Villa Gaia to Monte Rite

Woke up to a view of the hillside bathed in sunshine and birdsong. When I got ready to go, Schopper's gears were no longer working. Hmm... this is not good. I twiddled around till I managed to repair it. And we were on our way.

Feeling proud I treated myself to an apfelstrudel at Villa Gaia looking on to Monte Rite. There I met Toni, the beer sommelier, who gave me tips on various mountain routes.

I asked him: "Why do you speak fluent German?"
"I grew up in Bremen", he said.
This small world delighted us.

I set off on my first mission: to climb up Monte Rite. Looking at it from the cafe, it seemed impossibly tall and distant. The path was a well paved road, going through one or two villages and then through the forest above. On reaching the peak at 2183 m altitude, the view on to the Marmarole group is fantastic. There is the Messner mountain museum on top, from which there is a 360⁰ panorama. Spectacular view!

I was lucky to get a beer from the rifugio at the top. Not sure what additives they add to it here, but cold beer always tastes so good up at this height. I rode the 1600 m down in a blaze. The winding road twisting through forests and opening up to mountains felt too exhilarating to consider the danger at 50 km/h.

Back at Villa Gaia to pick up my bags, I thought to have a quick nibble to eat. The hostess Michaela had other plans. Her suggestions took me on a culinary journey, with delicious serving after another. I lingered on delighting in the food, the wine, the dessert and the flavored grappas she made herself. Mango & Thyme, or Pepperoncono & Salvia. Delicious!

She offered that I could put up my tent in their garden. What a great end to a great day! The 4 km I have moved since last night has been a grand epicurean journey.Read more