Fontana di Trevi, better known to most of us as Trevi Fountain, is  Rome’s most spectacular and popular fountain.  In a city with so many impressive fountains, that’s a pretty big claim.

The Baroque-style  fountain, designed by architect Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, is located in a busy section of the city, not far from the popular Via del Corso.  To get to the fountain you walk down narrow streets, some of which seem more like alleys than streets, to the historic center of Rome.  There’s signage to help you find the way, and asking for directions will help get you pointed in the right direction, but if you find the noise gets louder and louder it means you’re getting close.

When I first stepped into the Piazza di Trevi, its intricate sculptures, cascading water, and faded stones wowed me.  Against the backdrop of the fountain is a large sculpture of Oceanus in the center, along with chariot in the shape of a shell drawn by seahorses.  Additional sculptures flank each side of Oceanus, resting in the niches.  In the water are additional sculptures representing sea creatures, both real and mythological.  At about 85 feet high and 65 feet wide, Trevi Fountain is a tribute to the power and lushness of the sea, both in its design and in the roaring water spilling over the rocks.

I spent some time at Trevi Fountain during the afternoon as well as in the evening.  It was always abuzz with people, albeit primarily tourists, and the constant clicking of cameras could be a bit distracting.  But still, there was a certain energy about it as visitors posed, as did I, throwing a coin into the fountain.

There are a couple of variations on the coin throwing story, all rooted in tradition with varying interpretation.  The most popular interpretation is that throwing a coin over your shoulder into the water of the fountain will ensure a return visit to Rome.  A current version of this tradition is throwing three coins with the right hand over the left shoulder.  This tradition of three coins probably comes from the movie Three Coins in the Fountain.  (In the movie, however, it was three different women each throwing one coin into the fountain.) Still another version of the tradition is that throwing two coins will ensure a marriage coming soon, and three coins means a divorce.

I opted for one coin, throwing it into the fountain with my right hand over my left shoulder – why tempt fate, after all.  It’s seems to have worked as I’ve been back several times since that first visit.

• In Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), three American roommates working in Italy wish for the man of their dreams after throwing coins into Trevi Fountain.
• In La Dolce Vita (1961), you see Anita Ekberg jumping into the fountain (fully clothed), inviting Marcello Mastroianni to join her.
• In the Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), Hillary Duff graduates from middle school and vacations in Italy.

Despite the crowds, the noise, and the tendency to dismiss visiting Trevi Fountain as too touristy, I loved its glow in the evening.  It was most special during that golden hour, when day turns to night in a wash of color, and the lights on the fountain start coming on.  It was beautiful and romantic, and I didn’t care if there were hundreds of other people around thinking that very same thing.

Location: Piazza di Trevi.  The narrow streets, few of which are straight or set up on a grid, can be confusing.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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While riding in a gondola in Venice is one of the most common ways to see the city, it is also one of the most expensive.  A ride on the traghetto, a sort of foot ferry on a gondola, is usually crowded and quick, leaving little time to see the city from the water.  A ride on the vaporetto (water taxi) can be so crowded that you may not even be able to see the water from your standing spot.

Although I think a trip to Venice should include all three of the above, on a hot summer day I’d suggest taking to the water on a motor boat.

A motor boat will take you nearly everywhere that a gondola will.  The faster pace may be a little less romantic, but the trade off is a little breeze on your face and a chance to see a little bit more of the city during your rental time.

Photo credit:  from the author’s collection

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Can there be a more iconic experience of Venice than a ride in a gondola?  For centuries this flat-bottomed boat was the primary means of transportation and moving goods within the city Venice, but today they are primarily used for sightseeing by visitors, weddings and funerals, and the occasional regatta.   So yes, riding on a gondola is a touristy thing to do – but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss it out of hand.  This quintessential experience can be relaxing, fun, and romantic.  It will let you see the city from the water, and for a few minutes, let you imagine what the city was like in an earlier era.

