Rick and I have been spending hours and hours online the last few weeks planning our "Finding Desiderio" trip to Castelfranco, Veneto, Italy, in May.
Rick's father, Desiderio Simioni, was born (1895) and raised in Castelfranco until he was 20 and came to Canada and the USA. We have been searching online for info on him and we are beginning to have some success. The city of Castelfranco has found records of his family and we are pursuing it further.
Meanwhile, the Facebook group "Simionis of the World" has become a daily habit. Everyday we are chatting with Simionis in Italy who are helping us with our trip plans, and in most cases, are part of our growing agenda. None of the over 100 Simionis we have "met" on Facebook are relatives!
Meanwhile, the Facebook group "Simionis of the World" has become a daily habit. Everyday we are chatting with Simionis in Italy who are helping us with our trip plans, and in most cases, are part of our growing agenda. None of the over 100 Simionis we have "met" on Facebook are relatives!
We fly into Milan and the adventure begins.
We'll be going to a Simioni wedding! And staying with a Simioni family whom we have never met! Then visiting another Simioni family a half hour away, before heading to Castelfranco for a week where we have rented an apartment.
We'll be going to a Simioni wedding! And staying with a Simioni family whom we have never met! Then visiting another Simioni family a half hour away, before heading to Castelfranco for a week where we have rented an apartment.
In Castelfranco families there are already at work helping us by searching records in churches. We'll be going to cemeteries and city offices, or wherever we can to try and find not only information on Desiderio, but also his sister who did not move to the USA. There should be some descendants somewhere.
From there we head back towards Milan where Lucas Simioni will meet us and take us to Lago Maggiore where he and Elena will be taking us on a grand tour of the lakes and mountains area. We are looking forward to meeting all of his family, including his brothers and cousin Sergio whom we chat and laugh with. We already know great food and molto vino are going to be involved!
From there we head down to Bologna where we are meeting, no, not a Simioni, but Cippi! The boyfriend of our Cali friend Stephanie! We are staying with him for a few days while he shows us the best of Bologna.
We are not through yet! From there we are going to Florence for a few days! And NO ONE Is meeting us! We'll actually be on our own to enjoy the beauty of the art and architecture of this ancient city.
Lastly, we head back to Lago Maggiore for a few days of natural beauty, and probably more good food and wine before departing from Milan for our return to California.
Somehow we have been able to accommodate most everyone's schedules. whew. That took more than a few emails! And, it looks like we have worked this out now so that we can manage it all without renting a car... that hasn't been easy either. Trains and friends! We should be able to pick one a vehicle somewhere should we find we want one.
We have just about narrowed down all our lodging, be it homes, hotels, apartments, or B&B's. Yet even THAT has been an adventure. The owner of the B&B at Lago Maggiore just happens to be visiting San Diego this week and we are planning a dinner together here!
We love the internet! It's been such an amazing tool!
We'll see how this trip all comes out in the end......
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