It(aly) makes cents: Turin by Lara Statham

Turin sits elegantly astride the River Po with an Alpine backdrop; once home to the Royal House of Savoy, its grand palazzos, imposing churches and beautiful piazzas make it a truly unique Italian city.

And you don’t need to spend a fortune; indeed you can have a great time in Turin in 10 tempting spots for just €10…!

Visit
17th Century dwelling of Anne d’Orleans, Villa della Regina, Strada Santa Margherita is free to visitors. Magnificent – don’t miss! Free

Marvel
Marvel indeed at this luxuriously decorated church. La Consolata, Piazza della Consolata is also conveniently located opposite Cafe Al Bicerin. Free

Explore
Just walk and explore Turin’s historical centre on foot…Piazza Castello, Il Quadrilatero, La Cittadella, Il Centro and La Collina…Free

Be amazed
An abundance of fresh produce to tempt the taste buds at Porta Palazzo market, much at just €1 a kilo.

Break
Hip and arty, La Drogheria, Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 18 is for breaks with style. Espresso just €1.

Contemplate
Passion for reading at Circolo Dei Lettori, via Bogino, 9. Relax in a quiet, contemplative, stress free zone for Free.

People watch
Take in the majestic surroundings and soak up the atmosphere in Carlo di Castellamonte’s beautifully designed Piazza San Carlo. Free

Music
Café des Arts, via Principe Amedeo, 33/f, an exhibition space for young artists and musicians, hosts free weekly concerts. Free

Window-shop
It has to be via Roma! Lined with elegant porticos and designer boutiques…Perfect for an afternoon passeggiata. Free

Aperitivo
Café Roberto, via Po, 5 boasts one of the most sumptuous aperitifs in town. Combine with Prosecco for €8!

Lara says: “Originally from the UK. I’m now a freelance journalist and writer here in Turin, where I’ve lived and worked for the past 15 years. Since I feel like I’ve lived here for so long, and seen so many changes in this great city, I think it’s time people knew about the place. Everyone knows Florence, Rome and Venice but not many people know about the real Turin…”

Please join me at  This is Turin to find out more about this wonderful city.

Next stop…Rome with Rick Zullo!

It(aly) Makes Cents: Turin belongs to Italian Reflections

It(aly) makes cents: Naples by Bonnie Alberts

The city of the sun, the sea and the Volcano, Naples, is life lived on the street! Private spaces mingle with public places, and for many, an apartment is just a place to sleep (and of course eat).

Entertainment abounds, much of it for free. In fact, you don’t need to spend a centissimo, except perhaps for food. Of course knowing the Neapolitan hospitality as I do, strike up a conversation with someone on the street and you just might find yourself sitting at their kitchen table for lunch.

Bask

Bask in a bevy of Baroque art, commune with Saint Thomas Aquinas and see 45 Aragonese tombs at San Domenico Maggiore Church. Free

Be baffled

Be baffled, bemused, or blown away by the always thought provoking exhibits at PAN, Palazzo delle Arti. Free (charges may apply for special exhibits)

Be inspired

Be inspired by Virgil, one of the most important writers in history, at his tomb and Crypta Neapolitana in Parco Vergiliano a Piedigrotta. Free

Capture

Capture an award winning shot of the sun rising over Vesuvius at Fontana dell’Immacolata on Via Partenope. Free

Join

Join joggers, bikers, strollers, and lovers for a passeggiata along Lungomare, Naples stunning, seafront promenade. Free

Lose

Lose yourself in the literary offerings and peruse to your hearts content among the numerous bookstore along Via Port’Alba.  Free

Savour

Savour the best caffe in the world and save €1,60 (or more) taking your caffe at the bar. People and barista watching is free.

Seek

Seek favour from and care for, one of the Lost Souls of Purgatory, Anime Pezzentelle, at the Fontanelle Cemetery. Free

Shop

Shop the Pignasecca for fresh fruit, bread, cheese and a jug of €2 wine. Head to Palazzo Reale and take your picnic with Mimmo Palladino’s horses in the Giardino Romantico over looking Castel Nuovo.

Zig-zag

Zig-zag down Salita della Pedimentina’s 414 elongated steps, 650 meters, from a Castle to a Corso, amid a patchwork of rooftops and cupolas. Free

Bonnie says: “Beautiful, chaotic, unbending, romantic, confusing. That is Naples, Italy and that is why I love living here.

