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The small town of Mantua is a gem of the Lombardy region–surrounded by lakes, with stunning Renaissance architecture from the days when the great Gonzaga family reigned here. Of its many palaces, most spectacular is Palazzo Ducale–a sprawling complex of courtyards and about 500 magnificent rooms. Have a Golden Day wandering around… The Hall of Tapestries… Zodiac Room… Camera degli Sposi (Bride’s Room) with beautiful Andrea Mantegna frescoes… It’s completely overwhelming. Which may be why what I find most enchanting in the Palazzo is tucked away on the ground floor: the tiny grotta and studiolo of Isabella d’Este==First Lady of the Renaissance. Isabella moved into the Palazzo in 1490, whenRead More →

It has been great fun to connect with Barbara Conelli, a writer who divides her time between New York and Milan. As she puts it, her mission is to “bring Fantastic Fearless Feminine Fun into women’s lives.” Barbara shares her passion for Milan in her book, Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita and is following that up with Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore. You can also listen to her delightful Radio Show AND Barbara’s Blog is a must click if you’re planning a visit to Milan–full of insider’s advice about everything from trattorias, to spas, gardens, and bookstores. I’m so grateful to have this expert join inRead More →

If you are anywhere near Milan, make plans to visit Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper. Sure, you’ve seen copies all over the place, but when you actually stand in the room with it, you’ll be astounded by how this Renaissance genius captured such a deep range of emotions in one of the Bible’s most dramatic moments: Immediately after Jesus makes the “One of you will betray me…” announcement. Also astounding is the fact that this mural has even survived. Always the experimenter, Da Vinci decided to try oil painting on dry wall, rather than follow the fresco style that everyone else was doing in the Renaissance. The result was disastorous–paint started peelingRead More →

Landing in the Fashion Capital of the World is a luxurious rush. If you’re like most travelers, (including me), a first visit starts at Milan’s gasp-inspiring   Duomo–a white marble Gothic wonder–the second largest church in the world. It’s worth it to take the elevator or steps to the rooftop where you’re surrounded by spires and statues. Down below in the magnificent Piazza Duomo, you’ll easily distinguish the tourists from the stylish Milanese–signoras gliding by you in furs, signors in impeccably tailored suits. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (the world’s oldest mall) will inevitably draw you in, and you can have a peek inside the first Prada store (foundedRead More →

One of the most wonderfully delicious times I’ve had in Italy was when my husband and I joined Arthur Schwartz’s Cook at Seliano group in Paestum. Arthur is a passionate expert when it comes to Italian cuisine—check out two of his many inspiring cookbooks: Naples at Table and The Southern Italian Table. It’s great fun to be around him and his co-host, Baronessa Cecilia Bellelli, who owns Tenuta Seliano, the agriturismo where the cooking vacation is based. Even if you’re not taking class, Tenuta Seliano is a perfect spot to relax in rural surroundings, eat very well, and explore Campania. Just a short walk away areRead More →

I always enjoy dinners with my friend Mary Sherman Indelli, where we trade stories of our Italian adventures. Mary has been in the travel biz for  over 35 years. She was inspired by her passion for her favorite country to create ItalyItalyItaly,  a company that offers customized tours in every region for groups or individuals. I envy Mary’s frequent research trips, where she hops around from countryside villas to boutique city hotels, checks out top wineries, cooking classes, and tour guides–and then comes home with loads of up-to-date contacts and experiences, so she can create itineraries that suit each client. “I always give travelers aRead More →

One stop before Pompeii on the Circumvesuviana train is Torre Annunziata, where you’ll discover Oplontis–an amazing villa where the Empress Poppea Sabina, (second wife of Nero) lived. She was  a high-maintenance woman, who insisted upon being carried about by mules shod with golden shoes, and needed to bathe daily in donkey milk, or as some say, the milk of 500 asses. Romans would come to relax in her villa, that was considered the suburbs of busy Pompeii.  Wandering about, through the salons, dining rooms, and interior gardens, you’ll get a feel of what life was like before the whole shebang got covered in lava inRead More →

As the dark, cold days of winter approach. I am dreaming of sunny, warm days in the heavenly village of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Which is why it’s wonderful to have Rosa Bella, creator of the gorgeous Bell’Avventura blog as our guest. Rosa has lived in Positano for 25 years, and fills her blog with her delightful experiences and photos of its hidden corners.  It’s not only dreamy to browse through, but also a great resource if you’re planning a trip there–as in check out her Dare to Be Different in Positano post, where she leads readers to such spots as The Best Place for aRead More →

Grazie Mille to all of you who commented with your Golden Tastes of Italy! What a Joy it is to read about all these delicious tastes! There was a Random Drawing, and here are the results: Louise Fiore = 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, by Susan Van Allen Greg Robson= Flavors of Rome, by Carol Coviello Malzone  Mariann Vandenberg = Secrets of My Tuscan Kitchen, by Judy Witts-Francini Karen (who commented about Cucina Povera Recipes) = Simple and Genuine, Mamma Agata’s Cookbook, by Chiara Lima Nancy Caronia = Cucina Povera, by Pamela Sheldon Johns Sally Watkins = Dream of Italy subscription fromRead More →

To Celebrate the Holidays: GOLDEN TASTES OF ITALY BOOK GIVEAWAY! FIVE BOOKS ABOUT ITALY AND AN ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION TO THE DREAM OF ITALY NEWSLETTER  WITH TWO BONUS DVDS  Will be given away to commenters selected in a RANDOM DRAWING It’s NOT a CONTEST, anyone who comments can win! TO PLAY: Complete This Sentence In The Comment Section Below: One Golden Taste of Italy for me was ________________________ Write the first thing that comes to your mind, for example… That cannoli stuffed with the freshest ricotta I savored in Sicily OR The taralli (flavored with anise) I made for Thanksgiving apertivo, that always reminds me of my nanaRead More →