The day before Easter we rolled into the spectacularly beautiful village of Cison di Valmarino, which is in the Prosecco-growing region of Italy and very close to Austria. 

After checking into our AirBnB, our host told us that the Mayor (the real mayor, not the one on Foursquare) would like to meet us and sit down for coffee, and asked if we were available the next morning (Easter Morning). We said yes, and she said she would tell the mayor. 

We then set out to find survival provisions (wine, bread, cheese, fruit, chocolate, etc.) as we were told that on Easter and the day after all stores would be closed and all restaurants booked; if we didn't have a reservation by now, we would not be eating at a restaurant. We found a small mom and pop mini mart place (well, pop anyway -- no sign of mom) and loaded up on foodstuffs. 

So at the appointed hour next day our host arrived to convey us to the town square around the corner. 

As we walked into the square, the mayor, whose name is Cristina Pin, drove up, got out and said hi (in Italian -- she didn't speak much English, so our host did the translating). 

She invited us in to a really charming cafe, where there was a cozy nook in the back where we had some very good coffee, hot chocolate, croissants and pastries and talked about the town and also about our Gastronomad Experiences. (She thought it sounded like a good idea to have one in the Town next year.)

The mayor then gave us a tour of the town hall, dates back to the 16th Century. The building is absolutely amazing, and retains ancient terrazzo tiles on the floor, rough beams carved centuries ago with an axe and other original features. But in offices and meeting rooms, most of the furniture is modern. 

While we were in Mayor Pin's offices, we mentioned that we were looking forward to trying the local specialty, which is basically meat roasted on a skewer over a wood fire and usually eaten with polenta. She asked where we planned to eat that night, and we said we had no reservations. So she whipped out her phone, called a restaurant and made us a reservation. (No way they had availability; I wonder who they bumped.) 

The Mayor gave us two books related to local history, which she signed, and rushed off to the church for Easter services. 

(We're planning our Prosecco Experience 2017 — sign up for our free email newsletter here to stay up to date on what will definitely be a spectacularly delicious adventure!!)

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