The cheapest way to ride a gondola is also the quickest.  For about a dollar (depending on exchange rates) you can take a traghetto, a sort of foot ferry shuttling people across the Grand Canal in areas where there are no bridges.  The traghettos cross from seven different locations and hours of operation vary.  Most of the traghettos cross between 6 am and 2 pm, but there are a couple than run as late as 8 pm.  Locals will know the schedules, but if you’re relying on this as your primary transportation choice, be sure to line up those times and crossings. The crossing will generally take a minute or two.  When you see a traghetto you may notice people standing, these are most likely locals; standing is not typically a choice for visitors.

For most visitors, though, a gondola ride is longer, slower, perhaps more romantic ride.

Gondolas for hire can be found anywhere there’s water – along the walkways, by the bridges, outside of hotels and cafes.  They are fairly similar to one another, with only a few variations when it comes to the interiors.  Some are very austere with only a few plastic flowers.  Others have more elaborate flowers and decorations, with velvet seats and beautiful rugs.  A gondola will hold up to six passengers, and is rented out a flat charge.  The pricing was fairly consistent – about 80 Euros (approximately $115, depending on exchange rates) for about a 45 minute day time ride.  If you want to reduce your cost, look for some like-minded visitors to share with.  If you want to chat with your gondolier, or have a bit of narration with your ride, you may need to talk with a few to find one who speaks English.  Although prices are fairly consistent, if it’s a slow day (not often) you prices may be soft.  Also, if you opt for some of the smaller waterways you may be able to negotiate a bit, although there will also be fewer gondolas available.

The romantic version of a gondola ride is at sunset or beneath the stars.  Legend has it that if lovers kiss while on a gondala ride that passes beneath the Bridge of Sighs at sunset they will be granted everlasting love and bliss.  With a legend like that it’s no surprise that this is a popular gondola ride, despite the bridge and surrounding area being under construction and repair and presenting an uninspiring view..  Even if you don’t opt for the Bridge of Sighs, a starry, moonlit night can fuel the romantic inside of all of us.  A gondola ride in the evening will cost you a little more as well.  The boat price goes up to about 100 Euros (approximately $145), and you most likely aren’t going to want to share this romantic moment with strangers.  There are only two seats in the gondola where you can sit side-by-side, with the others in a single file sort of spacing, so romance is a little tougher if you’re sharing the boat.

And if you think having that musician or singer on board is part of the experience?  It’s going to cost you another 100-150 Euros to hire one.

I visited Venice on a day trip, so opted for a motorboat ride instead of a gondola ride.  If I was staying in the city, I’d definitely want an evening ride – and I really don’t care if anyone thinks it’s touristy.  It just my little slice of heaven beneath the moon and the stars.

Photos:  All from the author’s personal collection

Every month the Travel Blog Mob comes together around a common theme. This month our theme is Summer Vacation Photos.  Take a look at what some of the other have to share in these travel photo posts:

• The Vacation Gals:  Summer Vacation in Rome – The Roman Coliseum
• Wandering Educators: Top 10 Beach Towns on Michigan’s Sunset Coast
• Boots n All: Our Best Days Ever
• Spot Cool Stuff:  3 Cool Ways to Share Your Photos While You Travel
• Ciao Bambino:  Need to Know Facts About Cinque Terra and the Italian Riviera for Families
• Wanderlust and Lipstick:  Summer (Seattle) Lovin’

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I’m back home from my shortened travels to Europe, with a few shopping souvenirs, lots of photos, fun experiences to talk about and write about for the coming year, and enthusiasm to get started planning next year’s trip.

It might seem like visiting the same place every year could get boring, but in Italy that’s never the case.  Our base of operations at La Montalla in Contignano (Tuscany) is a perfect spot to combine days of relaxation and days of exploration, both of which I need during extended travel.

