Our gracious Italian hosts have put together the most amazing itinerary for our team. In the weeks ahead, we’ll start our journey in Como and travel to Varese, Brianza, Bergamo and Milan. Each week, we’ll do our best to keep up the blogging schedule to share photos and stories from our adventures. Here’s just a brief snapshot of what we’re looking forward to!

Itinerary at a Glance:

11 presentations to Rotary Clubs in Italy District 2040

Attending the Rotary District Conference

4 Vocational Days with matches in the wine industry, fashion marketing, interior design and horticulture

Staying with host families in each city

Tours including:

• Raviolificio Scoiattolo (Italian pasta producer)
• Istituto Europeo del Design (fashion)
• Flight by seaplane on Lake Como
• Palio delle Contrade (horse race)
• Tour of Maggiore Lake and Santa Caterina del Sasso
• Fratelli Rossetti (shoe maker) and Rancilio (coffee machine producer)
• Leonardo da Vinci’s dams and ferry
• Museum of the Territory
• Museo della Cattedrale di Monza
• Sante Pizzol-Missaglia glass workshop
• Vineyard and Cantina “La Costa” Montevecchia
• Castello Sforzesco
• The opera at La Scala Theatre

The first Grand Prix of Italy was disputed on September 4, 1921 in Montichiari in the province of Brescia, on a circuit made from public roads. The following year was built the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza and since then the race takes place on the track of Monza, with the exception of four editions (1937, 1947, 1948 and 1980).

This sport event is taking place from September 7 to 9 this year in Monza, Lombardia, Italy and is suitable for those who are 13 and older. For more information, please visit http://www.gpitalia.it/index.asp.

Tickets are sold on line at http://www.gpitalia.it/index.asp. A good reference site for the event is http://www.monzanet.it/en.

Tourist Information Center:
IAT Monza – Piazza Carducci 2, Monza
Phone: +39 039 323222

The oldest commemorations of the Battle of Legnano date back to 1393, although the Palio, in its current form, began to be played since 1935.

This historical event happens every year on the same weekend in Legnano, Lombardia, Italy, and is suitable for all ages. It is taken place on May 27, 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.paliodilegnano.it/.

Before the Palio  a parade is held through the streets with about 1,000 participants in medieval costumes, whose clothing, shields, etc.. closely reflect those of the twelfth century. Tickets for the events are sold on site at the Legnano districts offices.

Tourist Information Center:
IAT Legnano – Piazza San Magno 9 Legnano
Phone:+39 0331925511

• Meeting with Rotary District Governor Chuck Root
• Preparing our team presentation and performance
• Selecting brochure and business card designs
• Choosing uniforms, name badges and gifts
• Posing for team photos and individual head shots
• Practicing our Italian speaking skills at a local Italian restaurant

The retreat provided a fun opportunity to get to know one another and spend the weekend chatting in Italian. Throughout the course of the retreat, we each shared research on different aspects of Italian language, food, and culture. One of the highlights was the history of Panettone, a type of sweet bread loaf from Milan, which our alternate team leader, Marisa Fink baked for everyone to try. è squisito!

Elissa lined up the team for a group photo, individual head shots, and some very fun candid portraits. The photos will be used on our business cards and brochures which Elissa designed.

Angela shared a preview of our presentation using Prezi, a zooming presentation editor. Kelly reported on name badges and travel insurance. And finally, the team discussed uniforms at great length. (When you’re visiting a fashion capital, it takes time to decide on matching outfits.)

We were delighted to have Monica Rountree, Italian language instructor at Rogue Community College, join us for dinner to offer a little coaching on speaking la bella lingua italiana. 

The wonderful owners at Rosario’s Italian Restaurant were even kind enough to join us for a few minutes and offer tips on traveling in Milan.

Thanks to Jessica, our team wine connoisseur, we managed to squeeze in a little time for wine tasting and education at Paschal Winery & Vineyard. Each of us shared a brief presentation in Italian about the distinct regions of northern Italy we’ll soon be visiting.

The team practices presenting in Italian

Saluting a great team at Paschal Winery & Vineyard

Rotary District Governor Chuck Root discussed Rotary International’s worldwide volunteer efforts, club members’ commitment to Service Above Self, and the programs and services that Rotary operates in countries and communities around the globe. We all feel very fortunate to be part of the Rotary Group Study Exchange and we’re eager (and almost ready) to embark on our journey!

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Abrorio rice

1 Small onion, finely diced

1 Glass of dry white wine

2 Quarts of beed stock

1 Cup Pecorino Romano cheese

1 Pinch of Saffron threads

5 tbs Butter

Directions:

In a large sauce pan melt 2 tbs of the butter, add the onions and cook until translucent

Add the rice and cook until translucent

Pour in the glass of wine and cooked until reduced.

Warm the beef stock and ladle in a cup or two at a time..it is important to ensure that the rice is able to absorb all of the liquids.  Once the rice is creamy and al dente, remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper.

Stir in the remaining butter and pecorino-romano cheese.  Serve immediately.

The outbound team from Rotary District 5110 in Oregon to Rotary District 2040 Lombardia, Italy has been selected!

Rick Clark of the Medford Rogue Club will lead our team; his alternate is Marisa Fink of Roseburg Noon. Our team members are: Kelly Brainard from Ashland, Jessica Clements from Ashland, Elissa Olson from Roseburg, and Angela Seits from Eugene. Our alternate team members are Kelley Minty Morris from Klamath Falls and Jared Mason Gere from Eugene.

The team departs May 18, 2012. Now the fun of preparing begins!