How the coronavirus led to a lockdown in Italy Today is our third day of total and complete lockdown. A few days back all of Italy became a “red zone”: everyone should have been at home minimizing contact with others. This was basically respected, but as restaurants and other businesses were open during the day…
Weekend Trips
Rome Opera House – Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
The Rome Opera House is fast becoming the cultural pride of the City of Rome, thanks to prudent management under Managing Director Carlo Fuortes, ex-director of Rome’s Parco della Musica. This coupled with innovative programs aimed at bringing opera to wider audiences (Opera Camion), and to younger audiences (Fabbrica Young Artists Program, and Rush…
Leonardo da Vinci‘s Vineyard & Malvasia di Candia Aromatica Wines
Leonardo da Vinci‘s Vineyard & Malvasia di Candia Aromatica Wines are a side of the genius you may not be aware of. The genius of Leonardo da Vinci remains unparalleled and his works of art and scientific knowledge are world renowned. One thing you might not know about him is that he also cultivated a…
Penne with sizzled garlic & hot pepper, anchovies and parsley
Olive oil, garlic, a touch of hot pepper, a few anchovy fillets and fresh parsley are all you need to make this scrumptious pasta dish, in just three minutes! Well, a few more if you include the ten minutes it takes for your pasta to cook. Penne with sizzled garlic & hot pepper, anchovies and…
Capri Day & Overnight Trip
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 at the pictures below and you’ll see why I keep coming back. Constantly. If you’re interested in an overnight trip to Capri just…
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…
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…
Best of Bologna Day Trip
Bologna is the city of porticoes, Europe’s oldest university, amazing towers and culinary delights you can’t even imagine. If you’re hankering for something different and unique to do while visiting Rome then this is the day trip you’ll want to make! Are you interested in a culinary walking tour of Bologna? Then I’ve got you…
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…
Tiella, Stuffed Pizza from Gaeta
The view of the hill town of Sperlonga alone makes an excursion here worth it. I never tire of that view. The water is clean and crisp and delightful: Sperlonga prides itself on having the top water cleanliness rating along the coast. It always boils down to the seaside life and the food, and Sperlonga…
Balsamic Vinegar
One of the favorite and most used condiments in Italy and abroad is balsamic vinegar. It’s used to dress salads, as an ingredient in many dishes and to drizzle on top of foods like strawberries and Parmesan cheese. There are dozens upon dozens of balsamic vinegar products on the market purporting to be IGP Balsamic…
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…