I’m a freelance writer and photographer with a degree in Historic Preservation.

Passionate about my adopted home, for me Naples is the perfect canvas. From its breathtaking vistas to its rich cultural heritage, I could live here a lifetime and never see it all, photograph it all, or write about it all. But I’m willing to give it a try!

Join me for an insiders view of Napoli as I uncover her sights, sounds and flavors at Napoli Unpluuged!

Next stop in this new series is Turin with Lara Statham!

It(aly) makes cents: Naples belongs to Italian Reflections

Three Italian Restaurants made the Top 50, whilst France and the U.S.A. were the two countries with the most number of restaurants on the list with six places each in the top 50.

The Italian Restaurants were:

At number 3, Osteria Francescana , Modena, Emilia Romagna, where tradition and modernity collide under chef-patron Massimo Bottura.

The Restaurant says: “Our Cooking is a collision of ideas, cultures, techniques and gestures.”

At number 27, Le Calandre, Padua, Veneto, where Massimiliano ‘Max’ Alajmo’s cooking is traditional with the occasional contemporary twist.

The Restaurant says: “Max’s cuisine is based on the concepts of depth, lightness and fluidity, is poetry on a plate. Inspiration for his distinctive dishes comes from looking at the world with a sense of discovery.”

At number 40, Combal.Zero, Rivoli, Turin, where extreme culinary boundary-pushing becomes an art form under chef-patron Davide Scabin.

The Restaurant says: “Davide calculates and codifies everything from the rhythm of the cooking times to the handling and service.”

For the full list check out The World’s 50 Best Restaurants website.

3 Italian Restaurants in World’s Top 50 belongs to Italian Reflections

Tonight sees BBC1′s MasterChef in Florence and Ravello:

The T.V. guide says: “After seven weeks of tough competition, remaining hopefuls Dale, Larkin and Natalie enter the last week – three consecutive nights of culinary challenges, after which one of them will be crowned MasterChef Champion. To begin, they are sent on a culinary odyssey of Italy, to learn from two of the country’s most highly regarded food experts – legendary rustic cook Mamma Agata and Italo Bassi, one of two `first chefs’ at Florence’s Enoteca Pinchiorri restaurant, which has held three Michelin stars for almost a decade. The contestants take masterclasses with both, and then put their new skills into practice, cooking an elite lunch for luminaries of the Florentine art world.”

For those in Italy with access to UK TV Channels, its on BBC 1, Monday 30th April at 22:00 until 23:00 CET (21:00 p.m. – 22:00 p.m. GMT).

MasterChef in Florence belongs to Italian Reflections

The Art of Writing, a retreat in the Casentino Mountains of Tuscany:

If you need help with your writing, join our writers workshop from 8th to 14th June and 14th to 20th September 2014.

The workshops and lectures are geared to both first time and established writers and conducted by two successful authors Lisa Clifford and James Friel.

Lisa says: “The classes will offer valuable information and networking opportunities and enable you to concentrate on how to get your work into a condition to be published.

Our workshops combine lectures from guest speakers – providing you with literary interaction with several published authors. There will also be time for relaxation by the beautiful swimming pool or discovery and solitude from a walk in the nearby woods.

However, you will be expected to work intensively, spending the morning in lectures, writing in the afternoon, gaining feedback from your tutors and through interaction with your group.

Morning lectures include classes on structure, drafting, point of view, dialogue, description, scenes, writing from a sense of place and how to get your work published.

Evening workshops combine discussion and lectures from guest speakers that specialise in fiction, memoir, biography, historical, romance, creative non-fiction, blogging and internet presence.

All this combined with talks from other guest writers and the attention and feedback you may need to encourage the creative process.”

For full information on accommodation and pricing please check The Art of Writing website.

Contact Lisa at info@the-art-of-writing.com

The Art of Writing 2014 belongs to Italian Reflections

If you´re thinking of teaching English in Italy here are a few simple Dos and Don’ts to help make the process easier!

Dos:

Do… choose to teach in a state school oppose to a private language school. You could earn more working in the state system than for a private language school. It also means that you will only work until 2pm, giving you free afternoons and evenings. Whereas in private education it is often required that you work until 10pm or 11pm.

