asmith Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 Somewhere during my travels in the last couple week I ended up in Naples with Gino, better known on the forum as Mr Japan. Gino invited me to stay and have a cigar with his cigar club. Apart from my flight being delayed by 3 hours the rest of my time in Naples was amazing. Gino showed me around his town, the architecture has a similar feel to that of Havana it’s just well maintained and not falling down all over the place. After a quick trip around town taking the standard tourist photos we headed to the Amicigar Campania Felix Cigar Club’s home base the Villa De Vivo an absolutely amazing oasis in the middle of the madness that is Naples, www.villadevivo.it. On a beautiful warm summer’s afternoon the table for our dinner was set out in the open to enjoy the evening as one does in Italy. With fabulous service and more food than we could eat the evening was filled with conversation of great cigars, great wine, great food and great laughs. In the small hours of the morning after several cigars and rums we called it a night and drove home smashed as only the Italians can do. A massive thank you from the bottom of my heart to Gino, Antonio, Vincenzo, Antonio, Eugenio, Paolo and the other members of the Amicigar club for a fantastic evening and I look forward to returning one day soon. Trees greet you at the entrence to Villa De Divo Front of Villa de Divo Pool and back of Villa de Divo Dinner table set beside the pool to enjoy the summer night. Antonio and Smithy discuss Italy's performance at the World Cup (very short conversation) Great food and great wine Gino and Vincenzo share a laugh before dinner Back of Smithy's head, Vincenzo, Antonio (provided the great rums), Eugenio, Paolo (back of his head also) Eugenio, Paolo (obstructed) Smithy, Gino, Vincenzo, Antonio Smithy & Gino inspecting the cigars before consuming. Box code OEM SEP 01 A box from Havana, a bottle from Australia and a fantastic evening in Italy Antonio provided the box of H Upmann Monarchs and made sure everyone received one. A great match for the H Upmann Monarch was the Penfolds Cabenet Sauvignon Bin 707 1998 I provided the cheaper Havana Club Barrel Proof The good rums provided by Antonio both from Guadeloupe Samaroli Demerara Dark Rum 1991 Bottle 125 of 350 and Rhum Damoiseau 1995 Antonio, Smithy (with gift of club ashtray), Gino
El Presidente Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 Well done Gentlemen! I met Gino and his beautiful wife Anna for the first time at a wonderful cigar even in Nice some three years ago now. One of the great gentlemen in life. His sense of humour, easy grace, passion for cigars but most importantly people is something I will never forget. That and the fact that he changed designer clothes four times a day. No doubt an Italian thing
Guest rob Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 Great times had.... the photos are proof of that! I'm very envious and look forward to being in Napoli one day very soon.
MIKA27 Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 WHat an amazing villa, the people, hospitality is wonderful. Well done Smithy, looks like you made the most of it mate and this just shows the amazing group of individuals we have on the forum.
Kangaroo495 Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 Yeah, that is so awesome. Makes me wish I had mates that smoked. The only company I have when I'm smoking is my girlfriend and my cat "Monty". I nicknamed my girlfriend "Sublime", better than calling her "No. 2"
laficion Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 Great photos Smithy and grand time in Naples I'm sure I would like to say also that I had the pleasure of meeting Gino and his lovely wife, Anna, last year and I 'll join in with what El Prez & Smithy just said above, Gino & Anna are the two most beautiful persons I've ever met. Not only do they have a true passion for life, humour and a lot of grace but also a glow about them that it makes it quite impossible to resist sharing great moments with them. Gino, you also have an extra glow but that must be the colored pants and shirts you wear (only kidding) Smithy, thanks for sharing those great moments with us
SandmanTR Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 Thanks for sharing Smithy. Looks like a phenomenal trip!
Mr. Japan Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 Gentlemen's stop talking of my pants :-) and thank you , also from Anna, for the nice words on us but this is in all cigar aficionados. Share friendship and enjoy life together with a good smoke. Smithy looooooooooking forward to have a smoke together soon again on the deck with ken and the Prez.
First Lady Posted July 27, 2010 Posted July 27, 2010 Gino I am so jealous that I wasn't there as well... maybe one day I will be able to spend time with you and your darling wife again un bacio enorme a lei
Habanakane21 Posted July 28, 2010 Posted July 28, 2010 Looks like a fabulous time! I need to get something like that going in Los Angeles!! Won't be the same of course, but it'll be a start!!!! Thanks for sharing....
Bartolomeo Posted July 28, 2010 Posted July 28, 2010 Thanks for sharing, looks like all had a great time! Italia=Best Cars, Artist, Food, Clothing, Women Soccer Team.........Not so much this year Bart
OZCUBAN Posted July 29, 2010 Posted July 29, 2010 Well done Guys This is what F.O.H is all about IMO, friends that you never knew you had ,a world wide network of like minded and generous people. A bit like free masons but with cigars And what a fantastic Villa a big congrats to you all Oh and Smithy you lucky bastard OZ P.S There is nothing like a F.O.H cigar get together ,there should be more
Guest rob Posted July 29, 2010 Posted July 29, 2010 Forget the cigars.... the sausage on that plate looks amazingly tasty!!
cameronreilly Posted July 29, 2010 Posted July 29, 2010 Looks like you had a great time! I've only been to Naples once and would love to spend more time there. It'd be good to know some locals!
ap631206ny Posted July 29, 2010 Posted July 29, 2010 It was a wonderful night for the drink, the food and the smoke...very well, and the final for the frendship. I'm looking forward everyone to Naples...and i hope to be in Australia the next year with Gino Bye from Antonio
ucla695 Posted July 29, 2010 Posted July 29, 2010 Wow! Looks like an incredible time. What a great place to eat, drink and smoke while enjoying everyone's company.
Puros Y Vino Posted July 29, 2010 Posted July 29, 2010 Fantastic! Great place to enjoy some find food, wine and especially cigars! Thanks for sharing. Excuse me while I go plan my trip to Italy. Can't wait to go there again!
sloth Posted July 29, 2010 Posted July 29, 2010 Forget the cigars.... the sausage on that plate looks amazingly tasty!! I concur.
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