My Top Ten Places in Italy

People ask me this all the time and you know what, it’s not an easy answer!  There are so many places that I love in this country, the list really could be a few pages long.  But last night, I decided to take the first ten that came to mind (in no given order):

1. Portovenere, Liguria

My bias is big here as it’s where I met my husband, but the place is just magical.  An 1000-year old + seaside village characteristic of Liguria and its “pirate-like mentality”  Anyone who visits the region should spend a day here.

http://www.portovenere.it

2. Mendolia Beach, Sicily

A simply beautiful cove just down the hill from Taormina where you can swim in crystal clear waters, soak up a little sun, enjoy a good meal ( the beach clubs makes some of the best canoli I’ve ever had!) and even visit the villa of Isola Bella.

http://www.mendoliabeachclub.it

3. Mercato Centrale, Florence

Built in the 1860‘s, this is a considerably new addition to Florence.  It was my “life line” when I first moved to Italy as a student.  I would get up early to do a little shopping before school, when it was full of little old ladies fighting over the produce!  You can find just about everything here, food and drink wise.  It’s an attraction all on its own.

http://goitaly.about.com/od/florenceitaly/ss/florence_walk_3.htm

4. Any beach in Puglia

With over 800 km (500 miles) of coastline, one is bound to find that perfect little beach spot. Be it on a white sand beach or craggily rock formations, the Adriatic sea will command you to enter her sublime waters for a swim or two.

www.discoverpuglia.com

5. Rooftop at Rinascente, Milan

Whenever I’m in Milano, this is one of the first things I do...head to the top of this department store for a caffè or glass of wine overlooking the Duomo.  The view stuns me as it feels like you could actually touch it!

http://www.rinascente.it/foodandrestaurants/

6. Da’Adolfo, Positano

This private, little beach can only be reach by boat (look for the one with a red fish on it in the Positano harbor).  Here you can take a lounge chair for the day and enjoy a fantastic lunch right on the beach at it’s little shack restaurant (try the pasta with clams and pumpkin or spaghetti with calamari and tomatoes). Make a day of it - you will really feel as if you are on vacation!

http://www.daadolfo.com

7. Ortisei, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol

Charm does not even begin to describe this mountain resort village with its cupcake like building set in a dramatic valley surrounded by steep peaks and ski slopes. Additionally, you do not want to miss their fabulous breads and desserts such as “Le Fanziëutes da mëiles” (fried pastry with apples inside) and “Crafons da pavè” (krapfen with poppy seeds).

http://www.val-gardena.net/ortisei_en.htm

8. Salina, Sicily

Basically anywhere on this island could be summed up as paradise for me.  In my dream world, we would have a second home there.  Lush, rustic, lively, relaxing, beautiful beyond words and home to my favorite hotel in italy, Hotel Signum.  And there is nothing quite like the granite with gin you can get on this island!

http://www.thinksicily.com/guide-to-sicily/islands-and-archipelagos/the-island-of-salina.aspx

9. Piazza di San Marco, Venice

I know, I know, it’s so popular and it can be a zoo, but is there anywhere like it (or Venice on the whole)???  In my opinion, no.  I love to sit down outside in one of the bars with a “spritz con aperol” and enjoy the music and atmosphere.  Despite its hefty price (at least €10 per drink), it’s a priceless scene.

http://www.venice-tourism.com

10. Solaro di Lerici, Liguria

Where you might ask?!  That would be my borgo on the hill above Lerici.  To be specific, our terrace.  In the summer, it becomes my office, my refuge from the heat, my inspiration for meals, and our hand holding sanctuary after a long work day.  There is something hypnotic about it.

What about you?  What are your top 10 favorite places in Italy?  

Would love to see some other bloggers out there come up with their list!

BUON WEEKEND!