Do… submit your CV and cover letter in Italian. This is essential. You are unlikely to be considered otherwise.

Do… build a rapport with the right people. If you find that there are not any positions available at the time make sure you get noticed and are remembered. Offer to help out with a school activity or perhaps offer to meet with a teacher on a voluntary basis to help them practice their English conversation skills. This will stand you in good stead the next time an opportunity becomes available.

Do… become an “English Expert”. This is the easier way to get an individual teaching job in a public school. As unless you have an Italian degree or an Italian Teaching Qualification or have convinced the authorities that the degree from your home country is valid (it’s not easy) then you will have to be accompanied in class by another teacher.

Do… make sure you highlight any past teaching experience. An applicant with experience will almost always be taken over one who does not.

Don´ts:

Don´t… simply address your CV and cover letter to the School. Make sure your application finds its way to the right person. This means sending it directly to the Head of English at the school. It is also recommendable that you deliver your application in person. This gives you the chance to market yourself on the spot.

Don´t… expect that the selection process is the same in each school. Sometimes it could be a case of only sending in your CV. In other cases there could be a more lengthy process of interviews and selection rounds. Be prepared!

Don´t…expect that speaking English is enough. Although you will only speak English in the classroom you will need to have a competent level of Italian. The majority of schools will not be willing to take you on unless this is the case.

Don´t… be put off by the competition. There can be significant competition for each teaching position but universities and schools are always on the look-out for native English speakers and opportunities constantly come available due to the staff high turnover rates.

Don´t… give up. For example if you try to deliver your CV and cover letter in person, ask for the Head of English and don´t take no for an answer! You´ll probably be told that they are busy but wait and keep going back until you are seen. Also if you are rejected the first time, keep sending your CV each time a position becomes available.

The DOs and DON’Ts of Teaching English in Italy belongs to Italian Reflections

Fortunately the editors at Startle.com have scoured the globe and found ten of the best honeymoon hotels where you and yours can really enjoy your recent matrimony. And the Island of Capri hosts the only Italian Hotel listed.

Startle says about itself that “its the luxury lifestyle platform that combines the objectivity and heritage of the Forbes Travel Guide star rating system with insightful recommendations from a hand-selected group of tastemakers and travel experts”

As to the hotel, J.K. Place Capri, they say: “The idyllic Italian island of Capri is where you’ll find this exquisitely charming hotel. J.K. Place Capri‘s elegant nautical theme is appropriate for its waterfront setting overlooking the Marina Grande port. The only bad thing about honeymooning at J.K. Capri is you may have a hard time leaving your guest room. The villas here feature romantic canopy beds and views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.”

For the full list check out the Startle website.

Capri Listed as 1 of the 10 Honeymoon Havens for 2013 belongs to Italian Reflections

The Radio Times says: “Correspondence by economist Gustavo Piga, Huffington Post editor Lucia Annunziata, Five Stars campaigner Carlo Sibilia, journalist Annalisa Piras and novelist Dacia Maraini provides an insight into the events that have placed the international spotlight on Italy in recent months. The writers express their thoughts on a range of subjects including the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the announcement of his successor, and the country’s economic fragility and political developments.”

Check out the BBC Radio 4 website

Letters from Italy belongs to Italian Reflections

Seven of the one hundred and fifty four hotels listed were in Italy and here they are, which one would you choose?

Monastero Santa Rosa

The Hotel says: “Striking the perfect balance of seclusion without solitude, Monastero Santa Rosa allows guests to determine the tone of their stay, whether they’re looking to disappear for an intimate getaway or gather with the group and make new acquaintances. It’s hard to imagine that the generous grounds, filled with four levels of gardens, lush landscaping, plentiful lounge chairs, and canopied daybeds, serve just 20 rooms and suites. Where most boutique properties might only offer in-room massages, Monastero Santa Rosa hosts a fully equipped spa to rival any major city spa, offering not just treatment rooms, but large-scale amenities that include a sauna, steam, mosaic-tiled experience shower, hydro pool, and tepidarium.

Guests are welcome to feel a part of the scene at the library and bar. Engage in a game of chess or cards or read while sipping a martini in the modern cocktail area. Relax down by the pool or discover the resort’s secret gardens, quiet sun decks, and indoor relaxation areas. Get the best of both worlds by making your stay as energizing or relaxed as you wish, by selecting different spaces to suit your mood at any time.”

