Ciao Italy!

It’s hard to believe that we’re already a week into our HolidayMax bus tour and nearly three weeks into our grand European adventure! Time truly flies when every day brings a new postcard perfect destination, unexpected laughs, and a bus full of new friends turning into a travel family.

Today, we’ve just made the journey from Innsbruck, Austria to Montecatini, Italy, and the contrast couldn’t be more striking. Leaving Innsbruck this morning, we said goodbye to the crisp mountain air, dramatic peaks, and charming Tyrolean rooftops. But as the bus wound its way south through the Brenner Pass, the scenery began to change. The sharp alpine ridges softened into rolling green hills, the signs changed from German to Italian, and suddenly we were in Modena, in the heart of Emilia Romagna, land of balsamic vinegar, Pavarotti, and Ferraris.

On our way to Montecatini, we made a rewarding stop at Acetaia Villa San Donnino near Modena; a hidden gem for food lovers and anyone curious about traditional Italian craftsmanship. This family run acetaia has been producing Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena for generations. Set in a beautiful early 20th century villa, it offered an inviting and authentic atmosphere from the moment we arrived.

We were shown the aging barrels and given a detailed explanation of the production process; from cooking the grape must to the slow aging in different types of wood. The care and tradition behind every bottle were clear.

The tasting was the highlight: we sampled vinegars aged 6, 12, and 25 years, finishing with a surprisingly delicious treat; 25-year balsamic vinegar drizzled over vanilla gelato. It was a short stop, but a memorable one, and a perfect way to experience a unique part of Emilia-Romagna’s culinary heritage en route to Montecatini.

After an average dinner near Piazza della Signoria with some fellow travellers from our tour group, the evening took an unexpectedly fun turn. As we wandered through the square, full of post dinner chatter and energy, we came across a beautifully lit merry go round. Without overthinking it, we all jumped on,  aughing like kids as we spun around to the sound of cheerful music. It wasn’t anything fancy, but that spontaneous ride turned a forgettable meal into a night we’ll probably talk about for years.