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NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2004
 

Il Bollettino di Gina
November 2004

Do Italians celebrate Thanksgiving?  This question has come my way more than once in the last weeks. My answer? If we are talking turkey, the answer is no. However, over the centuries, beautiful shrines and churches have been constructed in thanksgiving for deliverance from a plague, gratitude for a miracle or for a victory in battle. A good example is the Cathedral of Orvieto. The pope commissioned this breathtaking church to hold sacred the famous miracle at Bolsena, circa 1290. This is one of hundreds of examples. So yes, the Italians do celebrate Thanksgiving.  

Olive Oil

2004

Harvest

Daniela Bencini of Casanuova d’Ama tells me the olive harvest for this year is exceptional. I can place my order soon and thereby insure delivery for Christmas.  Despite the high EURO, I will keep the cost minimal.  Please note the EURO is 15 cents more on the dollar than it was last year at this time.  At this time, I can project the costs as follows:

          The 250 ml decorator bottle gift size $19.00
          The 500 ml all purpose bottle $31.00.
Bonus: buy or sell 25 bottles and receive one bottle of oil as my gift.

For those of your new to this exceptional product, know we receive the current year’s pressing of unfiltered cold pressed extra virgin olive oil with a rating of less than 1% acidity. Once you try this oil, there is no returning to the ordinary bland flavors. 

Shipping and handling charges may apply for order sent outside of the Bend, OR area.

For questions or pre-orders, please contact me at: Extra virgin olive oil

For those of you who enjoyed the peppery taste of the Malvatani oil, I will be placing an order in February for this year’s production. You can pre-order at this oil at this time as well.

All orders are requested prior to November 20, 2004!  

Gina’s Italy tours in 2004 offered travelers new and interesting itineraries. I had the pleasure of escorting three family groups, a lovely couple from Florida (post hurricanes), a couple of repeat travelers and friends and new friends from Portland. We studied Italian, we visited wineries, we returned to medieval quarters, we retraced history three stories below modern day Rome, we saw mozzarella being made, we ate gelato and caprese salads, we experienced a local festival; fashion show included, and we all made friends with our hosts and familiar faces in town.  Read on for what is on the horizon for 2005. 

Gina’s Italy

2005

 

Gina’s Italy is offering more options in 2005.  In April, an Italian language immersion experience will take our travelers into several villages for a personal language enrichment. The Heart of Italy tour is scheduled for May. Our groups will soak up the grandeur of Rome, move into rural hill towns and experience the excitement of a medieval competition between two rival towns. In September and October, the Grand Tour customized for a group of friends makes the stops in Venice, Florence and Rome.  Walk, Wine & Dine makes a repeat performance in early October.  We’ll experience fine dining with our hosts/friends in Lazio.  Renaissance gardens are on the agenda, in addition to the hill towns of Central Italy.  For more details on any of these tours or perhaps another customized tour, please contact Gina at 2005 Opportunities

Gina’s Italy offers private escorted tours (custom and pre-arranged itineraries); Italian host private tours; and consults for the independent traveler.

I hope to hear from you soon. Oh yes, it is NOT too early to plan 2006. A third Italian language immersion class is on the books for April 2006.

Dear Bollettino readers, thank you again for your interest in Gina’s Italy. If you suspect you have not received previous 2004 issues, feel free to request a back copy.  Email elves have been spotted around my desk. Thus, errant newsletters might be caught in cyberspace. To add a friend to my email newsletters, please contact me at info@ginasitaly.com. Please include your name, your friends name, address and interests.  To remove yourself from the newsletter list, please contact me at: Remove. REMEMBER to include full name, address and email address. Yes, I do have two Joe Green’s in my address book.   

Italian Language

Classes

Ciao Studenti, Many of you have already been contacted by me for upcoming classes. If you have not heard from me and wish to be on my roster, please contact me as soon as possible. My first session for the second level students will begin the week of November 22, 2004. A beginning level and advanced level will begin early December. Times and places are still being established. Thank you for your patience. 
Extra notices Ciao readers, please make a mental note you might receive a few more short bollettinos during November or December. A lot is going on.  You will  surely want to be in the loop. 
Until our next issue, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. May you have many reasons for giving thanks.

Gina

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  Revised:08.24.2007