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Matera

The Hotel says: “The Palazzo has been completely restored by Francis Coppola and acclaimed French designer Jacques Grange, creating a luxurious, authentically Italian experience that ushers guests into a private world of palatial comfort, surrounded by gardens, courtyard and swimming pool, all just steps from a small, bustling town in which the visitor is a friend and neighbor rather than a tourist.

Francis wanted the Palazzo to become a place that his children would want to visit again and again, and therefore invited the whole family to contribute ideas to the design. The interior is styled with tiled floors as well as Moroccan and Baroque-inspired hand-painted fresco ceilings. Grange designed some of the exotic tiles and furniture, including one of the most beautiful suites, which is in a Tunisian style to honor Francis Coppola’s Tunisian-born grandmother. All of the floors in the Palazzo have been restored from the original marble.”

TownHouse Street Milano Duomo

The Hotel says: “The second TownHouse Street opened in Milan during Spring 2012. This new hospitality space, unlike the first one which revitalized abandoned retail spaces, is situated in a former office building and is just a few steps from the Duomo Cathedral.

These seven luxury 4 stars new studio-rooms, located at Via Santa Radegonda, are designed by Arch. Simone Micheli as well as the first ones. The interior design is represented by the yellow color and the black and white pictures on the walls are portraits of the urban landscapes of this booming city.”

The Gran Meliá Rome Hotel

The Hotel says: “The Gran Meliá Rome Hotel, the masterpiece of the Gran Meliá brand, is enveloped by the legends of ancient Rome and the spectacular scenery of the historical Villa Agrippina, which once belonged to the Roman empress, mother of the Emperor Nero. Its rich history blends seamlessly with elegant interiors which masterfully balance traditional luxury with a sophisticated avant garde flair.

The hotel boasts a truly excelptional location, on the banks of the River Tiber, at the heart of the cultural and entertainment attractions of bustling Rome. Unique for its historical and cultural wealth, this luxury urban resort sets new standards for the most luxurious hotels in the Italian capital. Welcome to the Gran Meliá Rome Hotel: a historical hotel that will change the way you think about luxury urban resorts.”

Monaci delle Terre Nere,  Mount Etna, Sicily.

The Hotel says: “The air is magic and serene carrying the scent of citrus and jasmine on the breeze, from the start of the day the earth, the land, the sun create a full palate of colors as the day stretches through to dusk, to one side the sea glistening in the sun, to the other Mount Etna slumbers.

Monaci delle Terre Nere is a 40 acre estate, we have been organic for two decades. We grow our own vines, olives, fruits, herbs, vegetables, life itself. This an organic hotel. Everything we grow we present to our guests so that they too can eat, sleep and drink from the rich earth that is Monaci delle Terre Nere.”

Castello di Casole, Tuscany

The Hotel says: “If there is a single word more alluring than Italy, then it must be its own heart and soul… Tuscany. Always so much more than a place, Tuscany, Italy is first a way of life, each present moment infused with centuries of the world’s favorite art, culture, food and wine. In the rolling hills not far from the mythic cities of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano is one of the largest private landholdings in all of Italy.

Vineyards and orchards of olive trees pattern the hillsides. Two grand cypress-lined lanes ascend to an historic castle now open as a 41-suite boutique hotel. Dotting the 4,200-acre historic estate are restored Farmhouse Villas each with dramatic glass-tiled private pools. This treasured property is Castello di Casole.”

Palazzo Victoria, Verona

The Hotel says: “In a place rich with history and cultural heritage, located in the heart of one of the most elegant cities, stands the magnificent Palazzo Victoria, a stunning palace built at the beginning of the XIV° century. Palazzo Victoria is a few steps away from everything you need and you dream.

The mystic and contemplative perfume of the past meets and blends with Palazzo Victoria’s contemporary and elegant note. Not only a Palazzo but also a Museum where you can still feel the visible traces of the past. The hotel is the result of millenary heritage of arts, cultures, architectural innovations and style that perfectly match and “live together”.

The hotel is the perfect venue for guests looking for “luxury” and the “true contemplation of beauty”. Palazzo Victoria with its Lobby is now not only the place to welcome hotel’s guest but also a meeting point for local people; this is the ideal place where to live magic moments from morning till night.”

