“Portami altro prosecco per favore.” ― Will
Our first European trip was split into two legs. The first was our time spent in Rome being architectural nerds, consuming grotesque volumes of pasta, and being herded like cattle throughout the Vatican. This second leg was unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before and we have been dying to go back and convince friends to come with us. This magical place is “Prosecco Road.“
Let’s talk about life lessons, how the universe doesn’t care where you learn them, and if navigating and working through bureaucracy was an Olympic sport similar to the summer kayak salom I would have won more gold medals than any other person on this planet ever. I have generational talent at navigating red tape and hurdle such obstacles with ease.
If this next part bores you, one: ouch, two: feel free to skip until you see “And we were on our way…”
Anyway, I bring this up because in order to get to Prosecco Road you have to train or drive your way north of Venice. We arrived at the Venice airport, after a lovely highspeed train from Rome, to pick up our rental from Hertz, which they charged my card for and booked several months prior to this trip mind you. Here’s a travel tip from Will, if you need to rent a car MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT ON THE DNR (DO NOT RENT) LIST. Otherwise, you may arrive in Venice and they will not let you drive away with your fun little rental but they will still keep your money… I won’t bore you with the details of how I managed to navigate several international phone calls with offices in Miami and St. Paul, debt service web portals, and paid off a stupid rental debt from years prior to Thrifty, that was still managing to screw me over, and managed to get my name off the DNR list within less than 1.5 hours. Wifey was not as impressed in the moment because she was ready to get out of there. Now, the only “advice” or “help” that the Hertz customer help desk (which is a complete oxymoron) offered was to submit an email to a random one-off customer service Hertz email to get more details on the DNR issue because the front desk has no details to give on why I was on the list. The average turnaround time for responses to that email was… well, never. We never received a response.
Stick with me here, homestretch.
After conquering the sea of red tape I went back to the desk with a level of confidence as if I just won the f&%$*!& Super Bowl. It was a different rep as I handed my passport over, she pulled my reservation, and there was no alert for DNR. The previous rep came out of the shadows and was shocked to find me back seemingly thinking I was trying to use someone different to reach a better outcome than the one she delivered. She waltzed over only to realize that my reservation was being processed. Mouth agape she asked if there was a DNR alert from her coworker. When her coworker confirmed I was not on the DNR list she immediately wanted to know how I managed to accomplish this miracle. I told her I was very good at navigating red tape.
Here is the life lesson guys, never do a chargeback on a transaction where you had to input your driver’s license information. I received the key to our fancy electric Polestar, my first time driving an electric vehicle…
And we were on our way…
It was my first time driving internationally and it was an experience. Sure drivers in Dallas are crazy, but crazy in the sense that they swerve lanes willynilly with no regard for human life. Italians drive as if they are racing from the freakin grim reaper. Yet even though I was being a cautious driver I hit the… gas?… uhh, I hit the… pedal? I dunno y’all it’s an electric car and it went fast when I wanted it to. Even driving as fast as I did I was easily getting passed but it was no problem because the highway was pristine and every driver was cordial. It was a gloomy rainy day when we arrived in the area of Arfanta province. We couldn’t really make out the landscape but once we got to our hotel we honestly couldn’t believe this place was real.
No, I will not be sharing the location of this amazing hotel, because this is my wife and I’s best kept secret…. but if you really want to know DM me on insta and i’ll tell you.
This area we stayed in was so peaceful. I have a pretty nontstop mind, real “idle hands something something devils work” but replace hands with brain and replace devil with anxiety. However, this was one of the few times where my mind was able to slow down and really soak in every inch of beauty. I was able to unclench, loosen up, and enjoy a part of the trip where my environment was actively soothing my soul and telling me to “take it easy dude”.
We could hear the church bells ringing within the valley, even the air felt more pure than back home. Everything was green. It led to some of my favorite film shots I’ve taken since getting into the hobby.