Tegame di Vernazza

I had an itching for anchovies.  Just love them.  Poor little guys get a bad rap, especially in the states where the only use for them seems to be in caesar salad dressing or on top of a pizza.  But these tiny, shiny, very pretty little fish (look at one closely) are jam-packed with flavor (and not fishy flavor like you might think) and a whole bunch of fabulous vitamins to keep us healthy. 

In a world where certain fish (that are less good for us) are going extinct, we need to rethink our fish intake and start to recognize that “pesci poveri” (poor fish) or “pesci azzuri” (blue fish) are, in fact, one of the best “meats” a person can eat. They are also plentiful and inexpensive.  Along with yummy little anchovies, this fish group includes sardines and mackerel.  All it takes is a little educating and trying out a few recipes to find there is nothing fishy about these fish.

Ok, I’ll get off my soapbox now and give you the recipe! This is a very typical dish of Le Cinque Terre (hence the name with Vernazza in it!) and very easy to make:

1/2 kilo of fresh anchovies 

2 large potatoes

1 large tomatoes

A handful of Italian parsley

1 clove of garlic 

olive oil

1 cup of white wine

Pre heat oven at 200° C (about 400° F)

The cleaning of the anchovies is the only real time consuming part of this recipe.  In order to clean an anchovy, you have to “pop” off the top of the head and then pull down to take out the insides.  Then along the same cut, open the rest of the body with your finger and pull out the spine.  Ok, might sound really gross, but once you do one, you’ll almost find it rewarding to continue, no joke!  If you get skirmish about these things, your fish monger will probably take care of the cleaning for you. 


Cut the potato into thin slices (about 1 cm thin) and then chopped up the tomatoes into little pieces.  Mince the parsley and garlic together along with a little salt and if you like, as I do, a little red pepper flakes for some punch.

Use either a pan with sides (ceramic or tin, but with tin use “carta al forno” underneath) and then start lining the pan in layers starting with the potatoes, then the anchovies, then a bit of the parsley mix, then the tomatoes, then a few more anchovies and parsley mix.  

Sprinkle the top with olive oil and the white wine.   Cover with aluminum foil and cook for 30-35 minutes.  What comes out is a flavorful and super healthy “secondo piatto” for 4.

Please try this dish and let me know if I have converted you to an anchovy lover like me!

BUON WEEKEND

Varese Ligure:

Another Hidden Gem of Liguria

Old Photo of Varese

Find yourself 30 minutes inland from the Mediterranean sea (and Sestri Levante) and you will find Italy’s “organic valley” and the charming village of Varese Ligure. My pal, Kate at LittleParadiso, took me on a “field trip” to visit this beautiful area, celebrate my birthday with a typical and delicious Ligurian lunch and pick up a few “biological” products along the way. Knowing that Kate is going to write a fabulous blog on Varese, I’ll just post a few photos from our day to give you an idea...

A village full of color...

Skinniest home I've ever seen!

The Fortress

More & more Ligurian colors...

Medieval Walkways

Hidden Passageways

La Madonna in Sassi

The Cathedral

Last but not least...

Crepes of chestnut flour and pesto!

Cento...

My Village

Today is my 100th blog post.  I was hoping to do something kind of fun & interesting for the occasion, but my time has been so limited lately (which always effects my creative juices!).  So instead, it's just going to be a simple one, to my fellow bloggers.

I really, really enjoy blogging. Maybe even more, I enjoy reading other people's blogs.  I think this concept is so fascinating: you find a common ground (in my case Italy) with a group of strangers, yet overtime and many blogs, they become like good friends without even meeting face to face.  I've learned so much from so many people's different experiences here in Italy.  And let me tell you, some of you are just incredible writers.  I'm often inspired!

I look forward to posting my next 100 blogs - and I hope they are just as fun & interesting for you all as it is for me to read yours.

Buona settimana...

Back to Reality...

I'm getting off my "Sicily kick" (for now) and returning to Liguria.  The truth is, I live in one of the most beautiful and colorful places in the world.  I invite you to peak into the place I call home...