The morning starts with a visit to one of my favorite of wonderful small artisan mozzarella di bufala and ricotta cheese producers in the area. We’ll observe the mozzarella cheese making process and learn why this cheese is so fabulous and cannot be produced elsewhere – not even in most of Italy! We’ll have lunch…
Day Trips
Fall Saffron Harvest in Città della Pieve, Umbria
Saffron cultivation has survived in a few areas of Italy, notably the Abruzzi and Sardegna, and now people are working to reestablish the saffron crop in Sicily, San Gimignano and Città della Pieve. Città della Pieve is famous for being the birthplace of Perugino, Umbria’s most important 15th century painter who used saffron to create…
Subiaco: an oasis of natural beauty, peace, history & art
If you’re looking for a day trip out of Rome where you can find an oasis of peace immersed in spectacular natural beauty, yet rich with Italian history, art and culture then Subiaco is a perfect choice. Subiaco is located about an hour and a half southeast of Rome in the upper Aniene Valley and…
Day trip to Ariccia in the Colli Albani southeast of Rome
Day trip to Ariccia in the Colli Albani Hills southeast of Rome Sometimes doing exactly what every tourist does when they visit Rome just isn’t what you have in mind and you’d like to experience something different, and perhaps out of Rome’s city center. As it turns out, it’s easy; there are many day trips…
Pecorino Cheese: what is it anyway? And a local Lazio cheesemaker
On a recent visit to the Cesanese del Piglio wine producing area near Anagni in the Frosinone province southeast of Rome we happened upon a small, delightful pecorino cheese producer. This producer’s cheese was offered as part of a wine tasting and I asked the winemaker if it would be possible to purchase some of…
Capri for a day
I can’t help it; I’m back in Capri…again. Just for a day and a night to get my fix of Caprese flavors and another rollercoaster of jaw dropping views. Take a look and you’ll see why I keep coming back. Constantly. A gate with a view, Via Tragara, Capri… Insalata di seppia tiepida al limone…
Naples in a Day: Fifteen Absolute Musts!
Naples is a must if you’re looking for amazing food and incredible pastries, jaw dropping art that will leave you dazzled, and if you want to experience a culture of passion and music! To enjoy Naples to its fullest you have to take it as it is, jump in and enjoy! There’s nothing like it…
The Tornesi Brunello Winery
About fifteen years ago we first visited the Tornesi winery on a Brunello wine buying trip. Since then we’ve been back every year. The owner, Maurizio Tornesi, has become a friend, and we’ve watched his winery grow and transform…always for the better. On our visit last week we joined the family for lunch in their home….
Eating in Contigliano, northern Lazio
Contigliano is Maurizio’s hometown. He was actually born in nearby Terni but every single relative on his mother’s side was born in Contigliano. And more than that: they were all born in the same family home, in the same iron frame bed, that I have kept and moved to our present home north of Rome….
Calvi, Umbria – the Festa di San Pancrazio
Calvi in Umbria lies just barely north of the Lazio region, along the Via Flaminia. If you happen by the area it’s well worth making a stop to take a look at this medieval borgo. From the hill town you can look down upon the rolling Umbrian countryside, as pictured above. The town’s major festival,…
Day Trip to Lake Bolsena for a fish lunch
Last weekend we were at Lake Bolsena, an under two hours drive from us. We were there with friends: and others who vacation at the lake regularly; sailing, canoeing, swimming. Fish is my favorite food and it’s a pleasure to occasionally indulge in lake fish. The best that Lake Bolsena has to offer is coregone,…
Ristorante Il Grecale, Anzio (Southern Lazio)
I’d been to Il Grecale with friends in the past and also taken a stroll around the charming port area of this small seaside town in southern Lazio. That was in the summer and today was quite a different atmosphere. It was a blustery February day and we chose Anzio as we were searching for…