Last May
This time one year ago, in May 2017, I was deep in the business of the biggest move I’ve ever done, from Italy back to the USA.
Continue reading “Last May”
foodstorie/s | Last Desserts
If you had to choose one last dessert, the last you’d ever eat, what would it be? Continue reading “foodstorie/s | Last Desserts”
Arrivederci, Italia
There are several ways to say goodbye in Italian: “A presto,” see you soon; “Ciao,” bye (also hi!); “Addio,” a final farewell; and “Arrivederci,” see you again. I’m saying arrivederci to Italy, because this time next month, I’ll be on a plane back to America, but it doesn’t mean my story with Italy is over. Continue reading “Arrivederci, Italia”
Where to find art nouveau in Turin
The allure of Turin is its style. The city is not flashy or showy, but elegant while never being overbearing, grand but not intimidating. It’s a city of 2.2 million inhabitants, but if you walk through it at 3 pm on a Wednesday afternoon, it will feel as quiet as my hometown of 4,000. Continue reading “Where to find art nouveau in Turin”
Exploring Campidoglio, Turin’s neighborhood of murals
Turin is an old signora who wears silk scarves in spring, perfectly pressed linens in summer, and her 50s-era mink coat in autumn and winter. Her hair and makeup are perfectly done, and she lives in a splendid, high-ceilinged palazzo with chandeliers and art nouveau trimming. Continue reading “Exploring Campidoglio, Turin’s neighborhood of murals”
Why spring is Italy’s best season
Every season in Italy is beautiful in its own way—panettone in winter! The seaside in summer, grape harvest in fall!—but come spring, this country comes alive like no other. And this coming from a die-hard autumn lover, at least when it comes to everywhere else in the world. Continue reading “Why spring is Italy’s best season”
A hidden surprise to visit in Milan
All cities have been described, at one point, as “full of surprises.” After all, cities are inherently guaranteed to be diverse, made of different neighborhoods, hidden streets, and pockets of culture. But not many cities hide unexpected surprises with the same pedigree as Milan. Continue reading “A hidden surprise to visit in Milan”
Wine Pass | Book review. So you want to move to Italy?
I recently reviewed a great Piedmont book on Wine Pass: Piedmont – The Dream, the House, the Life, by Jesper Remo and Erik Bjorn. Continue reading “Wine Pass | Book review. So you want to move to Italy?”
Italy’s Culture Code
My reading repertoire includes 80% fantasy and 19% nonfiction, to temper all that epic storytelling (and 1% other: I do enjoy other genres…yet inevitably feel like they’re lacking in something. Castles, or magic).
I recently finished The Culture Code by Clotaire Rapaille. And it got me thinking about the culture code for Italy. Continue reading “Italy’s Culture Code”
Runaway cheese and tasting classes
At the University of Gastronomic Sciences, some of my favorite classes were tasting classes. Not just because this meant eating chocolate for breakfast or drinking wine all afternoon, but because the lessons taught us what good quality means. Continue reading “Runaway cheese and tasting classes”
