17 Amazing Rome Sites Rome is a city that never runs out of surprises. Sure, the Colosseum, Vatican, and Trevi Fountain are must-sees, but there’s so much more beyond the usual tourist circuit. Our list of the top 17 sites …
12 Myths: Intriguing and Common About Pasta
Myths about pasta? Really? Many myths aren’t true about one of my favorite foods – pasta! Initially, I was going to make this topic a quiz, but let’s see at the end of the post, how well you score when …
Isola d’Elba Restaurant Recommendations
Here are our Isola d’Elba restaurants that you will enjoy! This is the sister venue of Vinarkia in Lucca. Rebecca and Nicola did an outstanding job on this beautiful bar. Sit on the deck and watch the boats pull into …
Viareggio Restaurants
We’ve eaten at several restaurants in this town and this by far, is one of our new favorites. Thanks to friends who took us there! Walk as you are heading down the pier and its the last one before you …
Complete Seasonal Guide to Eating in Italy
Seasonal Guide to Eating in Italy Eating in Italy is one of the great experiences of visiting this country. As one of the world’s most beloved cuisines, the secret of Italian food lies in its seasonal ingredients. Life in Italy …
Autogrill Surprise | Traveling the Autostrada
It’s been quite a while since Gary and I stopped at an Autogrill rest station on the autostrada (Italy’s highway). We mainly travel by train, but a recent car trip with friends to the northern part of Italy brought back …
Dario: The Man, The Legend, My Hero
Dario Cecchini In 2019 Ilene and I were introduced to a few cooking shows by our daughter Ally and her significant other Brett. There was a bigger-than-life character in all three shows. His name is Dario Cecchini. He is a …
Dried vs Fresh Pasta | Which is Better?
Most of us growing up in “non-Italian” families grew up with dried pasta. For me, it was every Friday night with fish sticks. How funny that is still a vivid memory of my childhood. Now, I can’t say the same …
What is Buccellato di Lucca? Ancient Bread Recipe
Buccellato di Lucca is from the Tuscan region and particularly – the city of Lucca. The bread is made with raisins, and it used to be the favorite of the Roman army. Shaped in the form of a ring or …
12 Things Italians Never Do
What do Italians Never do? Ahh, mamma mia… Italians never do certain things – some of it is because of tradition, while other things have to do with superstitions. This post will take a humorous look at things Italian never …
Gelato | Warning: Not All Are The Same
Gelato | Warning: Not All Are The Same There are hundreds of places for gelato in Italy. Literally, hundreds. But are all places the same for that yummy cold stuff? Gelato is an English term for ice cream made in …
How to Keep Italian Traditions Alive | Evening with Friends
Italian Traditions Italian traditions are deep-rooted in the culture of its people. Passed on by generation after generation, various traditions are sacred. Perhaps each generation makes a few changes – perhaps improvements but the basic tradition usually stands in tack. …