Tomorrow sees episode 3 and the last in the new series: Sicily Unpacked on BBC 2.

The TV guide says: “Andrew Graham-Dixon and Giorgio Locatelli explore how Sicilians are embracing their heritage, and reveal why the island’s future is linked to its past. They learn that a fisherman who found a 2,300-year-old statue donated it to his town, and get the chance to help restore ancient mosaics at the villa of Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina. They also discover how Michelin-starred chef Accursio Craparo combines Sicily’s food traditions with a modern twist, before meeting Prince Bernardo Tortorici.”

For those in Italy with access to UK TV Channels, it’s on BBC2 London at 21:00 until 22:00 (CET 22:00 – 23:00).

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ITALIAN REFLECTIONS VACATION COLLECTION is delighted to announce that Pamela Sheldon Johns has joined the collection this week.

Pamela Sheldon Johns is the author of sixteen books specializing in Italian traditional and regional ingredients. Originally from California, Johns has lived full-time in Tuscany for over 10 years at Poggio Etrusco, her organic farm/Bed & Breakfast in Montepulciano where she teaches cooking and produces an extra-virgin olive oil called “Pace da Poggio Etrusco.” Pamela has coordinated wine and food workshops in various regions of Italy for twenty years; contact Italian Food Artisans or Poggio Etrusco directly (mentioning IRVC!) for further information.

Pamela Sheldon Johns Joins Italian Reflections Vacation Collection belongs to Italian Reflections

Tomorrow sees episode 2 of the new series: Sicily Unpacked on BBC 2.

The TV guide says: “Andrew Graham-Dixon and Giorgio Locatelli explore the legacy of Spanish rule on the island and its influence on art and culture. During Easter, they experience Good Friday celebrations in the city of Enna, before enjoying a traditional lunch with a family living near Modica. The also appreciate one of painter Caravaggio’s works in Messina, and end their journey in Marsala, where General Giuseppe Garibaldi arrived with an army in 1860, leading to its eventual unification with Italy the next year.”

For those in Italy with access to UK TV Channels, it’s on BBC2 London at 21:00 until 22:00 (CET 22:00 – 23:00).

Sicily Unpacked (2 of 3) belongs to Italian Reflections

Tonight sees the start of a new series: Sicily Unpacked on BBC 2.

The TV guide says: “Andrew Graham-Dixon and Giorgio Locatelli journey across Sicily introducing each other to the things they love about the Mediterranean island. In the first edition, they visit a restaurant in the seaside village of Porto Paolo, where diners are served whatever is on the menu that day, and examine a chapel hidden away in Palermo, before taking the opportunity to explore the capital’s markets. They also learn how the Addiopizzo movement is defying the local Mafia, loosening its grip on the island.”

For those in Italy with access to UK TV Channels, it’s on BBC2 London at 21:00 until 22:00 (CET 22:00 – 23:00).

Sicily Unpacked (1 of 3) belongs to Italian Reflections

It’s over 10 years since the world’s first official wine spa opened in the Bordeaux region of France, since then many high-end spas around the world have sprung up.

Towards the end of last year Gayot, “the guide to the good life”, released it’s guide to the Top 10 Wine Spas Worldwide. The Italian Adler Thermae Spa Resort, Tuscany, was Italy’s only representative on the list.

For more information check out their website at www.adler-thermae.com – A possible highlight looks like the Bacchus Ritual, “a delightful combination of a bath enriched with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, grapeseed peeling and regenerating massage. Relaxation pure for body and soul”, at just over 1 euro a minute for a 100 minute session it could be good choice!

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Italian Reflections Daily is now available from the front page of Italian Reflections, So now one click really does it all! Just click the image in the right hand column of the front page or click the image below.

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Buon Natale e un Felice Anno Nuovo a tutti! – Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all!

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Turin’s Winter Olympics of 2006 propelled Val di Susa into the limelight with its major new skiing facilities.

Today there are some 1500 km of ski runs in Val di Susa, Piedmont, and trails set in a wonderful natural landscape. Try the runs for beginners, the extremely long off-trail routes through fresh snow or night skiing on illuminated slopes.

The resorts:

Cesana (1350m) is surrounded by rocky mountains covered with pine woods. The resort is part of the ‘Via Lattea’ (Milky Way). You can connect via lifts to Claviere, Sansicario as well as the Monti della Luna (Moon Mountains). Cesana also hosts one of the Bobsleigh World Cup competitions, featuring both men’s and women’s races every January.

Claviere (1760m) is a small traditional village offering stunning scenery and overlooked by the imposing Mont Chaberton (3,131m). There is not much space for beginners apart from the pleasant, small nursery area at the centre of the resort. It is therefore perhaps more suited for intermediate skiers with its delightful tree runs. For more advanced skiers there are some good red runs as well as some inspiring off-piste.

Sauze d’Oulx (1509m) is one of the major resorts in this area with nearly 400km of runs plus many big open pistes offering fabulous natural landscapes at every turn. This resort is great for intermediates. The town itself has an attractive old centre with many restaurants and bars.

Sestriere (2035m) is the highest and probably one of the busiest resorts in this area. Created in 1934 by Giovanni Agnelli, the founder of Fiat, Sestriere was Europe’s first officially purpose-built ski resort. More recently, major improvements were undertaken for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Today it features skiing for beginners and intermediates as well as for those more experienced with long black pistes and Olympic standard slalom runs. There is easy access to the rest of the ‘Vialattea’ as it is linked by lift to Pragelato, Sansicario and Sauze d’Oulx.

