On Tuesday night we signed up for the dinner on the rooftop terrace on top of a Medievel tower. We were told it would be like eating dinner up in a hot air balloon. That description was very accurate including the tight quarters that you might find yourself in – if you had 11 people eating in a hot air balloon!
By now I was so exhausted as we headed off to dinner for this adventure. I had even napped that afternoon, but still felt fatigued from all of the non-stop activity. Also, have I mentioned it is hot! Very hot, so that has a way of zapping your energy.
Regardless, dinner as it was described on a roof top felt like it was not to be missed (as did every activity they suggested this week – that was the problem). So we signed up for it and even hung in there when they told us two other families would be joining us that night that had a combined five children ages 11, 8, 8, 7, 7 We really liked the parents of the children (all staying on the farm at the same time as us) and figured they would keep the kids under control during dinner. While I do love children, dining out at fancy dinners in Italy with a group of them sounds like a recipe for an interesting evening.
As it turned out, they did a great job in keeping the children behaved when they were at the table and specifically eating. When they weren’t eating, the parents would say ‘go down and play’ and sent them down into the village to play at the park with the 11-year-old in charge. Isabella, had said it was fine for them to play in the village and they seemed to enjoy their time adventuring around. You definitely feel in this part of Italy that it is very family oriented and the Italians take care of one another and that children are precious and protected by all.
Getting to this roof top was about 6 flights of stairs up, and then 2 sets of what we were calling ‘bunk bed’ ladders to climb onto the roof. It was hilarious! We couldn’t imagine how they would get all of our food up and down all of these stairs and ladders.
Amazingly, they did and did it very proficiently! The food ended up being just as spectacular as the view. Dana and I split a Tuscan soup and a spinach pici pasta with fried bacon. Believe me when I say it was outstanding and at this point I feel I am fast-tracking my way shutting down my arteries. Our only good choice at this point is we are now splitting dishes to cut our calories in half. Hey, you have to start somewhere!
It turned out to be very memorable evening and we are so glad that we went. We also enjoyed connecting with the other families. The location was unreal and indescribable. I am hoping that the pics picture here help to give an idea of what it was like to sit up there and watch the sunset and then dine under the stars. It was unforgettable and I am so grateful for the experience.