Mark Dong Photography

“Montelfalco..."

In April of 2018, I returned to Italy, but this time I joined another PhotoVenture group with my photographer friend Kenny Kim. This was more of a “Hands On” - "FOODIE  Experience”  - PhotoVenture.  We met up in Rome, but our home base was the beautiful Palazzo Bontadosi Hotel & Spa in Montefalco. We traveled throughout Umbria beginning in Orvieto, for a private cooking class, then on to a goat farm in Bevagna, a gelato maker in Montefalco, a jaunt to Spello for lunch, a gourmet dinner in Cortona, a visit to the Metinella Winery in Montepuciano for a Wine Tasting & Tour, AND finally, a "Fabulous Feast" in Trevi.   

Before we move on to see my trip, I would FIRST like to acknowledge my friend, the well known photographer and creator of the PhotoVenture, KENNY KIM.   (See http://www.kennykim.com )  It is he, to whom we are all indebted for the fabulous group photos and exceptional individual photos of each of us: posing for him, interacting with others, or just wandering the streets.

Below, I have put together some of my photographs of my travels, mixed with some photographs from Kenny Kim, as well as some thoughts about the places we visited.  I hope you enjoy it.  

One of the MOST fun experiences of this trip was going to Orvieto, for a private cooking class to learn to make fresh handmade pasta and sauce.  It is also wonderful to have all of Kenny Kim's photographs of the class as it happened.  It makes it so much more fun to look back on those incredibly fun moments.  

The private cooking class was held at the Chef’s Agriturismo in beautiful Orvieto!  (I took the video footage on my iPhone).

               

The NEXT day it was off to Bevagna to meet a local shepard and wine maker who shared the traditions of cheese making in the Umbrian region, including meeting his goats and tromping through their pasture.  Afterwards, we tasted the cheeses, and cured meats, paired with their delicious local wine.

Then, a quick stop to meet a Gelato Maker, and learn the ART of making the Italian Ice Cream!

The next day we went  to Spello for a colorful Wine Tasting lunch, on BEAUTIFUL chargers (plates), at the ENOTECA PROPERZIO, and then, back to explore Montefalco for dinner.

Then, it was back to Montefalco for Dinner at Il Verziere, an EXTRAORDINARY “musical” pizza restaurant.

The next day it was off to Cortona for a wonderful visit and dinner in another UNIQUE setting - The Ristorante La Loggetta!  

The next day was a superb Wine Tasting & Pairing, along with a private tour of the wine making facility, at the beautiful Metinella Winery in Montepuciano.

AND, finally, our Last Wine tasting & Pairing was a fabulous feast in Trevi, at La Cucina, after observing a Truffle hunt!   

I spent my last few days in Venice visiting local friends and ran into a couple of old mates from my initial Sacramento Italian classes... so we got together for dinner one night and practiced our Italian!

It was a wonderful adventure and I am very grateful that I am able to make these trips every year.  My love and thanks to everyone who made it possible.  And, as always, a special thanks to Kenny Kim (Our Tour Leader/Organizer) and Max Brunelli (Our Tour Guide, driver, and translator) for another wonderful Photoventure!