I was recently talking to an Italian friend of mine who has a house in the Sabina region. He was telling me of Casperia, a town that has been taken over by Anglo Saxon vacationers and homeowners.
I searched the internet, found photos of the town and a B & B owned by a British couple that was beautiful. They did a super architectural renovation with a to-die-for mosaic tile bathroom you would only dream about experiencing, furnished with antiques and oriental rugs. The price tag was a whopping 900 euros a week. As I read further, I was a little thrown off by the owners complaint that the comune wouldn't allow the permit for a balcony to be added to their ancient home. After understanding Italian culture and preservation, you wouldn't ask for such an eye sore.
So to satisfy my curiosity, I paid a visit to Casperia. I took a walk through the charming ancient town, built in circular layers with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
After my tour, I ended up at the only bar located inside the walls, Friend's Cafe for a glass of wine and to let the kids play in the square. I shared the outside umbrellas with several English speaking foreigners reading books, seeming not to notice the few loud beer guzzling men nearby and not to mention the 'Er mutanda' look-alike sitting behind me.
Suddenly I felt an odd sensation and one not particularly comforting. When I walked inside, the bar seemed more of a fish n' chips pub with mirrored beer signs and chalkboards boasting about their British beer selection on tap. I love all of that stuff too guys but in England and not in an ancient Sabina town.
Yes I did find a decent glass of wine, but I have one problem with this place. When I go outside of my country I expect full immersion, to eat like the locals and do as they would do. I don't look for an English tap beer when the Sabina region produces excellent wines. I'm just not sold on the idea of profitting from and catering to "us" foreigners.The Sabina region has a lot to offer, but not this place unless your in Anglo Saxon withdrawal! read more