Il Capitello Ristorante
When we arrived at our hotel in Arfanta I had not set up any dinner reservation before arrival. This is usually a cardinal sin in my book but it’s hard to make international calls to book dinners 4 months in advance alongside a language barrier. Our hotel host, Renate, was the best host ever. EVER. She took the liberty to call the restaurant and book us a table. Let me tell you, this place set the standard for our time in Prosecco Road. Fresh dishes, delicious wine, and one of my favorite tiramisus of the entire trip.
Vigne Matte
Driving around the Prosecco Road area can be a smidge intimidating. There are tractors pulling trailers of grapes everywhere so make sure you are focused when driving the dirt roads around the windy hills when you make your way to Vigne Matte. This was our first winery visit and I had reserved a tasting but when we arrived there was no one around. No other guests, no reception nothin. After a few minutes, someone walked over and asked if we could be assisted I showed my confirmation for our tasting and this individual took it upon themselves to give us the tour and tasting. Yeah, we had the whole place to ourselves, we got to see the entire process and dive into the depths of the cellar buried within their hill. The provided some snackies alongside our tasting and we chatted wine with our host, told stories, and enjoyed the beautiful countryside.
Molinetto della Croda
Don’t think about it, just type this into google and follow the directions for a fun stop to stretch and walk around while taking cutesy pictures.
Hotel Restaurant Da Tullio
Once again, our hotel host Renate saved the day. Earlier that morning she asked if we would like dinner at a different restaurant and told us before we left that she would make another reservation. After visiting Molinetto I received a WhatsApp message informing us the restaurant was closed and we wouldn’t be having dinner there because she made a separate reservation at another restaurant. THIS. IS. HOSPITALITY. Holy cow. A wide variety of labels to choose from to match their open-fire grill is the play here. Make sure to get a table outside when the weather is nice to view the twinkling lights in the distance.
Cartizze PDC
Guys. I’ve never had Prosecco as good as this. Its the best. No. Seriously. Have you ever visited a winery and considered having that wine shipped internationally to your home over 5,000 miles away? That’s how incredible this place was. The tour of their 100+ year old vines, the informative tasting, and honestly the closest thing to heaven on earth you can get with beautiful landscapes. This place is absolutely worth visiting every time you visit Prosecco Road.
Collina del Cartizze DOCG
As you leave Cartizze PDC visit this iconic spot. Park your rental between the vines and walk up the hill. Sign the guestbook in the small cottage as you work your way up to the Prosecco vending machines. Bottles, glassware, meats and cheeses are all available and all delicious. Grab your picnic and continue up to a table and drink in the views.
Osteria alla Terrazza
Once you’ve had your snackies and more prosecco its time for real lunch. Best Lasagna i’ve ever had. This restaurant is split in half with inside dining on once side of the super tiny street with multiple blindspots before spotting pedestrians, and the outdoor seating which has the best views. Risk your limbs and sit outside and enjoy the scenery.
Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi
From Valdobiadene go on a road trip through the foots of the Dolomites. We took our rental through the mountain villages, enjoyed the Piave river, and stopped for a quick “hike” in Ponte nelle Alpi for some photos. This highway will wrap around and bring you back right into Arfanta.
Ristorante La Corte
The last restaurant we visited was a great way to cap off our trip. This place originally had a Michelin star and has been working with a vengeance to return that star to their restaurant. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and offered plenty of recommendations on wine pairings. I don’t have much to offer you except for a picture of our menu because, well, we ate everything and left no trace. Well… my wife left no trace, I left visible evidence because of my raccoon-like fingers. While we ate our meal we were able to charge our rental with their private charging station, make sure to ask and they will reserve it for you!
While visiting Rome and other metropolitan areas was exhilarating and an adventure for me and my wife, we will never forget our time in Prosecco Road and will find any reason to make our way back to this heaven on earth. If you need additional tips hit me up on insta, or if you need someone to plan and be your tour guide then we will absolutely go with you.
Cheers Y’all,
Will
W Is For Will 
Leave a reply to Debrief – Rome – W Is For Will Cancel reply