Travel, Food, Style, Language - Sharing the Passion for all Things Italian
Click to Learn more about Italian Encounters' inaugural
Abruzzo: A Feast for the Senses 13-day tour from 29 Aug - 10 Sept 2012
Experience Abruzzo's authentic culture, traditions & festivals, gastronomic delights, heritage & unspoilt beauty
Introduction....
They say a picture paints a thousand words, so hopefully my photos have begun to tell you how much I adore Italia!! However, I thought I should introduce myself & explain my love for all things Italian.....
I'm Canadian but have lived in Australia (Melbourne) for almost 12 years. I've been fortunate to have travelled most of my life and enjoy it so much I've built my career around International Leisure Tourism. However my passion for Italy was secured 6 years ago when my best friend, Francesca, married a fabulous Italian man in Tuscany. I've been fortunate to visit her & her family (her parents, who had become my Aussie family, moved back to Italy to be closer to her) every year for the past 6 years - twice last year, as I returned for the christening of their 1st child,my god-daughter :)
Already counting down until my next visit...... Christmas for 3 weeks!!
Comments to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Italian Encounters on -
Ciao Paddy,
Canada, Australia & Italy - you have been/are living in some of the best places in the world. How lucky you are to travel to Italy every year! I have been to Italy probably about 7 times and lived there once for 9 months. My parents are Italian - they migrated here many years ago. There are so many places to visit in the world and yet I am always drawn back to Italy. My Husband and I are planning to travel for a year + toward the end of next year - with alot of time to be spent in Italy.
Thank you for all your fabulous photos - You've captured Marianna's heart - she is a keen photographer, it's hard to keep a camera out of her hands :-).
We have some other keen Italophiles in Melbourne - Kalli in particular. I will be in Melbourne the weekend of October 8 & 9 and am thinking of organising a little get together of other Italian Encounter members at a coffee shop on the Sunday morning perhaps - would you be interested?
A presto
Liana
PS there may be some synergies for us with your business and ours - look forward to knowing more.
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Permalink Reply by Marianna on -
Ciao Paddy
Thank you for sharing a little bit of your story...it's amazing that you can get to Italy every year. I suppose the connection with family and friends is a strong motivation. My extended family still lives in the Abruzzo region of Italy and I try to go back to see them as often as I can. I returned from a six month trip last October, with five DVDs full of photos...and I still haven't shaken off the bug!
Like you, I'm hooked on everything Italian! In creating Italian Encounters we aim to achieve a twofold mission: 1) meet amazing people like you who understand an italophile's DNA, and 2) provide Italian Encounters members and Facebook fans the opportunity to share stories, photos, experiences, etc.
A presto
Marianna
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Permalink Reply by Paddy McLeod on -
Ciao Marianna,
With such beautiful scenery & people, i'm surprised you came back with only 5 DVD's of photos! Very jealous that you were there for 6 months! I would love to stay for an extended period & regret that I didn't last October when I had the chance :(
It is fantastic that you & Liana created Italian Encounters as it is a great platform to connect with people who share an interest in all things Italian! As you have probably already guessed I adore Italy - the culture, the people, the food & wine (probably adore these too much!) & the language (although I still struggle even after studying!) . I even miss the music, but I have a good friend who is program manager at Radio Number One, so I listen online to work on my Italian & listen to some fantastic Italian artists!
Look forward to seeing more of your photos & hearing your stories!
A presto,
Paddy
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Permalink Reply by Marianna on
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Ciao Paddy
Quando è bello e tranquillo Assisi. Ci sono stata nel 2006; come era quasi Natale, vi erano molte decorazioni di strada e un enorme presepe all'aperto. Voglio tanto tornarci. Vedi le mie foto sopra questo sito.
Paddy, I don't know how often you access Facebook, but I regularly post my photos on the Italian Encounters page.
A presto
Marianna
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Permalink Reply by Kalli Pulos on -
Hey Paddy,
Liana had thought it would be a good idea for us to get together when she was in Melbourne, but as chance would have it, I was in Sydney that weekend!
While I am Greek-born, I was married to a French man and always feel so much more French and Italian thanI do Greek...weird, but there it is!
Would you like to connect some time?
Let me know and we can exchange contact details.
ciao ciao,
Kalli
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Permalink Reply by Paddy McLeod on
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Ciao Kalli!
It would have been lovely to meet when Liana was in town - hopefully we can organize it next time!
Sounds like you have an interesting background - Greek, French & Italian! My parents are English & Irish so I was fortunate to travel to Europe often when I was growing up. I've always liked Italy, but have completely fallen in love with it since spending more time there! If I could move there I would!
Would be great to meet sometime. I live in East St Kilda but always happy to go whereever there is a good coffee... or vino!
Have a good weekend,
Paddy :)
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Permalink Reply by Liana on -
Hi Paddy, Did you and Kalli meet up?
Have you left for Italy yet?
Ciao
Liana
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Permalink Reply by Kalli Pulos on
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Hi Paddy,
I'm in South Yarra, so not too far. A couple of good bars around here - Cosi, Bond St. Or over your way...
My number is 0402 463157.
Feel free to give me a call some time.
I'd love to get some more members in Melbourne and see if we can create some events like in Sydney!
cheers,
Kalli
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Permalink Reply by Kalli Pulos on
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Not yet, Liana. I have given her my number, but not heard from her yet. All in good time-:)
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Permalink Reply by Paddy McLeod on
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Ciao Kalli & Liana!
Apologies for not replying sooner! I went on a mini holiday to the Cook Islands last Friday so the week prior was a bit crazy getting things done. Came back this Wednesday & was straight into social & racing events so feeling a bit exhausted!
Kalli - love to catchup next week if you are free? Any day other than Monday works for me. If you are free, let me know what day/time works for you & we can sort out where to meet. My mobile is 0411 789 429.
Liana - haven't left for Italy yet :( I leave Dec 14th - 5 weeks from next Tuesday, not that i'm counting!! :)
Have a great weekend!
a presto,
Paddy
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Permalink Reply by Marianna on
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Ciao Paddy
So you'll be spending Christmas in Italy - should be wonderful. How long will you be spending overseas?
I'm going over in late January for 4 weeks....can't wait. I hope I get to see snow! I've yet to finalise my itinerary; for the most part I'll be catching up with friends and relatives and looking into some tour options for Italian Encounters to launch next year.
Have a wonderful trip
Marianna
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