2016 ITALY Vico Equense 32 - Winding Our Way to a Pizza Party

We were anxious to get to our next hotel, the Villa Ketty in Vico Equense (a town we had not heard of until this trip). It was 37 miles (60 kilometers) southwest of the winery. But a tough 37 miles. It was dark and later than we anticipated to be on the road. We drove through Naples for what seemed like forever. Lots of twists and turns and a back-track or two. Our route was somewhat near the water, but too dark to really see.

We stopped for gas. The station was closed except for use of the pumps and it was a little intimidating with several fellows hanging around the gas station looking us over. This may just be my imagination, but I was happy when Giuseppe was safely back at the wheel and we were moving down the road.

When we finally got to the hotel, or I should say NEAR the hotel, we encountered a surprise and not a particularly good one. We took a windy narrow uphill cobblestone street toward the GPS checkered flag spot. But we ran out of road before arriving at our destination!!! Yes, there was another alley-like passage continuing to the hotel, but it was VERY narrow and involved tight Z-shaped bends. No way our 14-passenger van was going to fit on that one, no matter how skilled our driver was.

Chef called the hotel to find out what was up. They advised they would drive down and meet us in their mini car and mini pick-up. It took four trips to transport all our "stuff." Rather than wait for the next pick-up, we all decided to walk the Z-alley and meet our luggage at the hotel. 

It wasn't easy. Unfamiliar territory. Dark... only lights in doorways of a few abodes along the way. A mish-mash of dirt, rock, and cobblestone surface. A bit treacherous for our old eyes and balance issues. Even though we are walkers, the approximate quarter-mile trek was a challenge, but we all made it without mishap.



What a pleasant scene at the end of the trail. The hotel was a classic Italian villa and lovely. Definitely worth the walk. As it was dark, we could not really grasp the expansive view off the cliff, but the city night lights below sparkled. As the help took the baggage to our respective rooms, we had a welcome shot of limoncello on the spacious terrace.

After a moment to freshen up, out we went again to dinner. We were all stuffed, but couldn't bear the idea of missing a great meal. This time some walked the walk, but about half took the little "shuttle" back down to the van. Even those little vehicles had to go forward and reverse a few times to get around the "Z" area bends.

Giuseppe had no place to turn around at his stopping point, so we all hopped in the van and he backed down the windy quarter mile hill to a turn-around spot. Thank goodness he is a master driver. I'm sure it was still nerve-wracking for him. I know I was a wreck.

We arrived at the nearby ristorante about 1-½ hours late for our pizza party, but the chefs at Pizza a Metro da Giglio were ready for us. This place was expansive. Lots of tables filled with lots of families and couples. They had a huge viewing window of the kitchen with pizza ovens, meat slicing machines, and lots of other stainless steel equipment.

We were invited behind the viewing window to see the operation first hand. Chefs were kneading dough and building pizzas.

Not sure why the fellow above was such a grump, but he warmed up to us and made good pizza. Next we watched the pizzas (maybe 4-5 feet long) go into the ovens.

Sandy and I took a pose by the wood-burning ovens. Sandy is holding the long paddle they use to push and pull the pizzas out of the oven.
Back at our table we were served pizza squares. All you can eat, but we weren't much hungry after our indulgent previous meals that day.
 
We had three or four combos to accommodate our veg heads and carnivores.
There were wines and beers to compliment the pizza... their own wine vintage and an Italian beer we had not heard of before.
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It was all yummy and good.
At that point, we were sooooo ready to get back to the hotel. The day had been fun, but jam-packed, and we were quickly wilting. Sweet Giuseppe stopped at the bottom of the windy road and Z-alley, needlessly apologizing for he dare not go further this time. The mini-cars picked us up there. Some of our group walked, but Mike and I took the easy "chauffeured" way that night and for most of the rest of this hotel stay.