Noblewoman Violante Guerrieri Gonzaga offers exclusive rooftop cooking class experiences in a historic family palazzo in the center of Rome with incredible views of the city. She has a luxury Italian tableware line (designed and painted by Violante) and a recipe and lifestyle book now in its second printing, full of great recipes and photographs….
When in Rome
Luxury Italian Shoe Designer Alessio Spinelli – Podcast Episode 32
When people think of Italy what comes to mind is fabulous art, monuments, amazing food and beautiful designer luxury goods – especially Italian shoes. In this podcast episode I chatted with luxury Italian shoe designer Alessio Spinelli about his life as a luxury shoe designer in Italy, and the path that led him to become…
Rome Opera House – Teatro dell’Opera di Roma – Podcast Episode 27
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 to…
Coronavirus Lockdown in Italy
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…
Castagnole di Carnevale, a Delicious Mardi Gras Dessert!
Castagnole di Carnevale are a wonderful treat for Mardi Gras! Italian tradition has it that just before the forty days of lent when one feels compelled to give up tasty goodies, is the time to indulge in sweet, fried foods. Castagnole have been part of this tradition since the 17th century, along with frappe and a…
Palazzo Caetani and the Isola Mattei, a virtual tour
The Palazzo Caetani was one of the great sixteenth century palazzi in Rome. Originally one of a group of palazzi belonging to the powerful Mattei family, it occupied an entire city block on the edge of Largo Argentina. This block is known as the Isola Mattei, or Mattei Island. The Mattei began as rich merchants and over time evolved into…
How to beat the crowds in Italy!
The best way to beat the heat and crowds in Italy is to follow the rhythm of Italians. Here’s how! 1. Each day get up as early as you can, even at 5 or 6 AM. Get right out to walk around, look at monuments and take photographs. Super early in the morning the air…
Culinary Walking Tour of Rome
If you’re passionate about food and wine and want to delve deeper into Rome’s food culture, then join Flavor of Italy for our Culinary Walking Tour of Rome. We head out to the streets and neighborhoods of Rome where you’re unlikely to run into anyone but Romans out doing their market shopping, having their morning…
The Trevi Fountain
In 2015 a National Geographic Traveler article, “101 Reasons to Travel Now”, featured “Spiffier Rome: The Pyramid, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and Domus Aurea (Emperor Nero’s villa) all show off much needed-and tasteful-touch-ups…” Add the Spanish Steps to that list. Given Rome’s complicated financial situation how is this happening? It’s all thanks to private…
Rome’s Tulip Park
One way to enjoy springtime and the season’s magnificent flowers is at Rome’s Tulip Park. This is the second year for Rome’s Tulip Park initiative. The Tulip Park has 4 kilometers (26,000 square meters) of tulips: 360,000 tulips, and 91 varieties, some of them rare varieties that can’t be picked. Each entrance ticket covers both…
Pasta and Bean Soup – Pasta e Fagioli
Pasta and Bean Soup – Pasta e Fagioli I don’t know why I never posted my mother-in-law’s delicious recipe for pasta and bean soup – pasta e fagioli – but there you have it: it slipped through the cracks somehow. It was just when I made it the other day that I realized I had…
Holiday Gift Guide – Top Gifts for the Home Cook!
It’s the time of year when everyone is scrambling for that last minute perfect gift for friends and family. If you have an aspiring chef or an avid home cook in your family or among your friends here’s my Holiday Gift Guide – Top Gifts for the Home Cook. It’s my go-to list of absolute…