This is a wintertime story about a summertime adventure.
For a year or more, I had been hearing about the Antique Faire in Arezzo. The problem was, it is held for only one weekend each month in the high season, and I seemed to miss it by a week or less on each visit.
The first week of August, however, I found myself in Siena signing papers for my business partner. I had not yet made it to either of our properties, it was a Saturday, and I was as adrift as you can be on a business trip.
So I took the leap (driving to an Italian city center for the first time is always a "leap").
I should point out that my only previous encounter with Arezzo was having skirted the industrial suburb on the way to a potential client with a home further east, near Sansepolcro (a lovely area as well). Skirting an Italian city is rarely pleasant, and NEVER indicative of the spirit or historical center of the city. I had Googled the route to the town center, it was convoluted, but I found a car park near where I thought the market was. I parked, changed clothes in the car (it was a tad hotter in Arezzo) and followed the foot traffic.
Little did I know….the entire center of the city was lined with vendors on the steep streets (I did not find the piazza, where the market is reputed to be held, until after lunch). By this time I had purchased an antique mirror, several antique medieval keys, and some old books on a steep hill (the color red was my only criteria).
And then I was doomed. There is something compelling about someone's mother rolling fresh handmade pici on the sidewalk. I don't know. I HAD to eat there.
Right off of the piazza (which was so hot that only the purveyors of heavy antiques, like wardrobes, were stuck)….was a totally packed restaurant. But heck, I was in no hurry.
After lunch, I ventured out again. Found a great ironwork store. My purchases were frugal and sensible, I think that I spent no more than 200 Euros. But oh, the finds. As I made my way back to the car park, followed by a cute but sweaty guy with the mirror, a couple "just married" in the church on the hill walked through the street, followed closely by two photographers, one of whom they had paid. What a quintessential Italian day.
Ciao for now!
About Carrara, LLC
Carrara partners with owners of luxury vacation homes in Italy, managing the conversion and marketing of these beautiful homes to fractional, shared ownership vacation properties. We also represent buyers seeking the lifestyle of a European home and the convenience of a professionally managed, shared investment.
For more information about our properties:
Casi di Sotto
Casa in Volpaia