Here’s what was new this year:

Portugal – Although original plans called for us to be here a week prior to heading to Italy, our rescheduled plans cut that way back.  We stayed at a lovely flat in Estoril, just a few minute walk from the beach, and enjoyed time walking the boardwalk between Estoril and Cascais.  Lisbon was just a quick train ride away, and we managed a quick city tour and some extended time in the Belem area.  That was about all we could do in a day and a half, especially consider that half day was after an all night flight, but it was enough to convince us that Portugal is somewhere we’ll be visiting again.  So much left unseen.  This was a first trip to Portugal which means I get to add another country to my list for the Century Club.

Bologna – This was a half way point on the trip from Portugal to Tuscany, and it was a fun couple of days in a university city.  Bologna is well situated for day trips around the area and offers some historical sites itself.  Il Nespolo, the apartment where we stayed, was in a neighborhood just outside the city giving us the advantage of enjoying local spots as well as being a short walk from the historic center (or a quick bus ride, if preferred).

Venice – We took the train from Bologna into the city, a little over an hour on the express, and it was a great day trip at much less the cost of lodging in the city.  I’ve heard all the complaints about Venice – it’s crowded (yes, and the swarms of visitors dragging their luggage through the streets made me tired just to watch) and smelly (that was not my experience at all), but I thought it was a magical place.  We wandered the alleyways, marveled at San Marcos Square, and took a boat ride on the Grand Canal.  Because it was a day trip, we weren’t able to experience the city at sunset (for a gondola ride under the Bridge of Sighs) or night, but have that on the list for another visit.

Cortona – This way the location setting for the movie and book Under the Tuscan Sun, along with the sequels Bella Tuscany, and Everyday in Tuscany, the area is as rife with sunflowers as was seen in the movie.  We walked through the town, climbing ever upwards, stopping for lunch when we got caught in a downpour.  The music from the Basilica of Santa Margherita drew us in for a look, and we continued climbing on up to the Fort for some gorgeous views of those sunflowers surround the area.  Walking through the narrow streets the smell of leather drew us into a few stores for some gift purchases.

Pitigliano – The medieval hill town rises out of seemingly nowhere and is perched on a volcanic ridge.  We spent an afternoon in Pitigliano wandering the streets, having gelato, and looking around.  The main attraction in the town is the Palazzo Orsini, the 16th century residence of the prominent Orsini family.  Other interesting sights include the remains of a 14th century aqueduct (in the middle of the town) and and 18th century cathedral.

San Gimigniano – This walled city is probably best known for its many towers, originally built as the residents of the town warred with one another and felt the need to protect themselves.  In addition to the towers, there are also some impressive churches.  Like many of the hill towns, life resonates around the piazza, and that’s where we spent much of our time.  Of course, there was gelato nearby so that made it even more tempting.  I’ve heard some complaints about how crowded the town has become, but that wasn’t my experience.  San Gimigniano was featured in the movie Tea with Mussolini and the book The Broker.

Siena – This is a large city, spread out over quite an area, but the real focus is on the historical center. Even that is fairly large compared to all the other hill towns in the area.  The Piazza del Campo is huge, and worth a stroll around.  The bars and cafes around the Piazza lean toward the expensive side, but if you consider it part entertainment expense, it’s worth it for the people watching.  This is also where the Palio is held, a summer horse race (on two dates) that is full of history and pageantry.  Next year we are planning to attend the Palio.  Also worth a look is the Duomo, originally designed to be the largest cathedral in the world, and its museum.

Bagni San Filippo – Wanting a low key type of day before packing and heading home, on our day-before-departure we spent an afternoon at the spa. This isn’t a spa in the sense that most of us might think, rather, it’s a natural spring tucked away in the Val d’Orcia near Mount Amiata.  You walk down a path to get to various pools that are filled with warm thermal waters full of minerals.  There’s a slight sulphur aroma, but it’s not overpowering and you quickly get used to it.  The springs are set to nourish and rejuvenate the body and soul, and I’d have to agree.  We tried out a few different pools, continuing to walk farther down the pathway, and stood under warm waterfalls along the way.  My favorite pool was the one with mud full of minerals.  Reach into the water, pull some up, and rub it all over your body.  After it dries, go stand under the waterfall to rinse off. We’ll be back to this little slice of heaven!

