The rankings are in. Gelato around Rome and around Italy have been tasted, felt, experienced, and seen, and here’s the results of all those sweet, refreshing efforts. Each gelato was ranked on five categories weighted in the following manner: Taste (40%), Texture (25%), Color (15%), Ambiance (15%), and Price (5%)
While in Rome, I am put in charge of making the dinner reservations for the family. Having had some practice navigating foreign cities and finding places to eat over the last many months, I feel ready for the task. In addition, in my previous visits to Rome, staying with two friends very involved in the [...]
Appetizers: Filangee of Carrots in white balsamic vinegar with black sesame seeds Pancetta stuffed with prunes in Negroamaro wine sauce First course: Tagliolini with Guanciale and filangee of Roman zucchini on yellow pumpkin sauce Second course: Veal and pork “Straccetti” in the Pizzaiola style Eggplant a la “Parmigiana” Desserts: Ricotta cheese mousse with Amaretta in [...]
Many moons have passed With much happening anew Since we had all amassed But now to Rome we flew. Early in the morn we start We’re on the road by six So that for Rome we can depart Where we’ll meet the other kids Tourists and cobble stones In a city hard to navigate Leave [...]
There were a couple changes, in no particular order, that I experienced when traveling with my parents: Bedtime moves to 10:30pm Nicer meals More map folding Automatic shifting rental car More talk about grandchildren Nicer accommodations Greater patience needed Increased planning Good meal conversation Never missing breakfast
A little shopping, a little eating, a little resting, a little writing, and a little reading, all followed by dinner at the apartment and a choral performance in the evening. Now that we are on our last day in Lucca, we can confirm that the apartment where we spent the week worked very well. We [...]
With Lucio Dalla (listen here) playing through the car speakers, Mom, Dad, and I set off for Florence. After the adrenaline rush of driving through the city and finding parking, we go straight to the Galleria degli Uffizi. In one building, we are able to enjoy the works of Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Botticelli, Giotto, and [...]
Our first day in Lucca is spent within the limits of the city walls. In addition to appreciating the beautiful churches and piazzas, we are also lucky to be there on the third Sunday of a summer month, the day that Lucca has a large antique market. This market, centered around Piazza San Guisto and [...]
Our last morning in Oriveto is spent underground. Orvieto hides caves and tunnels in the volcanic rock on which the city is build. In these underground passages that were originally mainly accessible by private homes above, we find wells, stairs, quarries, cellars, pigeon farms, and more. After a tour of the underground and a quick [...]