5 Romantic Cities in Italy (Not the Ones You Think)

February 12, 2019 Leslie Rosa

We all love the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome and Venice—oh, how we love them! However, Italy offers so much more than these well-loved (and well-trodden) cities and coasts. A plethora of off-the-beaten-path gems are waiting to host your next romantic getaway in Italy—whether that be a solo trip or one with a significant other. Below are a few of my faves this year. My Valentine’s treat to you. And, as a bonus, I’ve included a regional wine pairing for each. Enjoy!

Wine of the Month | A Do-Good Bottle To Kick Off the New Year

January 28, 2019 Leslie Rosa

Marco Pasanella with January’s Wine of the Month

While back in my hometown of New York City over the holidays, I was on the hunt for a perfect wine-of-the-month for January. My search led me to Pasanella & Son, a small wine merchant found in the South Street Seaport area of lower Manhattan.

A lot has changed to South Street Seaport since my childhood when my parents would take me and my sisters for ice cream and weekend strolls along the waterfront. Gone are many of the fishmongers and the old Pier 17, which have been replaced by high-end restaurants, European design shops, and exhibitions organized by the Prada Foundation. Some of this is due to the exodus of businesses during hard times post-September 11th or the fallout from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, some of it is just the ever-changing face of New York City…but, I digress. What you notice right away about Pasanella & Son is its respectful nod to history:

A Weekend in Matera: What to see, do, eat and drink in the city of caves

January 11, 2019 Leslie Rosa

If you haven’t heard of Matera—a small town carved into a canyon in Southern Italy’s region of Basilicata (the instep of the boot)—you will soon. This year, the city of caves is waking from a long hibernation and making a splash as the European Union’s Capital of Culture. For good reason too:

Wine of the Month | Heart-warming Red from the Dolomites

December 24, 2018 Leslie Rosa

La Dolce VIgna - WIne of the Month - December - Castel Noarna.jpg

For December, I knew I wanted to feature a red wine from a mountainous region in Italy that is big enough to warm the heart, but still balanced and versatile to go with all of the food that accompanies the holidays. En route to the Castkills, I stopped in to Kingston Wine Co., just a few hours north of New York City, where owner Michael suggested this beautiful wine from the Dolomites in northern Italy.

Dianne Hales: On Italy and Passion

December 22, 2018 Leslie Rosa

I had the opportunity to sit down with writer Dianne Hales earlier this month over a couple of cappucini at Emporio Ruli in Larkspur, California, and talk with her about her new book, La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World.

What NOT to do in Italy | A Lesson on Cultural Manners

September 25, 2018 Leslie Rosa

From my years of experience living, working, and traveling in Italy, I have found that the Italians are an easy-going people, happy to connect with visitors and to share their incredibly rich culture. That being said, there ARE some things that get under their skin. If you want to be considered a traveler and not a tourist, then don’t do these 10 things:

Why Are Roses Planted at the End of Vine Rows?

July 27, 2018 Leslie Rosa

One of the questions that come up on almost every tour I do is "Why are roses planted at the end of the vine rows?". So, to answer this question once and for all (or until my next tour): drum roll please...

Made in Florence | 10 Artisan Shops You Will Love

April 5, 2018 Leslie Rosa

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, has a long history of being a center for culture and craft. If there are any doubts, one just needs to look around at the impressive architecture and the abundance of art found in the city's museums, galleries, administrative buildings--and, really, just about anywhere. Less obvious, however, are the artisans whose studios and shops can sometimes get overlooked amidst the big designer stores or hidden behind humble storefronts.

The following list highlights my favorite artisanal shops in Florence, offering everything from leather sandals to shampoo, from silver to marbled paper. Part of being a responsible traveler is to make sure your converted dollars are being used to support the local economy, seeking out souvenirs made by artisans and historical purveyors of artisanal products rather than poor-quality trinkets imported from other countries. Go ahead and shop your heart out at any of these. Not only will you feel good for helping to sustain long-lived traditions, but you will be getting superior products made with skill and passion.

Italian Sparkling Wines

December 27, 2017 Leslie Rosa

As the end of the year approaches, and heartfelt toasts abound, I thought this would be a good moment for this friendly reminder: France isn't the sole producer of fine sparkling wines, and Italy's sparkling wine industry is not just about prosecco. Here are some of my favorite classic-method sparkling wines coming from northern Italy that will sparkle and shine in your raised glass and dance the night away on your palette!

Mix Tape | "Ma Che Freddo Fa" by Nada

November 16, 2017 Leslie Rosa

There are some perfect pairs out there: Malbec and steak. Bloody Marys and brunch. Netflix and the couch. As its pours outside on this cold, dark Thursday eve, I am reminded of another one: Rainy days and sad songs. The second track for our Italian mix tape, following Paolo Conte's Via Con Me, is a song that I learned while living in Italy, "Ma Che Freddo Fa" ("How Cold It Is"), made famous by the Italian singer Nada at Italy's Sanremo Music Festival in 1969 when she was just 16-years old. Though singing about unrequited love, her performance--at times timid, at times feisty--can't help but warm your heart.

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