Combined with return visits to some of our favorites spots, we managed to see and do a lot in our 2 1/2 weeks.  And to those who wonder why we go back to the same spot every year – it’s because there is so much to do and see, and we still haven’t seen it all.

Photos:  personal collection

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July 4th, 2011.  In the United States it was a holiday celebrating the 235th anniversary of the country’s independence.

Back home friends had get-togethers with family and friends.  There were steaks, chicken, and burgers on the grill.  There was time for a game of baseball, badminton, or maybe a little time to be out on the water.  There was probably ice cream, watermelon, beer, and plenty of good natured fun.  When it was finally dark, the fireworks came out – whether they were the safe and sane sparklers, the bigger fire power purchased on the reservation, or the even bigger powered community displays.  The weather looked like it was fairly nice (and that’s a real blessing in Seattle right now) and I’m guessing it was a pretty good day all around.

But here in Italy, July 4th, 2011 was simply a Monday, a little cooler, a little cloudier, but just a Monday.

We slept in a little bit, spent some time by the pool, and then headed off to see the town of Pitigliano.

Pitigliano seemed like it was out in the middle of nowhere – but then you round a bend in the road and you see the town seemingly growing out of a rock formation.  It’s both on top of the rocks and growing out of the rocks, and is one of the most dramatic sights I’ve seen here in Italy (and there have been some pretty dramatic ones).

Pitigliano is basically a volcanic ridge that is located at the meeting point of two rivers.  The caves carved into the landscape their date back to Etruscan times, and if you peer into the canyon you can see the waterfalls caused by the rivers.  It’s much like other medieval towns in that there are a hodgepodge of cobbled streets and narrow alleyways spurring off in all different directions in a haphazard way.  Follow one or another and you’ll see much the same thing – stone buildings, flowers growing everywhere there’s a free spot, and people going about daily life.

The main attraction in the town is the Palazzo Orsini, the 16th century residence of the prominent Orsini family.  Other interesting sights include the remains of a 14th century aqueduct (in the middle of the town) and and 18th century cathedral.  Personally, I suggest wandering through the town and stopping for gelato when you need a break, maybe even stopping more than once.

When we got back to the farmhouse where we are staying there was a large group of Italian travelers finishing up their evening meal.  As is so typical here, we were invited to join them.  Wine was being poured (along with grappa), and conversation was lively even though we knew very little of one another’s language.  Oh, and they passed around watermelon, too.  I guess it wasn’t all that different from back at home.

The Euro to Dollar valuation makes travel to Europe less of a buy that is was last year, but it is still VERY doable.  Look for cheap deals on holidays abroad to find something that fits your budget and then make the most of every single day you’re there.

We’re coming into the home stretch of our holiday – just another couple of days – and I’m already making a list of things that I want to check out on the next trip.

Photo credit:  from the author’s personal collection

NOTE:  This post is sponsored by Direct Holidays; the experiences and opinions are solely those of the author.

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May 1, 2011 celebrates the beatification of Pope John Paul II, the ceremony by which he will becomes a Saint.  The Holy Mass for the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II will be held in Saint Peter’s Square at 10 a.m., with Pope Benedict XVI officiating.  The casket has already been exhumed and is now lying before Saint Peter’s tomb.  It will be moved to the main alter during the ceremony, and following will be reinterred in the Chapel of St. Sebastian.  While only a select delegation will be allowed inside for the ceremony, hundreds of thousand of visitors of all religious backgrounds will gather in Saint Peter’s Square to watch and listen as Pope John Paul II becomes a saint.  As is typical for many events, large television will show the events inside to the outside crowd.

While this will not be a routine day at the Vatican, these photos are from my visit there at a more peaceful and routine type of day.

St. Peter’s Square is in front of the Basilica, the dome of which is a familiar part of the skyline.  The Vatican is located within the city/state of Vatican City, a distinct and separate entity, which is entirely surrounded by Rome.

