1. Italians eat late and meal times are fixed. Times vary regionally so check with the restaurant beforehand. One of my favourite Italian traditions is the “aperitivo” where one meets friends for a light drink (usually a spritzer or glass of wine) and nibbles before (or sometimes instead of) dinner. 2. Shops close mid-day, often for…
Happy Mother’s Day!
Mother’s Day (Festa della mamma) is quickly approaching in many parts of the world, including Italy on May 10th. This day is dedicated to the lady who survived many a sleepless night to care for you when sick, prioritised you before herself, always turned a sympathetic ear when life seemed bleak, cheered you on through every…
The surprising secret ingredient to making the perfect focaccia
I admit, I have been obsessing for years over perfecting my focaccia recipe. This is partially due to nostalgia for long days at the beach in Liguria and partially due to my 5 year old son’s love for all things Ligurian (which I view as a cosmic link to his Ligurian godmother). I was pretty happy…
Top tips for visiting Italy
I put together this page on resources to use when travelling or living in Italy so you can easily access the content needed in one place. Use this page to help you discover the best places to visit in Italy, how to find good accommodation, the best places to eat, how to order food and…
Your guide to cooking authentic Italian food
Do you love eating Italian food? Want to try making it at home? All you need is a love of eating and a desire to learn. No need to know everything about cooking. I have quickly put together this page with links to all my top content to help you get started. I have to…
Think you know Prosecco? Think again. Cellar Tour: Bisol
Sparkling wine enthusiasts may turn their noses up at the mention of Prosecco, the world’s leading sparkling wine in terms of volume sold (160 million bottles sold), but like many things in Italy, to every rule there is an exception. What is true is that the Prosecco region has grown at a disturbing pace…
The fairy tale origin of Pastiera: the quintessential Italian Easter tart
Pastiera is a traditional Easter dish and is one of the most famous dishes in Naples. The story of its origin begins with a fairy tale, that the Neapolitans made offerings to mermaid named Partenope to thank her for her beautiful voice. They offered flour and orange blossom water to both symbolise the wealth of…
Where do Venetians holiday?
Moneyed Venetians have been holidaying in the Colli Asolani (the hills of Asolo) since the time of the Venetian Republic as evidenced by the many Palladian villas, which were country estates built in the 16th century and designed by Andrea Palladio. A mere half hour drive to the west of Venezia brings you first to Padova…
What do Homer Simpson and Joseph (as in Joseph and Mary) have in common?
The 19th of March is the Festa di San Giuseppe in Italy in honour of Joseph, Jesus Christ’s step-father. It is celebrated as Father’s Day and a type of doughnut, Bignè di San Giuseppe is served. The idea of celebrating Father’s Day with doughnuts reminds me of Homer Simpson rather than of Joseph and Christ….
A Guide to Good Value High Quality wines: What makes a true wine aficionado?
Nowadays many people seem to be of the opinion that loving wine means drinking the most expensive wines in existence. While particularly at the more affordable end of the market, the price tag has some correlation with the quality of wine as it will determine how much the wine maker could afford to spend on creating the…
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