Each month we endeavor to highlight a place of interest around the globe that we consider as unique as Borgo di Vagli. The tips are selected as they either show respect for the environment, nature, and architectural beauty or are deeply indigenous to their individual origin.
This month’s tip is a little abstract…
A couple of weeks ago, we had the pleasure of hosting Tereza, a very pleasant and interesting lady from Salvador Bahia.
Tereza, first learned about the Hamlet in Exame, a Brazilian publication, and booked a Discovery Visit after months of numerous emails and Facebook messages between herself and Fulvio who speaks excellent Portuguese.
On the designated day of her arrival, Fulvio had arranged to have dinner with Tereza at the Trattora. However, when 8 o’clock came there was no sign of Tereza. 9’oclock.. still no sign of Tereza. Fulvio thought the delay was simply due to the Brazilian’s loose interpretation of punctuality, however his assumption was soon proved wrong…
By mid evening we received a call from an Italian gentleman who informed Fulvio that Tereza had had a car accident close to Lake Trasimeno. Some very caring locals were quickly on the scene and called for an ambulance and the Carabinieri and in a matter of minutes Tereza was taken to a nearby hospital.
Fulvio, our hero, drove as fast as is legally possible and met Tereza at the emergency ward.
As you can well imagine, this was not how Fulvio and Tereza were expecting their first meeting to be… Fortunately, all is well that ends well, Tereza suffered no injuries and was released from hospital the following morning after a thorough check up - to begin her Tuscan experience at Borgo di Vagli.
Fulvio got in touch with Tereza’s “saviors” and as a way of thanking them for their kindness and help invited them to join him and Tereza for dinner in the Hamlet’s trattoria.
The evening was a huge success and long lasting friendships were formed. Over dinner the "rescuers" confessed how much they had dreamt of going to Brazil and in particular to Bahia so it is of no surprise that they now have an open invitation to stay with Tereza – while others laughingly said how they wouldn’t mind just disappearing for a while and get pleasantly lost on the many beaches of Brazil…
So here is a taste of what that might be like…
How about a few nights in the renouned Pousada do Carmo located in the heart of the UNESCO cultural center, Pelourinho. With it's incredible number of churches in the traditional Portuguese style, it is a particularly typical part of Salvador as well as being the stage for the Brazilian novel by Jorge Amado "Dona Flor e seus dois maridos" and cult movie by Bruno Barreto.
Amongst them the stunningly beautiful and celebrated is
São Francisco Church and Convent
with it's exuberant inner decoration.
Whereas the sun and sand seekers should head to the south of Salvador Trancoso
with its famous square called "quadrado".
where all village life takes place (from cafès to football matches, from nice restaurants to Capoeira - the typical dance/fight from Bahia).
In Trancoso the beautiful Pousada Estrela d'Agua, founded by Gal Costa, one of the most renown Brazilian singers.
In Itacarè another wonderful beach hotel called Xtcai the quintessence of Bahia beaches.
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