Greetings from Italy 👋

Roadtrip in the wine district of Piedmont, Italy with only one pair of shoes!

This holiday I chose to only bring a pair of Kastel sandal prototypes that were never produced for use by the pool and a pair of Stavern for EVERYTHING ELSE! For me, Stavern is the ultimate vacation shoe, especially for a place like Italy where heat, lots of walking, and a bit of fine dining (and wining) are the main activities. Few people know that the sole of Stavern is developed as a running shoe on the inside while the outside maintains a more classic flat design. This makes them wonderful to walk in, but also not too sporty for a nice hangout with an Aperol along the Navigli canals in Milan, where this summer's journey began.

For this vacation with my girlfriend we planned to start with an urban touch in Milan, where I studied design, and gradually offer a more rural and cultural experience in the Piedmont area of northern Italy. I showed my girlfriend all the "must-see" attractions in Milan including my favorite dining spots such as the legendary restaurant Osteria Del Binari.

But after two days with 30 degrees in urban surroundings, we were ready to get into a small Fiat 500 and zoom to Monforte D’Alba where we stayed at the top of the historic mountain village. Walking here in steep cobblestone streets with Stavern also went incredibly well; the nerd in me can't help but brag about the deep tread on the sole that we are quite unique in such a classic shoe, just sayin'...

Outfit check!

This holiday I decided to try a bit more of a "retro" style and bought some nice socks from our friends at July Sporting Goods that went well with Stavern. I tried to take a vacation from my otherwise millennial-self and ditch ankle socks. Apart from pale ankles, I found it quite liberating and it left me wanting more. We need to step up our sock game at Kastel!

We concluded our trip at a resort that was part of a vineyard with a pool right among the vines. It was the first time I swapped out Stavern with sandals for some lounging by the pool. Finally, my ankles also got to see the sun for the first time before they were wrapped up like a falafel and sent home with the rest of me. And it must be said that Stavern is the best shoe to fly with. I only miss the foldable heel of Voss, but otherwise, they deliver all the comfort needed for a long journey with varying temperatures from scorching sun to air-conditioned airports. So, if I were to recommend just one shoe for an Italy vacation, Stavern is undoubtedly the choice!