to meeting and hugging you all by person in Bergamo :-)

That's GREAT Chiara - you are definitely top of my list for a BIG HUG :-)