Papa Parla representing the Jersey Shore with his Ron Jon hat.

Every other year, my dad (alternatively known as Papa Parla) and I go on a road trip in Italy. Past journeys have included Sicily, Puglia, Basilicata, and Piedmont. We usually do a bit of planning, like choosing a region and making some hotel arrangements. But this time around, we planned almost nothing and are mostly winging it. We only have 2 real obligations: a Speck Festival near Balzano on October 2 and dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant in Rome on October 6. For the rest, we’ll be relying on the kind advice of friends on Twitter. Armed with Blackberries, elastic waistbands and a sensible yet sassy Peugeot, nothing can stand in the way of our appetites!