Euro-Trip: 2 (Rome to Villa)

(We are hoping that the Lippa family will want to see as much about Father Forte & Villavallelonga as possible, so prepare for lots of detail and photos.  I hope this will help you experience "Lippa-ville" and make you feel a little closer to your family roots  <3 )

NaDave woke up in Venice to start Day 2.  We took an early train to Rome, where we met Father Forte for lunch.  (Father Forte is the personal connection between Ralph's family & the people in Villa).  We then met Dora Lippa at Father Forte's place, and she drove us out to Villa (Dora is originally from Rochester, but now lives in Rome).  

We drove out to Villa from Rome on Christmas Eve afternoon (~2 hour drive).  When we arrived at the Hotel La Gardenia in Villa, we were greeted with several rounds of hugs & kisses, and when Nadine said she was a Lippa, they looked her up and down and we were in!  Before the sun went down, we drove to the cemetery to see all the Lippa gravestones.  A very awe-inspiring experience.  We then met Valentino at his bar (Dora's brother-in-law), where Dave saw the infamous poster of Villa at night!  We then headed back to the Hotel to clean up for dinner.

Before dinner, Dave convinced Nadine to walk to the overlook of the city...and the rest is history :-).  We returned hand-in-hand, and then sat down to a 3+ hour dinner of deliciousness with Dora, Valentino and their families.  Half of the table didn't speak English, but the food & wine made everyone friends.  The night ended with us trying to use the WiFi to share our news with the Lippa family.  It didn't work great, but the news was delivered.  Merry Christmas!

Early morning train on Dec 24 from Venice to Rome 

Dr Lippas preferred library

The street where Father Forte lives

Nadine walking north on Via Della Pilotta to find Father Forte's place

Via Della Pilotta looking south... Father Forte's house is on the right

Entrance to the Bible institute Father Forte works at

Waiting to meet Father Forte

Nadine and Father Forte (he's from Boston :P)

The courtyard of Father Forte's institute

Where we ate lunch with Father Forte

Nadine Lippa meets Dora Lippa

Lippas in Rome

Driving out to Villa

Olive Trees growing on the hillside

Towns built on rockcliffs

The first sign of Villavallelonga

Welcome to Villa!... the pilgrimage is complete!

Entrance to Villa with the valley in the background

Street map of villa!

La Gardenia Hotel... our home in Villa

FIrst stop was the Villa cemetery

Lippa graves were seen everywhere... and Nadine found a Cesidio Lippa (great grandfather name)

Another Cesidio Lippa

We next met Valentino at his little bar...and there's the posted Dave spotted?

Outside of Valentino's Bar (on the left)

Nighttime view of Villa... where Dave proposed to Nadine

She said YES!

First kiss as fiancee and fiance

Dinner table for Christmas eve dinner

Champagne toast for dinner (and the engagement!)

Exactly what we both want for Christmas

1st engaged kiss on December 25