August came in with a BAM! We have been so lucky to not have had killer heat until now. But summer also brings beautiful fields like this near my home in Certaldo. Sunflowers always bring a smile to my face and we can’t help but jump out for silly foto-ops. In Summer in Italy it…
Frances Mayes “See You in the Piazza”: Book Review, Recipe and Giveaway
What’s not to love about a book that takes you on a trip? This is not another novel by Frances Mayes, but rather a travelogue of her trips around Italy. See You in The Piazza is her travel diary of her private explorations with Ed and some with their grandson. They take you with them,…
Taste Firenze
There is no question that Florence is a food-lover’s paradise. Once a year, there is a special food event, Taste Firenze, organized by Davide Paolini. He has gathered together some of the best that Italy has to offer, food, wine, beer, books, lifestyle. This year the show is March 9-11. It is held at the…
Tuscany 101- Where are you?
Where are you when you are in Florence? You are in Tuscany. I get so many requests for trip planning saying we are going to Florence and then want to go to Tuscany. I am never really sure what they mean. I assume they mean they want to go to the countryside. Probably Chianti. But…
Prètto Prosciutteria {Siena} |Taste Chianti
Taste Chianti App review of Prètto Prosciuttera Siena Located just a small distance from the Piazza del Campo, Prètto Prosciutteria is a great stop to take a break anytime of the day. Not just a prosciutto place as the name would lead you to believe. It is sort of like the old wine bars, called Vinai,…
Amatriciana for Amatrice- #virtualsagra (updated)
One of Italy’s most famous sauce, Amatriciana, originated in Amatrice, a small town in Lazio famous for the pasta dish, made using guanciale. The 50th anniversary sagra, food festival, was to be held this weekend. Amatrice no longer exists. Hopefully it can be rebuilt. Usually they move the towns. The earthquake on August 24th leveled…
A Passion for Pomodori [San Marzano-Danicoop]
As August hits us with it’s super hot days, it also gifts the garden with ripe tomatoes. We were very lucky to have been invited down to Sarno outside of Naples to the first POMODORO SAN MARZANO DAY, celebrating the DOP tomato produced in the volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius outside of Naples. …
Artisans – Filippo Romagnoli – Woodworker
While doing research for my Taste Chianti App, which includes places to eat, drink, shop and stay. I discovered a wonderful artisan right near my house. Facebook works in mysterious ways. I saw my friend Sarah from Chicago had had corzetti stamps made in Chianti. Since it is a Ligurian specialty, that surprised me….