I was 18 the first time I went to Europe. A graduation present from my parents, that week spent in Rome with my mother was a revelation.
Matera and Puglia have been conquered and re-conquered over the centuries by the Lombards, Byzantines, Normans, Romans, Greeks, and the Aragonese. The food and culture have been influenced by these invasions and by trade with Sicily, the Arab World, Africa, and Europe. This historical melting pot makes for unique and stunning architecture, a fusion of …
Undiscovered Italy: An Educational Wine Tasting Experience EVENT SOLD OUT Wine Tasting Travel Adventure Saturday, February 18 from 4-6 p.m. The Pickering House, 18 Broad St., Salem, MA On Saturday, February 18 from 4-6 p.m. Salem’s Pickering House on Broad Street will present a captivating talk along with a free wine tasting and travelogue on …
Read more about our tour to Corsica by clicking here! As travelers, we’re always looking for the destination that has it all. Maybe you choose a beach holiday, but there’s not a lot of history. Maybe you find history, but the location is overrun with tourists. It’s hard to find the perfect place to explore, …
This article was first published on BookCulinaryVacations.com. We all know Italy as gastronomic heaven, but it can be equally as easy to fall into a tourist restaurant in places like Rome, Florence, or Venice and have a meal that might have been better at an American Italian restaurant. If you’re looking to experience food and …
As the old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” But may we might suggest a more flavorful and unique use for those lemons? One word: limoncello. The bright yellow liqueur is as sunny as its place of origin – Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in Italy – and the lemon itself has …
When it comes to gastronomic pairings, there are few combinations more tantalizing than wine and cheese – but have you ever tried pairing fine wine and good chocolate? Although one might be more of a dessert course than an appetizer, choosing to combine a bold red wine with rich smooth chocolate might just be a …
Last May, a great group of travelers joined us on a trip to the Amalfi Coast & Isle of Capri. One traveler, after returning home from the trip and reflecting on some of the wonderful experiences she enjoyed, decided to write a story about her experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the story and asked permission to …
If one country just feels too limiting for your fall travel, consider organizing your trip around the 2015 Milan Expo, where 145 countries show off their best in cuisine, wine, agriculture, technology, art, and culture. The Expo’s one-mile promenade winds between 53 national pavilions: huge structures that showcase each country’s unique culture and contributions. With …
Ahh, beautiful Taormina. How fitting that we end our grand adventure of Italy with you. Now we see why so many Italian ballads are written for you. Before we arrive in our final destination, we visit the Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina. This impressive villa is another UNESCO World Heritage site; a fine …