Category Archives: Italy

When in doubt , head to Italy ! 

Italy is my favorite country in the world.  New York is where I wanted to live as a child , Italy (  Regions of Tuscany or Umbria ) are where I would love to retire.  Day 1 in Milan. We checked in at the Bulgari. A true test of a hotel is what they doContinue reading “When in doubt , head to Italy ! “

Day 4,5 and 6- Italy 

after bidding adieu to Portofino, our next stop was Porto Ercole. A Tuscan Island where locals go on holiday.  Before heading there we decided to do a slight detour to “The Mall”. A big designer outlet shopping center in Rappello , Tuscany.  We then headed to Porto Ercole. We stayed at the Argenterio Golf andContinue reading “Day 4,5 and 6- Italy “

Day 3 – Portofino-Cinque Terre

Day 3 we had decided to eat breakfast at the hotel ( delicious ) and head to Cinque Terre. We took the train from Santa Margarita to the furthest village Monterosso. There is an unlimited train ride option which we purchased. Monterosso is beautiful but due to the tourist influx, become a tourist town.    Continue reading “Day 3 – Portofino-Cinque Terre”

Day 2- Portofino, Italy 

We were well rested this morning , having slept 12 hours !! The bedroom was so dark and we had no screaming kids !  We got ready and walked down to the town on Portofino. The Belmond has 2 properties here. One high up on a hill ( where we were staying ) and oneContinue reading “Day 2- Portofino, Italy “

Day 1 – Portofino, Italy 

DH and I arrived in Rome and headed to pick up our rental car. ( better signage would have helped at the airport ). After an hours wait we got our cute Audi and we were off on the long drive to Portofino. (4 hrs ).     The long windy roads from Rapello to SantaContinue reading “Day 1 – Portofino, Italy “

I ain’t a chef – but you can train with one!

I received a cook book signed by Nancy Silverton as a present. I decided to try the ‘linguine with clams, pancetta and spicy Fresno chilis’. Now, the results were quite average. I discovered – I don’t care for clams. I prefer mussels. – it called for too many onions. So, I rather take a liveContinue reading “I ain’t a chef – but you can train with one!”

Sicilian Caponata- recipe from my friends at Orient Express hotel- Grand Timeo Orient Express

Sicilian caponata When I was the Grand Hotel Timeo, in April, 2012 I was served this dish and I fell in love with it. The sales manager was kind enough to remember to send me the recipe! 🙂 1 kg eggplants 300 grams red bell peppers N. 2 onions medium size 300 grams  celery hearts 150Continue reading “Sicilian Caponata- recipe from my friends at Orient Express hotel- Grand Timeo Orient Express”

Day 5- Florence , here we come! :)

Santa Croce church was our meeting point after a breakfast feast. We went to a leather and mosaic factory. The mosaic art was created in the 16 th century by the Medici family. It was used as inserts in panels , table tops etc. They use beeswax to join these pieces together. They start withContinue reading “Day 5- Florence , here we come! :)”