July 23, 2015
Why not grab the fridge, too? After years and years, the last-minute struggle of sitting on my suitcase and jamming that extra toothbrush in has become second nature to me. We all strive to pack “light and right”, but in the end very few have the ability to do it….
July 10, 2015
For six years my husband and I made our home only an hour from the border, and two hours from the capital, of Slovenia. This tiny country offers gently rolling hills and lush valleys, tucked between Austria to the north, Croatia to the south and Italy to the west. Barely…
July 1, 2015
Continuing on the theme of Italian wine from two weeks ago, I’ve been reminiscing about a brief stay on Lake Maggiore a few years back when I discovered some interesting wines. Gattinara and to a lesser extent Ghemme, products of the fickle Nebbiolo grape grown in the relatively chilly environment…
June 15, 2015
Just back from western Tuscany, where I had the chance once again to taste some delicious, if lesser known, Italian white wines. The hardest to find here in the US is Vermentino, known in France as “rolle”. The grape is widely planted in Italy’s Piedmont region, where it’s known as…
June 8, 2015
I’ve just completed the 2015 Amazing Amalfi trips. While these weeks are always a series of highlights, this year for me the hike on the Sentieri dei Fortini (“Path of Forts”) on the Isle of Capri was without equal. You can begin the walk, which extends 4-5 km depending where…
May 12, 2015
Here are some fun facts I’ve come across over the last few weeks: • The name “Italy” comes from the Greek “italos”, which means calf. It was originally given to the region of Calabria by Greek settlers in the 8th century BC, and was extended to the whole peninsula under…
April 21, 2015
Final days of my stay in Florence I decided to travel a piedi (by foot) to meet Chef Marcella on my last day in town. This is the best way to make your own discoveries in Florence, especially as you put a little distance between yourself and the Duomo. After…
April 10, 2015
Wine and Chocolate Pairing in Florence Okay, you’re all waiting for my review of the wine and chocolate pairing lesson, right? First, even if you don’t partake in this amazing experience, make the Ballerini Chocolate Shop a stop on your next trip to Florence. It’s only a block from the…
March 30, 2015
Are the Florentine crowds worth the stop? Preparing to leave for Italy a few years ago, I wasn’t so excited that the last few days of the trip would be in Florence. On my last stay there, in October 2008 for just a night, I told myself: it’s just not…
March 20, 2015
Have you ever wondered what in the world the Italian guidebook is talking about when it uses these terms? For years I sort of lumped them all into the same category — “house of worship” — and moved on to more interesting topics. But the distinctions are actually worthwhile information….
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