Another part of the Vatican complex are the Vatican Museums.  The museums contain an impressive collection of art and artifacts owned by the Catholic Church that span over 500 years.  The collection includes sculpture, paintings, drawings, tapestries, and lots more, from some of the most famous Italian artists.

As you’re walking through the Vatican museums, you’ll look down halls, around corners, at the walls and overhead as you try to take in the extensive beauty around you.  Photography is allowed in most places, with the exception of the Sistine Chapel.

Even the staircase, a spiral double-helix, is a work of art with its graceful shape, gold adornment and filigree.

Photos:  all from the author’s personal collection

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Today is travel planning day!  Summer travel looms, and for the first time in many summers we have no plans firmed up.  Air fare has been outrageously expensive, and although I have been tracking it since last fall, there has been no meaningful movement on it up and down.  I expected fares to be high for peak summer travel, but these price points are shocking even me!  But we can’t put it off any longer, and so today is travel planning for our Portugal and Italy holidays.

First up, buying airline tickets.  They’re nearly as much as a mortgage payment, but it’s time to bite the bullet and lock things in.  They’re not going to get any cheaper.

Our first stop on our summer travels is Lisbon, Portugal.  We’ll be there for a week,  for a week.  We’ll be looking for a place to stay, hopefully near the beach, and looking at areas where we want to explore.  It’s a first visit for all three of us.

Next it’s off to Italy for two more weeks.  We’ll spend the bulk of the time in a small town in Tuscany where, I swear, there are more people than sheep.  But we do have three or four unaccounted days to check out another area of the country.  The discussion about where to explore will happen today over lunch.  Keeping in mind that we’d like to explore a new area, we like having a home base and doing day trips from there, and that we’ll be en route from Lisbon to Tuscany, staying north of Rome probably makes the most sense.

Current ideas include:

• Cinque Terra – Not exactly a new spot, but it’s lovely and there are always a few new spots to explore.  There will be lots of people visiting during the summer, but that will balance out with the quiet of the Tuscan countryside.
• Bologna – This busy, industrialized university town also offers a lot of culture (in 2000 it was Europe’s capital of culture).  Interesting history, architecture, and music.  And let’s not forget the food – this is home to the bolognese sauce – and the wine.
• Venice – I’ve never been there, and a few days might be a great way to get a little taste of it.  I want to take a gondola ride.  At sunset.  And I don’t care if anyone thinks it’s touristy.
• Milan – Another big city that we’ve never spent much time in.  I could avoid the temptation of shopping and focus instead on art, architecture, and historical sites.  But do we really want to be in a busy city?
• Pisa – Sure, the tower may be the only game in town, but it’s an easy location for day trips to Lucca and Livorno.
• Genoa – Being near the water might be nice, and we could have a few Shakespeare moments, but we’re not sure what else this city and area have to offer.  But, none of us have been there. . . yet.
• Florence – We all love Florence – the art, architecture, history, just the feel of the city makes us a little giddy.  We usually do Florence as a day trip, but maybe this is the year to stay in the city and enjoy a little of the nightlife as well.  That’s a photo of the top of the Duomo above.
• Rome – Usually the hub for our arrival and/departure into the country, Rome offers so much to see and do that we’ve yet to even scratch the surface of the city.  It’s busy, noisy, crowded, and in summer will be stifling in the heat.  But it’s Rome.  The eternal city.  And there’s always something new to discover.

Is there anywhere else that should be on our consideration list?  What would be your favorite area of Italy to getaway for a few days?

Photo credit:  personal collection

NOTE:  This post is sponsored by Page & Moy; the travel planning and opinions expressed are those of the author.

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Do you remember the first time you fell in love?  Was it love at first sight, or was it the kind of love that grows over time?  Did you go through the ups and downs that all relationships seem to experience, or has it been nothing but smooth sailing?  Do you still see the goodness behind the facade, or has your love faded over the years?  When you see your love, whether it’s every single day or with extended absences, does it still make you smile, perhaps your heart skips a beat?  And when you finally must part, do you start planning and counting the days until you are reunited once again?

