By Beverly O’Shea
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When Josephine “Jo” Arminio speaks of the 400-year-old house in Tuscany she rents to her neighbors from Seabrook, she takes you to a place reminiscent of old world charm; fresh, delicious food; and an ambience as vibrant as Arminio herself.

The house, located in the small hamlet of Diecimo, is the vertical half of a large building bequeathed her family. Like the other structures around it, the house has a nondescript facade, but it has three stories and an attic and inviting rooms with exposed beams.

“It has atmosphere,” Arminio says warmly.

Experiencing Italy
Diecimo, though only a small dot on the map, is a perfect central location to explore the rich region of Tuscany. The Apennines, the mountain range that makes up the geographic backbone of Italy, borders the town, and the medieval Devil’s Bridge spans the Serchio River outside of nearby Lucca.

Florence, known for its leather and Duomo, and Pisa, with its famous leaning tower, are both only an hour away.

Visitors to Arminio’s house can easily take day trips or board the train for a few days in Rome, Venice, or any of Italy’s other vibrant cities.

Learning before leaving
Aside from giving friends and neighbors the chance to experience Italy abroad, Arminio also brings the country to life at home. She runs the Italian-American Club at Seabrook, which has more than 80 members.

They meet monthly except for the two summer months when she’s enjoying her Italian home. The club gives anyone planning to rent Arminio’s place a chance to learn about the culture before visiting. They watch videos about the country, or Arminio invites a speaker.

“We celebrate Italian festivals and holidays: St. Joseph’s [Feast Day], Mother’s Day, and the Month of Mary. I showed a film on how artists portray Mary in different ways,” she says of the club’s activities.