Among the Olive Trees in the Forest with Francesco

AMONG THE OLIVE TREES IN THE WOOD Colle Timmari is a place where history, archaeology, nature, and olive trees harmoniously intertwine. On the San Salvatore plateau, the clear traces of a Greco-Apulian community remain, with constructions of a necropolis from the 11th–10th century B.C. Beyond the “village,” the little house of the Teacher and the Professor, nestled in the woods among olive trees, welcomes friends and guests on the panoramic terrace, where a pot simmers a stew with an intense aroma, from which the delicious contents are served (“la Pastorale,” the Lucanian lamb stew). Friends feel at home and relive the emotions of memories from a magical childhood. Meanwhile, the nearby wood-fired oven spreads the scent of freshly baked tomato focaccia, which blends with fresh Lucanian wine, sweet Timmari figs, warm and crispy bread, and fragrant oil from those olive trees—all sincere friends ready to welcome guests who were strangers just moments before. The sour cherry tart will be the Queen of the table, pairing beautifully with Prugnolo liqueur or Limoncello. A night of stars and fireflies will accompany dreams of fantastic elves, animated olive trees and oaks, and mythological shepherds amid forgotten scents and never-before-experienced sensations. The olive trees and the woods will be friends in every season.