• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pinch and Swirl
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Travel » Italy » Piedmont

    Driving in Italy and Sampling Cheese

    Published: Sep 21, 2011 · Modified: Mar 22, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 5 Comments

    With some apprehension, we turn the iginition key and drive out of Bologna. It turns out that italian drivers are flesh and blood - just reckless. And you know what? It's fun to drive here, intense, but fun.

    ferrari-italy

    italy-rental-car

    kilometers-per-hour

    Kilometers, silly!

    We arrive safe and sound in Bra, Italy. We're here for the Slow Food cheese festival. Every other year, many countries gather to share hundreds of cheeses with people like us - cheese lovers.

    We start in the Great Hall of Cheese - this is the peaceful, polished area of the event. Buy a few tickets that you exchange for cheese and wine; walk up to the display and point; sit at a little table to taste your cheese and drink your wine. We decide on cheeses from France with a glass of Italian Barbaresco. Does that break a rule? Who cares! Delicious.

    bra-great-hall-of-cheese

    marissa-at-bra-cheese-festival

    cheese-samples

    Outside the Great Hall you'll have to use your elbows. BUT there are hundreds of incredible cheeses from so many countries to try for free: France, Italy, UK, Poland, USA (we were excited to see Cow Girl Creamery from California and Rogue Creamery from Oregon), and so many more.

    bra-cheese-festival-booths

    italian-cheesemaker

    These fellows enjoy a ready made audience and we enjoy them...

    bra-festival-entertainment

    With bellies full of cheese, we're off to a little farm in Asti...

    If this has you feeling hungry for authentic Italian food, try one of these recipes at home:

    • Italian Meatballs
    • Pasta e Fagioli
    • Bolognese Sauce
    • Italian Pasta Salad
    • Pasta Aglio e Olio

    More Piedmont

    • Bagna Cauda
    • The Harvest, Stomping Grapes, and Eating Lunch
    • Royal Turin and the National Cinema Museum
    • The Wines of Asti

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Cari Bailey says

      September 30, 2011 at 9:46 pm

      I will show Marshall the car!
      Looks pretty yummy!

      Reply
    2. Ed says

      September 22, 2011 at 7:38 am

      MMmmmmm........... 458 Italia!

      Reply
      • marissa says

        September 22, 2011 at 9:40 am

        The driver was on the phone next to the car - I stepped around the corner and snapped that shot. Don't want to look like a tourist! 🙂

        Reply
    3. TONI L GODMAN says

      September 22, 2011 at 4:02 am

      First Pix....I'd say you were driving the "new version" of the BAT MOBILE!
      Last Pix.....Is that YOU Marissa on the left playing the guitar on the outside veranda?

      Reply
      • marissa says

        September 22, 2011 at 9:03 am

        Yes, I've learned to play guitar. 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    The best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and that’s just what you’ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks. Learn more →

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    12 Recipes to Know by Heart Book Cover
    Subscribe for Free E-Cookbook

    Reader Favorites

    • Oven Roasted Crispy Pork Belly
    • Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Homemade Ramen Noodles
    • Homemade Tonic Water
    • Shrimp Tacos
    • Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Gyro Meat Recipe
    • Pork Belly Ramen
    • Grilled Lamb Chops

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Meet Marissa
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 PinchandSwirl

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Email