Who: Gay Bocks of Conifer, Barbara Lawrence of Sedalia, and Kathy Wilhite and Peggy Rottner of Littleton.
Where: 13th-century Church of San Francesco in Bevagna.
Best meal: Our food-and-wine-centered trip had special multi-course meals in each restaurant that our group visited. One favorite was Fornace di Mastro Giorgio in Gubbio, a ceramic factory in medieval times that has been converted into an elegant restaurant with delicious local specialties with truffles (in season). Another was Il Bacco Felice in Foligno, which is a casual enoteca-osteria featuring local wines and food. At Il Bacco Felice, ask for Salvatore, the owner, and tell him those crazy gals from Colorado sent you.
Best deal: Italian gelato in any town. A little scoop of flavor heaven.
Best time to go: May or mid-September thru October. Good weather, lower tourist traffic and great seasonal products. Spring veggies (May) and mushrooms and truffles (October).
Best travel tip: Diet before you go because the food and wine are wonderful. Take comfortable shoes; those hill towns can include some steep climbs and uneven cobblestone pavements.
