Nope, not a snide comment, but genuine statement.
I've spent the last week and a half in the south of Italy in a little town called Terlizzi, visiting my eldest daughter who is teachng English in a small local language school situated in the centre of the community.
Terlizzi is in the heart of the Puglio olive growing region on the 'heel' of Italy, near the Adriatic Sea.
I found the people down there to be so warm and kind it was truly humbling. The town rarely sees tourists and it's quite possible that my daughter is the only native English speaker living in the place.
In ever shop, bakery, stall, restaurant that I visited with her, the owners would shake my hand, tell me their name with a big smile and on many occasions call their other family members out and introduce them to me.
In all my life I have never experienced such warmth and kindness from complete strangers.
My daughter and I were invited to lunch on Sunday and experienced the whole 5 hour Italian family event. It was just wonderful. We were welcomed as part of the family and spent the hours discussing the difference between our two cultures, laughing and drinking and eating fantastic wine and food, with three generations of Italians.
It really was one of the most life affirming experiences I have ever had the privilege of being invited to.
I don't travel abroad much so can't vouch for other countries, but I wondered if any of you folks that do go abroad alot have had similar experiences?
(pronounced: equal-sequel) "I suffered for my art.. now it's your turn"
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In a small village where a group of 5 families have lived for generations (including my great great grandfather). On a night meal at a local pizzeria a member of the clan came up to my father upon hearing a Bonatto had returned, offered a bottle of wine, a firm hug and a 'you smell like us' remark.
You could almost draw a line of latitude somewhere South of Lyon / Geneva/ Verona to define this divide.
If I was going to add a friendly bit of the UK I'd have said the Scottish Highlands but the same theory applies.
Rural towns tend to either be amazingly hospitable or slightly suspicious until they see you're with a local.
We can be very friendly in the UK but somewhere we draw the line at being hospitable.
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
Oh wait....
And nicked your car stereo.
Although, that's nothing compared to most E European countries especiallyAustria, Poland,Hungary (particularly)
We forget how tolerant the prevailing attitude in this country is.
I've found the Spanish to be very friendly too. I've ridden all over France and it's been a bit hit and miss. As said before, much friendlier in the South. The friendliest people I've found are in Germany. I must admit I had a stereotype in my head before I went there but found it to be totally the opposite. Really friendly people, will go out of their way to help and are genuinely interested in where you've been and where you're heading. The roads are epic too. I never get bored of riding there. I stayed in a hotel in the Black Forest and the owner offered me the use of his personal garage so my bike didn't get wet and before he would allow me to go to my room, thrust a large glass of beer into my hand and asked me to sit and tell him about my trip. Just brilliant.