Montgenèvre (1850m), on the French side, is well suited for beginners because of the many gentle slopes. There are also lots of intermediate runs as well as the chance for some off-piste skiing.

Ten great reasons for choosing the Val di Susa resorts in Piedmont:

1. Cesana has large varied ski terrain
2. Cesana is great for families and snowboarders
3. Claviere is pretty with stunning scenery
4. Claviere has an excellent snow record
5. Sauze d’Oulx has easy access to 400km of slopes
6. Sauze d’Oulx has plenty of après-ski
7. Sestriere is great for intermediates and experts
8. Sestriere is family-friendly
9. Montgenèvre is very good value
10. Montgenèvre has a new luxury hotel and apartments

What to eat and drink:

In 1997 the Val di Susa obtained the designation ‘VALSUSA DOC’, reserved for red wine and obtained from grapes such as: Avanà, Barbera, Dolcetto, Neretta Cuneese, whether used alone or together. Much of this wine is produced on terraced vineyards up to an altitude of 1000 metres. Liqueurs from this area are made from wild herbs and flowers. Amaro alle Erbe Alpine, Garus Susino, Genepy and Genziana are to name but a few.

The area is also famous for its cold cuts and meats such as Bondiola, made with beef and pork, the medium-coarse grained Salame Mica and Prosciuttello dell’Alta Val di Susa, the only raw ham seasoned in Piedmont. Cheeses like Toma are ripened in caves, Brus, Murianengo and Tomino di Rubiana are other cheeses worth trying.

How to get there:

By Car: From Milan, A4 Autostrada direction Turin, then A32 Autostrada direction Frejus. From Turin, A32 Autostrada, exit at Oulx, then follow the signs to your resort. For example take the SP 214 from Oulx to Sauze D’Oulx, (83 km from Turin and 220 km from Milan) or take the SP 24 and 23 from Oulx to Sestriere. From Turin airport, look for signs for the Turin Tangenziale (ring road), follow through to the A32 Autostrada. Then take the A32 towards Bardonecchia and exit at Oulx. Take the S.S. 24 for Cesana Torinese, Claviere or Montgenèvre, followed by the S.S. 23 for Sestriere.

By Plane: The most convenient airports to the Valle di Susa are Milan and Turin. The Aeroporto di Torino (Turin) is about one hour whilst the Milan airport of Malpensa is about two hours. Both are well served by major airlines and budget ones such as Easyjet and Ryanair.

By Train: From Turin Airport go to the station and take a train on the Turin to Bardonecchi line to Oulx. From there you can take a bus or taxi direct to Sauze d’Oulx and the other resorts.

By Bus: From Turin airport there is a service to Cesana, Oulx and Sestriere every Saturday and Sunday. For more information: Cavourese Bus Company

Piedmont: Val di Susa Skiing Guide belongs to Italian Reflections

ITALIAN REFLECTIONS VACATION COLLECTION is delighted to announce that tgiFLORENCE, has joined the collection this week.

“Over 2000 years of history, art, culture, tradition, folkore and legend come together in this most special place. Let me accompany you on your discovery of one of the world’s most captivating cities and its surrounding Province. Together we’ll walk the same narrow streets that were the haunts of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Machiavelli, Galileo, Lorenzo the Magnificent and so many others!

With a degree in art history and graphic design from New York University and thirty years of experience in Tuscany, I share my passion and extensive knowledge of Florence, its art and history as well as its culture and cuisine with visitors from all over the world. Spend a few hours, a full day or more with me exploring Florence and its surrounding Tuscan treasures. Choose one of my tgiFLORENCE itineraries, come Cooking Together with Lo Studiolo… or contact me to design a personalized day just for you.”

Contact Eugene Martinez at tgiFLORENCE directly (mentioning IRVC!) for further information.

tgiFLORENCE Joins Italian Reflections Vacation Collection belongs to Italian Reflections

ITALIAN REFLECTIONS VACATION COLLECTION is delighted to announce that Tuscan Auteur, in Tuscany, has joined the collection this week.

“Growing up around the authentic tastes of an Italian-American kitchen proved fertile ground in the development of Lauren Cicione’s passion for gastronomy. After several years living a proper city life as a contemporary art dealer in Manhattan, she decided it was time for a change. In 2009, following her insatiable hunger for organic and naturally made food and wine and her inherent affinity for Italy, Lauren packed her taste buds, traded in her Manolo Blahniks for a pair of Wellies, and took off to Montalcino for an epicurean exploration of Tuscan life. Lauren has cooked and broken bread with brilliant local chefs, harvested grapes at celebrated local vineyards, and established herself amongst internationally renowned wine producers, many of whom now consider her part of the family. Fine-tuning her palate amid the prestigious Brunellos of Montalcino and culinary excellence of Tuscany, she has learned to appreciate the beauty of wine from the harvest to the glass and the freshest local dining from farm to plate. With Tuscan Auteur, Lauren shares her erudite sense of style and taste with her clients by opening the doors to an intimate and personal look at the people and wines of one of the most acclaimed growing regions in the world.”

Contact Tuscan Auteur directly (mentioning IRVC!) for further information.

Tuscan Auteur Joins Italian Reflections Vacation Collection belongs to Italian Reflections