My Biggest Regret in Venice, Italy

I do not have many regrets about my travels to the charming city of Venice. Even missing out on a gondola ride through the canal didn't leave me feeling all empty inside. What did leave a vacant spot in my soul was related to a famous bar and its even more famous cocktail. My biggest regret [...]

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6 Amazing Northern Italy Views

Most of my time in Northern Italy was spent with my jaw dropped, nearly to the ground. There may have even been some dribbles of drool on my chin. There were stunning views everywhere. It's hard to narrow it down, but these are my favorite six: 1. Tuscan Countryside from Orvieto, Italy Just about any [...]

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Italian Happy Hour at Note di Vino in Florence, Italy

I love a good happy hour. Then again, what's not to love? Cheap drinks. Cheap nibbles. And all before 5 o'clock. On our first day in Florence we strolled aimlessly down the cobbled streets looking for some light fare and a glass of Italian vino. We asked a gentlemen moseying by where we could find just that [...]

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Recreating My Favorite Italian Pastry, Millefoglie Glassato al Pistacchio

In the brisk morning hours in Florence, there was only one thing I wanted to do, go to the local Pasticceria and devour my new favorite pastry Millefoglie Glassato al Pistacchio. Millefoglie is an Italian dessert made by layering puff pastry with either a pastry or chantilly cream. We had discovered this little flaky piece [...]

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11 Things Italian Restaurants Do Differently

My husband Peter and I own an Italian restaurant. And pardon my bluntness or lack of modesty, but it's a pretty damn good Italian restaurant. We have spent many sleepless nights working on creating a memorable experience for our guests that focuses on reinventing traditional Italian dishes. This is why dining in Northern Italy was [...]

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A Photo Tour of the Venice Canals | Italy

I am having a serious love affair with Venice. I lay awake at night fantasizing about our next date. This is not just lust. This adoration happened even though all the naysayers warned me of my loves potent sewer smell, pricey restaurants and overcrowded streets. But, all I could see was the fantastical labyrinth of canals. Maybe after dating [...]

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The Tower of Pisa…it Leans | Italy

On our tour of Tuscany I planned the shortest pit stop in Pisa. Several travel sites reported that the Leaning Tower of Pisa was a must-see, but not worthy of a sleepover. Which was okay, because my clean PJs were packed away, ready for tonights slumber party in Siena. We were coming from a focaccia-filled trip to [...]

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Farinata & Focaccia at La Cambusa | Cinque Terre, Italy

I definitely wasn't going to leave Italy without chomping on a soft, light piece of carb-infested focaccia.  Next to gelato, it was the most talked about must-eat food and I don't like to miss out on…anything. Though there are focaccia joints scattered all over Italia, when we selected La Cambusa in Manarola, Cinque Terre, we did ourselves good.    La [...]

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Romance on the Via Dell’Amore Trail | Cinque Terre, Italy

Peter and I are NOT romantic, cute…maybe, but you will definitely not find us making out in the corner of a restaurant, cuddling on the couch by candelight or even feeding each chocolate covered strawberries. But, if we didn't have a shot at romance in Italy…in Cinque Terre…on what is known as the Lover's Walk, we might [...]

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Scaling the 463 Stairs of the Duomo | Florence

After loading up on the essential focaccia carbs at the Mercato Centrale in Florence, Peter and I headed to the Duomo, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori. A so-called "friend" had told us that climbing to the top of the Duomo was an experience not to be missed. What he forgot to share was that [...]

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