7 New Italian Hotels Make Condé Nast Traveler Hot List belongs to Italian Reflections

Photo: courtesy of Steve Lars Photography

Alessandra says: “I am an Italian food writer and lecturer. I was born and raised in Venice, and now live in New York City with my husband and children. I post recipes and offer a unique cultural view of Italian and Italian-Jewish culinary history on my website, DinnerinVenice.com. Please join me over the stovetop, or just curl up on the couch while I pour you a virtual caffe’, or a glass of sparkling Prosecco. Are you ready?”

The Questions and Answers:

1. Can you remember the first dish you learned how to cook?

The first more complex dish I learned how to cook was potato gnocchi. As a child, I was a voracious eater, and mostly interested in what we called “primi piatti asciutti”, dry first courses – that excludes soups, which are…. wet. Pasta, risotto, ravioli, and all kind of dumplings. When my mom taught me how to make gnocchi – I must have been 9 or 10 – I became obsessed. At the time, we had this lovely housekeeper who came from the country, Letizia. She couldn’t say no to me. Every time I was alone with her while my mom was at work, i would practice in the kitchen. My mom could always tell what I had been up to, because she says she saw traces of flour as soon as she walked through the front door.

2. What three things are always in your fridge?

I always have fresh rosemary, parsley, and sage. I know I should grow them myself, but I have the opposite of a green thumb. I have the killer-thumb. So I just buy them and store them in the fridge in cups of water, like flowers.

3. Best cooking advice or tip you ever received?

Become friends with your fishmonger, greengrocer and butcher. Seriously. Buy them holiday gifts. Call me corrupt.

Photo: courtesy of DinnerinVenice.com

4. What inspired you to create your food blog? Did you have a clear idea from the start?

I started it on the spur of the moment almost exactly 2 years ago… I thought it would be a fun way to combine some of my interests: writing, cooking, and the history of food. I had to cook for my kids anyway! I played with a couple of blogging platforms,  and  posted some Italian Passover recipes. I tied the blog to a Facebook fan page, and the rest is history: after 3 months I already had 1000 facebook fans.

5. What do you know and think about other food bloggers?

I love looking at other food blogs, and I try not to be jealous! here are some of my favorites: Aprons & Sneakers, Jul’s kitchen, Labna, La Cucina di QB, Memorie di Angelina, Sunday at the Giacomettis, Silvia’s Cucina, Viva la Focaccia. OPS! They are all Italian! Oh well, I am also crazy about B Comme Bon.

6.  Let’s talk favourite things, recipe and why?

I love historic recipes… not only because every recipe tells a story, but also because many of them have been written in many books but never photographed until the arrival of bloggers. My blog has a whole section about Cucina Ebraica (Jewish italian Cuisine), and many of these dishes were included in books before, but always without photographs.

Zucchini Flower and Strawberry Savory Tart
Photo: courtesy of DinnerinVenice.com

7. Ingredient?

I love, love bay leaves. They give so much depth of flavor to many types of meat and fish. You can add one or two whole leaves to your soups, stews, braises and they impart a wonderful, mild, herbal and slightly floral flavor. And you can even scatter them around your pantry and closet to repel critters…

8. Comfort food?

Although I grew up in Venice, my mother came from Pistoia, near Florence. That’s why my comfort food par excellence is Tuscan food in general, bread soups like the famous ribollita in particular. And the traditional Passover pastries from Venice, which I can’t make in New York because I can’t find the right ingredients.

9. Cookbook?

I love browsing through the pages (digitalized) of Italian and French cooking books from the Middle Ages and from the Renaissance… however, if I have to cook, I always end up asking my mom’s friends for their recipes. They are the best, and I usually obtain a free live demo

10. Last meal on earth?

I have no doubts, definitely a giant cheese platter.

Thank you Alessandra a for your time and answers.

For further details check out the Alessandra’s blog at Dinner in Venice or contact Alessandra at info@dinnerinvenice.com  or follow Dinner in Venice on facebook at: www.facebook.com/dinnerinvenice

Check out all the Top Italian food blogs and websites to follow in 2013 and more Food and Wine Interviews.

(Photos: courtesy of DinnerinVenice.com for the 2 food pictures, and Steve Lars Photography for Alessandra Rovati’s portrait)

An Interview with Alessandra Rovati belongs to Italian Reflections