The ferry from the Greek port of Igoumenitsa to Italy arrived late, and our favourite hotel in Ancona was already fully booked. We had to work quite hard to find an alternative that offered secure parking and somewhere to walk the dogs. After a couple of false starts, we lucked out with La Cantina di Ale, which ticked all the boxes. At this hotel and pizzeria, the pizzas were wonderful —thin and light with delicious toppings, and such a huge diameter that they have to order special plates to fit!
The next morning we headed to Pescara to collect Nacho, who belongs to Dana and Bruce. They’ve already moved to Scotland, where a tartan welcome mat is doubtless being laid out., So we had a rendezvous with Dana’s sister Laura at the Pescara Ikea to collect Nacho.
From there it was a short hop to Vasto to collect Guisy’s three cats, Jack Sparrow, Charlie and Carmella. Guisy is relocating to London and, of course, her beloved cats are going too. Her Dad and her brother-in-law, Federico, came to see them off.
Our next stop was Genoa to meet up with Zeva, a beautiful Bracco Italiano puppy, bred by Maurice, who was very moved at parting with her. Zeva is off to live in Morpeth with Alex, who’s been waiting more than two months for Zeva to join her.
We were hoping to reach Calais tonight but the holiday traffic in Italy means the roads are choked and everything’s moving very slowly. So we think tomorrow is a more realistic ambition!
Awards on the walls of the Cantina di Ale’s breakfast room. And in the kitchen, photos of chefs past and present and all their families. A super place where simplicity and good food prevail.
Our hotel was on the outskirts of Recanati, about which the guides usually say ‘Recanati is art, history, culture, music, faith and nature.’ This is Palazzo Bello, the summer home of one of Italy’s most famous poets, Giacomo Leopardi.
A plaque showing the opening stanza of Leopardi’s best known work, Zibaldone, which reads, ‘Palazzo Bello, a dog’s bark in the night, comes from the farmhouse, with the passing traveller… ‘ Very apt as the farmhouse is now the Cantina di Ale!
The poor old palazzo really is crumbling away, but provided us with a lovely breezy hill-top walking spot for the dogs. Just as well, as it was already 92F at 7.30am!
Amazing what you can get at Ikea these days! Laura and her friend bring us Dana’s cat Nacho.
A closer look at friendly Nacho who loves a cuddle
Jack Sparrow and Charlie are great mates
Jack Sparrow has amazing markings around his eyes
Handsome ginger-and-white Charlie
Carmella looking very snuggly in her bed
Maurice saying goodbye to puppy Zeva
Lovely Lino shows us his fine profile
Hector always seems to have a smile on his face
Sammy is also a smiley fellow
Neo very eager for his walk…
…and relaxing in a spot in the shade
Randall enjoying the fresh air
A winsome look from cute kitty Willow
We think Gulliver is well named — very alert, always exploring his bedroom, and doubtless ready to research his next trip!
Zavia is gaining in confidence and happy to have a little chat. We love the ginger detail on her head and nose!
Pretty hot out on our walk — Lino was glad to get back for a cool drink of water
Billie is very lively and finds it hard to stand still
Judi is also a live wire. Here she is in the beautiful shady gardens of the Palazzo Bello
Demetris has ‘cute’ down to a T
be careful jack Sparrow takes what he can get and he gives nothing back :o) I hope Palazo Bello has a chance and there is one who can renovate this wonderful building …
We’re keeping a very beady eye on Jack Sparrow 😀 That would be an enormous undertaking but quite marvellous if it ever happened.
I love the photo of Nacho, the shopping cart kitty from Ikea! Nice shots of the architecture and so many lovely kitties and handsome dogs!
We once got a two-for-one deal on a kitty in a supermarket car park – find one, get one free. Nacho just had two lovely minders.
I got Rosencrantz and Guildenstern on a 2 for 1 special back in 2000 before they outlawed selling kittens at pet shops where we live. I would buy crickets for our lizards at this one pet shop. They had these two black kittens that were really cute and had been there for a couple of weeks. They had a price tag of $15 each. I was playing with them through the bars of the cage they were in when the pet shop owner came up and told me I could have both of them for $15. That was the best $15 I ever spent.
Keep this hotel on the list – any that have great pizza you want to remember. Description of the traffic sounds like where I live. The passengers all seem happy and don’t seem to care about the conditions.
Although the pets are of course lovely, it is always nice to get some local colour from your journeys too.
Such adventures! Hope it doesn’t get too hot for humans or paws. Good that you found a place to suit every need. The pizza sounds divine. Love the ancient architecture. It would be nice to have it restored.
Hector has such joie de vivre!
cool photos and good looking gang
They look a great bunch of passengers on this trip!
What a splendid collection of star quality!! Loved ALL the pictures and narratives!! And I love YOU for sharing these treasures!! The Red Man sends Paw Snaps and Twirls to you all and wishes you, as always, safe and happy trails! 🙂