Why Visit Trastevere in Rome
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips Italy
I love to travel, and I especially love to travel to Italy. I've described elsewhere why Rome is my favorite, and perhaps no other neighborhood beckons to me like Trastevere. Trastevere literally means "across the Tiber" (Tevere is the name of the Tiber River in Italian). It's a very descriptive name, as it is the part of Rome that likes just across the Tiber from the historical center. Known for… Read
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5 Best Museums in Rome
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips Italy
Whether you're planning a winter getaway to Rome or a summer vacation, you undoubtedly know that there are a plethora of monuments, archeological sites, and museums in the Eternal City. How do you prioritize if you have a limited amount of time? We're highlighting our top five museums in Rome to help you out. Whether you are able to hit them all or only make the highlights, you'll be glad… Read
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Reviewing a Vacation in Bellagio on Lake Como
Filed Under Destination Features, Interviews, Travel Tips Italy
One of the benefits of having a culinary traveler who is also a journalist is getting wonderful feedback when they return from our culinary vacations. Writer David Sharos shared his experiences of our cooking vacation at Don Alfonso 1890 some years ago, and now he is back with his take on a tour of Bellagio and Lake Como. My last trip to Italy was back in 2019 when my wife… Read
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Recipe for Sicilian Sardines "a Beccafico"
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes Italy
Sicily is one of our most popular destinations, and it's no wonder when you consider the amazing and diverse gastronomy that you will find on the island. The coastal areas obviously will give you more fish and seafood dishes, including a lot of different preparations of one of the Mediterranean's prized fish: the sardine. In the US sardines are found in tins, and not exactly considered a gourmet food. But… Read
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What to See in Naples: Top Three Sites to See
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips Italy
Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are among our top destinations, and frequently our travelers ask if they should also take time to visit Naples. Our answer is always a resounding yes. The sprawling southern metropolis is unlike other parts of Italy. Whether you visit it for a day or a week, you will see a completely unique Italy full of culture, history, food, and friendly people. I'm not saying there… Read
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Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Recipe for Eggplant Parmesan)
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes Italy
What is "parimgiana?" You will see this word on recipes and menus in Italy, but what exactly is it? In a nutshell, it means it is a dish made with a tomato sauce and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (or a similar substitute). When you see "alla" incuded in the name of an Italian dish, it generally means "in the style of." Some classic examples, besides melanzane alla parimgiana, are pasta alla norma,… Read
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