It has been a bitter-sweet year so far for the Friends of FAI. This summer, we lost a dear friend and colleague, Luigi Moscheri, a man of great intellect and talent who displayed an unparalleled commitment to our organization over the years. We are all truly bereft by this loss, and will honor his memory by ensuring that the cause he so dearly cherished continues to grow and flourish.

We also have great reason to celebrate: not only was this year’s Balbianello Circle tour of Venice & the Veneto our best attended trip yet, but it afforded our travellers a glimpse into some of the region’s most fascinating and exclusive treasures. We are so grateful to all those who attended, and who helped make the journey such a memorable experience.
This summer also marked the grand opening of FAI’s magnificent Villa dei Vescovi near Padova. After a scrupulous restoration process, which was funded in large part by our generous donors, the Villa has been restored to its former glory and is now open to the public. The villa is equipped with guesthouses, which visitors will have the unique opportunity to rent out for the weekend. For information on staying at the guesthouse, or renting out FAI’s other beautiful properties, please see page 7 of the newsletter.
We are also delighted to announce that in November, FAI will officially open the Bosco di San Francesco, a forest of remarkable natural and spiritual beauty near the Umbrian hill town of Assisi, home to Saint Francis and the order he founded.

Finally, Friends of FAI has adopted a very special restoration project for 2011: The Campatelli Palace & Tower in San Gimignano, Tuscany. This newsletter contains information about the FAI property and restoration process, as well as details on how you may support this wonderful project.

All of these important initiatives have been made possible by FAI and Friends of FAI’s incredible benefactors, who year after year, have shown their dedication to rescuing and safeguarding Italy’s historic, architectural, and environmental patrimony.

I send you my heartfelt gratitude for your vital contributions, and hope that you will continue to support our mission and join us for some of the enjoyable and enlightening events we will be holding this fall in the United States.

Bona Frescobaldi
International Chairman