ITALY: Italian Safari

[WAB]

We just returned from a great visit to Italy. The trip began with a few days in Rome. Rome is always a great place to visit!

We had the great pleasure of spending an evening with fellow AH’er @Phil Giordano while in Rome. If you find yourself in Rome, be sure to visit his gun shop!

After three days in Rome we were picked up by our Italian Safaris guide Tomaso. Tomaso is an architect and art dealer from Turin. He has an extensive knowledge of history, culture, design and art which added greatly to our visit. He is a keen hunter himself and is truly passionate in his pursuit of chamois.

A short two and a half hour drive took us back in time hundreds of years. We found ourselves on the private hunting estate of an aristocratic family. The estate is preserved in its ancient splendor.

A normal day was up early for a hunt of two to three hours followed by breakfast. Excursions were planned during the day and then another two to three hour hunt in the evening, followed by dinner. Most of the hunting was done from high seats.

 

[WAB]

Here are some typical photos of the terrain we were hunting.

On the morning of the second day I was very fortunate to harvest a great boar.

This was followed on the evening of the third day by a very old roe buck.

My wife was able to cook with the chef preparing the game we harvested along with many other traditional foods.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Wab, Where is the hunting estate near ?

 

[WAB]

The estate is an important breeder of chianina cattle. These are an ancient Roman breed prized for their t-bones which are the centerpiece of bisteca alla fiorentina.

One of our outings was to an olive oil producer. We had lunch with the owner, Luca, sampling his oil and local wines. It turns out he is a passionate hunter and we were able to visit his home and meet his drahthaars.

 

[WAB]

We had a private tour and wine tasting lunch at an ancient castle of the Knights of Malta.

 

[WAB]

While visiting Cortona we met this fellow practicing for a major historical crossbow championship the following day. He was shooting at targets tacked to the door of an ancient church! He is a five time national champion so perhaps he can get away with all the holes he punched in that door!

It was a truly great trip and much different from any other hunt we have done. If you are as interested in the history, culture and traditions of Italy, as you are in great hunting, I highly recommend Italian safaris.

 

[Pablo]

Man, when you do Italy, you do it right!

 

[WAB]

Wab, Where is the hunting estate near ?

Not too far from Perugia.

 

[Altitude sickness]

My wife and Sister in law will be visiting relatives near Vicenza in a few weeks.

They will spend a few days in Rome first. What is the gun shop in Rome you spoke of ?

 

[MontanaPat]

Thanks for sharing the hunt report and your photos, looks like a fantastic time. I met Italian Safaris at DSC this year and they are right at the top of my future hunt list. I really want to do an alpine chamois and Russian boar hunt with them

 

[kevin masters]

Wow, wife and I and brother and sister in law spent two weeks in Italy in 2016. Loved it and hope to go back. That looks like an incredible trip!!! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[WAB]

My wife and Sister in law will be visiting relatives near Vicenza in a few weeks.

They will spend a few days in Rome first. What is the gun shop in Rome you spoke of ?

It’s @Phil Giordino’s shop. If you will be in Rome I suggest you contact him directly regarding a visit to his shop. He’s not too far from the Vatican.

 

[sgt_zim]

The missus and I spent part of our honeymoon in Tuscany, though a bit west of Perugia. Siena and surrounding countryside is one of my favorite places on earth.

 

[mdwest]

Italy is among mine and my wife’s destinations… especially Tuscany and the Amalfi coast… it’s been several years since our last visit… I hadn’t thought about combining a hunt with a few days of more traditional tourism in Italy… I might have to look into it!

Thanks for the report!

 

[Red Leg]

Congrats on a clearly fabulous experience. Italy is truly wonderful. We have been several times. Due to the closeness of everything in Europe, we followed my recent Auerhahn (Capercaillie) hunt in the Austrian Alps with a wonderful ten days in Venice, Milan, and Como. Next year will be Hungary and the following in Croatia.

 

[mark-hunter]

@WAB

This is true Italian high class experience!

Congratulations!