Italy Opens its Borders, 4 June 2020

Today Italy opened its borders. Last night we sat quietly and pondered its future.

It was 3 months ago, almost to the day, that we arrived here. This is the Langhe, a very special part of Piedmont nestled gently between the French and Swiss Alps and the Ligurian Sea. Famous for its wine, truffles and hazlenuts, this is also the land where the Slow Food movement was born.

On 9 March we began a collective experiment in slowing down. Italy commenced its lockdown in response to the rampaging coronavirus and the unacceptable escalation in associated deaths. It was the first country outside China to take drastic action in an attempt to “flatten the curve”. It would not be the last.

For years we have visited the Langhe and looked up at this hill. Now we have sat in this special place at a most auspicious time in history.

This hill has always enchanted me. It can be seen from quite a distance and last year we tried to reach it. But it is on private property and we could only gaze up through the vines and dream. This year we had a secret weapon. Marco, born and raised in Alba, is the epitome of an explorer. He created a company called Landmade so he could share this part of the world with other explorers. He knew of our love for this hill and he recounted stories from his childhood when he would wander up through the vines and play here. For many years the house was abandoned but on this occasion there were residents. He simply asked if they minded if we sat for a while on the hill. You never know unless you ask!

This land is achingly beautiful. In the years that I have roamed through it, I have come to understand that its true soul can only be discovered if you are willing to explore. Exploration means taking a new road without knowing the destination and letting life surprise you. 

I hope all travellers contemplate the true meaning of travel: it’s an invitation to understand and appreciate the culture of other people and be welcomed by their generous spirit; it’s an opportunity to discover a sense of place and the priceless value of our amazing planet; and it’s a journey of learning, growing and more deeply understanding yourself.