La Piazza Blog & Stories
Staff Picks: Francesca Loomis
Staff Picks: Francesca Loomis
This is part 3 of our Staff Picks blog series! Here we outline the tours our US staff members have been on, what they liked most, and tours they hope to go on. I joined Ciclismo in March of 2014 and am excited to go on my first Ciclismo Classico bike tour this September to Croatia, a corner of the world I have never been to. I grew up in Massachusetts but have spent many years (when you add all the months together) in northern Italy (Bergamo) with my grandparents. However, I still have a lot to see and experience and am slowly crossing destinations off of my adventure bucket list! Here are my top tours:
1) La Bella Puglia
I am a foodie, so it’s no wonder that Puglia is at the top of my list. Pampanella (a soft creamy white spread), fava bean puree with wild chicory, orecchiette pasta, sweet and creamy chick peas soup with a slice of bread and a drop of spicy oil, home made jam pie, fresh strawberry gelato… I’ll just stop there.
La Bella Puglia
2) Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles
Close to “home”, Piedmont is a region I have never been to. It is one of Italy’s most celebrated gastronomic and enological regions, and as a foodie, how could I pass this up? Although, I have to say, my nonna makes the best vitello tonnato (sliced veal with a creamy tuna-flavored sauce)!
Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles
3) Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
This will be my first Ciclismo Classico trip! I will be joining the Sept. 12 tour and am excited to visit a country I have never been to. Join me on this adventure!
Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
4) Italian Lakes (coming soon!)
My family is from northern Italy, so it should come as no surprise that this tour makes it on my list. Details for this tour will be available soon, but I can say that you will visit Lake Orta, Maggiore, Como and Lugano.
I am happy to speak with you about this tour!
Call Me! 800-866-7314
or email me at [email protected]
5) La Bella Sicilia
Sicily remains on my top adventure bucket list. The Aeolian Islands are an adventure playground, and I would love to resurrect my sailing days and explore each of these islands. Thankfully, Ciclismo visits two of these bustling islands – Lipari and Salina.
La Bella Sicilia
1) La Bella Puglia
I am a foodie, so it’s no wonder that Puglia is at the top of my list. Pampanella (a soft creamy white spread), fava bean puree with wild chicory, orecchiette pasta, sweet and creamy chick peas soup with a slice of bread and a drop of spicy oil, home made jam pie, fresh strawberry gelato… I’ll just stop there.
La Bella Puglia
2) Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles
Close to “home”, Piedmont is a region I have never been to. It is one of Italy’s most celebrated gastronomic and enological regions, and as a foodie, how could I pass this up? Although, I have to say, my nonna makes the best vitello tonnato (sliced veal with a creamy tuna-flavored sauce)!
Piedmont: Land of Barolo & Truffles
3) Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
This will be my first Ciclismo Classico trip! I will be joining the Sept. 12 tour and am excited to visit a country I have never been to. Join me on this adventure!
Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula
4) Italian Lakes (coming soon!)
My family is from northern Italy, so it should come as no surprise that this tour makes it on my list. Details for this tour will be available soon, but I can say that you will visit Lake Orta, Maggiore, Como and Lugano.
I am happy to speak with you about this tour!
Call Me! 800-866-7314
or email me at [email protected]
5) La Bella Sicilia
Sicily remains on my top adventure bucket list. The Aeolian Islands are an adventure playground, and I would love to resurrect my sailing days and explore each of these islands. Thankfully, Ciclismo visits two of these bustling islands – Lipari and Salina.
La Bella Sicilia
