A place to come back to

by Batel Galor (Israel)

I didn't expect to find Italy

It was our first trip after I had a baby, I was panicking that I've lost the life i wished for, a life of adventures. To calm down, I booked the following trip to Italy, along with our five months old baby. Between the Adriatic sea and the dramatic view of the mountains lies the unspoiled beautiful Molise. For me, it looks like the land of leprechauns and fairies. Our Agriturismo was a beautiful stone house in the middle of an enchanted wooded area, with a sinuous spring just near the back door. It was the first time I had seen a place I wanted to call home. We started to explore our surrounding, starting from the well-known National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, Which is one of the rare sites that obtained recognition for the natural aspects by UNESCO. Walk around the wildlife areas, and you can get close to just a touch away from the animals. The museum inside is worth a visit. Another site that was so impressive is Santuario dell' Addolorata - located in Castelpetroso, Isernia, Molise - making a dramatic look between the endless mountains and the sky. The chapels are shining bright at night with coloured glass windows, and spikes. To finish the day with an unforgettable evening; We drove to "La Grand Quercia". The owner of this Delicious, artistic place is a very colourful, cheerful man, name Mario. The restaurant is the perfect getaway, as it located in the breathtaking valley of Carovilli. The food is heavenly. They serve handmade dishes, using local products. I recommend the steak dishes as they serve the best meat I ate in Italy. I can assure you that we return to Molise many times after our first experience there, and it was never letting us down! We've made local connections to get the most out of the region in our many visits. Maybe one day we will have the honour to call this place our home.