Bill Menard is a recovering attorney who left private practice in Washington, DC over a decade ago to pursue his passion for all things Italian. With his wife, Suzy, they founded Bella Italia in 2003, a retail store in Bethesda, Maryland that specialized in artisinal products from Italy, including gourmet foods, hand painted ceramics and luxury housewares. In 2014, they relocated and rebranded, and are now Via Umbria in Georgetown, D.C. Bill and Suzy travel to Italy frequently to find new products to import and to broaden their understanding and appreciation for the Italian culture and lifestyle. In 2008 they purchased a villa in Umbria, just outside the village of Cannara, as a rental property. Those in search of la dolce vita should visit Via Umbria at 1525 Wisconsin Ave NW, or www.viaumbria.com.
This morning we said our goodbyes to the group of six with whom we spent the last week sharing our Umbria. As is always the case, the goodbyes are tinged with sadness, an abrupt, forced severing of the bonds of friendship that grow so easily and strong here in this country. At least we have a new group arriving this afternoon to look forward to. Continue reading Same Old?→
I’ve got some catching up to do. It’s not exactly ‘splainin’, just catching up.
It has been more than a week since we last posted, having taken the prior week “off” during our six week series of tours here in Italy. It was hardly a week’s vacation, though, instead a real whirlwind of travel. Planes, trains and automobiles. Continue reading Cellars Market→
My mother used to marvel over how fertile Italian soil is. She would say that everything grows here. And what’s true for the plant kingdom is doubly true in the realm of human relationships. In Italy friendships find fertile soil and grow quick and strong. Continue reading Fertile Ground→
Since we first visited Perugia nearly twenty years ago, it has been one of our favorite cities. Well, actually since we second visited it several years later did it became one of our favorite cities. Our first visit was one of those trips where you feel like shouting out “Mulligan” or “Do over” as you watch it recede in the rear view mirror. Continue reading Perugia→
We often talk about Cannara and our Umbrian villa as our new home. And after only a little more than four years here with every visit it really does feel like home. Yesterday was an excellent example of why. Continue reading Homemade Gelato→
It’s harvest time in Italy. If you read my previous post about our visit to the Cipolloni olive mill you’ll know that it’s not yet olive harvest time. The summer’s dry scorching weather has delayed the harvest from its traditional early October start until later in the month.
But the grape harvest, similarly affected by the summer heatwave is coming to a close. We have been able to watch and experience the harvest this year for the first time. It is a fascinating process to observe. Continue reading Grape Expectations→
Those of you who read this blog and our monthly newsletter Dolce Vita know that I often reminisce about Italian trips past with my parents. In fact, these stories come from just a handful of visits we made to this country together, back in the 1990s. But those memorable trips provided much to write about. Our weeklong visit to Chiusi, on the Tuscany-Umbria border in the fall of 2002 is one such story. Continue reading Echoes in the Garden→
When my children attended St. Albans School in Washington, DC, October 4 was a big day for them. In our house we knew it as the day that you brought your dog to school to get blessed. What we didn’t know, or appreciate, was that it was the Feast Day for St. Francis of Assisi. Continue reading Happy St. Francis Day!→
If it’s Wednesday, it must be Norcia. We have oft repeated that phrase, or something similar (“if it’s Tuesday, it must be Norcia” for example) during our food and wine tours. Because a trip to Norcia is so worthwhile and because a trip to Norcia requires devoting the better part of a day, it just makes sense.
The other day was, indeed, Wednesday. And so it must have been, and most assuredly was, Norcia. As well as Castelluccio. Continue reading Time Tunnel→
Weeeeeeeeeee’re baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! And, if you care to follow along, we’re back for six weeks. More or less. We’ll try to keep the posts short and sweet. Not a strong suit, I fear. Continue reading Perbacco? We’re Back, Oh!→
This morning we said our goodbyes to the group of six with whom we spent the last week sharing our Umbria. As is always the case, the goodbyes are tinged with sadness, an abrupt, forced severing of the bonds of friendship that grow so easily and strong here in this country. At least we have a new group arriving this afternoon to look forward to. Continue reading Same Old? 
