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…
Weekend Trips
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…
Positano
I’ve been in love with this gorgeous Amalfi coast hill town that spills down to the sea with a blast of Mediterranean colors for decades. It’s all about the winding narrow streets and steps so full of charm, the amazing views that change with every step you take, the outstanding seafood, ceramics and quaint shops. Enjoy…
The Best of Sperlonga
Sperlonga captured my heart more than three decades ago when we first started spending the month of June here each year. Some of Sperlonga’s appeal is intangible, it occupies your senses in ways you can’t even describe. Yet, so much of what there is to love in this amazing coastal hill town is easy to quantify….
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….
Positano’s Casa Cosenza
We’ve stayed in just about every room at the Casa Cosenza over the past thirty-plus years, each one with a breathtaking view of the spectacular Positano. Maurizio first brought me here when we were still fidanzati; I was here on vacation and spoke no Italian at the time. The whole weekend I was intoxicated: head…
Saturday outdoor market in Sperlonga
Saturday morning is the big outdoor market day in Sperlonga. One of my favorite vendors has an assortment of olives cured by his family owned azienda agricola, including local Gaeta olives. He also prepares whole red peppers in an agrodolce bath. Most of the peppers go by the wayside as the process is lengthy and…
Marinated anchovies with spacca sassi, Portonovo, Monte Conero, Le Marche
We spend time in Portonovo every year, usually for brief weekend trips of a few days. Some of our closest friends live there and an additional benefit is the spectacular beauty of the area: the lush mountains of the Monte Conero spill dramatically into the Adriatic Sea. The beach is covered with white stones and…
Bed And Breakfast Piazza Dante – Napoli
Last week before going to Naples the first thing I did was to check with the blogger community for suggestions on a place to stay. I have to thank Walks of Italy for the two accommodation suggestions made as both were fabulous. We ended up staying at the Dante B&B, so named due to its…
Leon d’Oro Restaurant – Piazza Dante, Naples
We arrived at our bed and breakfast a bit too late for lunch. Simona, the delightful owner of the Dante B&B, suggested that we stop down at the Leon d’Oro restaurant & pizzeria to make our dinner reservation as it books up quickly for the evening. Even though it was almost 4 pm there were…
Capri: an Indian summer day before Christmas
Capri is my husband’s favorite place and I have to agree that the island’s beauty is indisputable. Unfortunately what Capri has become, at least in the centro, is a high-end tourist location for the very wealthy. No characteristic, artisanal items on sale here; what you’re most likely to find are the top designers, and costly…
Day trip to Cortona, in the Tuscan province of Arezzo
The town of Cortona is easily reachable by train from Rome: a pleasant and affordable 2 1/2 hour train ride ((Euro 16 in first class). Once you reach the Camucia / Cortona station you can take a bus (runs about every 40 minutes) or a taxi (Euro 10) up to Cortona centro. The entrance way…