That’s how I feel about Italy.

I forged a relationship with Italy rather late in life.  I first knew her through family and friends who teased me with talk about her excitement, diversity, and simmering sensuality.  I tried to dismiss her lure and be strong.  I dabbled with other pseudo-loves, trying to find meaning in my relationships with Manhattan and Cartagena.  With Miami Beach and San Francisco.  While thrilling for awhile, these relationships eventually ended, not out of any sense of betrayal, but because the love waned, leaving a big hole in my heart.   Even Paris, with all her chic in-your-face sexiness, could only fill the void temporarily before she, too, was relegated to the status of a fond former love,

And then I met Italy.

I had to travel far to meet her.  An early morning flight across the country followed by an overnight flight to Rome.  With bleary eyes, and barely awake, through a haze of sleepiness, I dallied with the Eternal City.  I fell in love the very first moment that I came up from the metro station and saw the Coliseum in front of me.  I knew immediately that Rome and I were destined to go the distance in our relationship.

But it was not to be.

I couldn’t commit to Rome.  I was unwilling to be exclusive, and so allowed myself to be seduced by Capri and the Amalfi Coast, by the beauty of Lake Maggiore and Montepulciano, and by the hill towns of Umbria.  There were so many flings, and it’s embarrassing to admit that my head was turned by the murmured sweet nothings of cities and towns across Italy.  I was captivated by the vibrant wisteria of Sorrento, I was enchanted with the playfulness of the sunflowers in Tuscany, and I was swept up by the  passion of Sicily.  My love overflowed with every sip of Brunello, every scoop of gelato, every mouthful of pasta.

I fell hard.  I was, at last, in love.  And I was ready to commit.

But loving Italy is not always easy.  She’s self absorbed, requiring you to adjust to her pace rather than she to yours.  You’ll have to turn a blind eye to her grittiness, and it is there, and focus on her gentle and nurturing soul.   You must learn to embrace her quirkiness, her inconsistency, her fickleness, and even her seeming disinterest.   You must be prepared to stand by her through the tough times, knowing that she will eventually return to her true self.

There are many reasons to love Italy, and if you are willing to commit to a lifelong relationship, you’ll find that she just might love you back.  Loving Italy may not always be easy, but it’s always exciting.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my love, I’m counting the days till we are together once again.

This post is part of the monthly theme project from the Travel Blog Mob, a group of independent travel bloggers who write around a selected topic that will entertain our readers.  February’s topic:  Creative Romance.

Here’s what the rest of the mob has to say:

• Wandering Educators:  Ten Tips for Creative Romance During Family Travel
• The Vacation Gals: Romantic Getaway Vacation in Napa Valley
• Ciao Bambino: Kid-Friendly Romantic Getaways
• BootsnAll: Romantic Travel Ideas That Won’t Leave Your Budget Heartbroken

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It’s time to start thinking about Italy again.  Although that presumes that I’ve ever stopped thinking about it.  With the new year fully underway, we’re beginning to sort through details, watch airfares, and think about how we want to spend our time there this year.

It will be a shorter trip this year, probably only three weeks as compared with nearly a month last year.  At least one of those weeks will be spent at our favorite spot in Tuscany, La Montalla.  It’s currently covered with snow, but in the summer it is beautiful with the blooms, olive trees, and grapevines.  I can nearly taste the pici pasta and pecorino cheese and I think about it. I love Italy for a variety of reasons, and the planning part brings it all back.

Up for grabs is the remaining two weeks.  Should there be another week at La Montalla, allowing for even more relaxation time amidst all the enjoyment of the countryside?  After all, there is still so much that we haven’t seen.  Should we spend those two undecided weeks in another location?  Or perhaps a week in each of two locations?  I have a long travel bucket list, so there are plenty of places to choose from – but I have to consider what would be both practical and affordable.

Travel will start around the middle of June.  The dates put us at the beginning of high season, but since one of our travelers is a teacher there is no way to move it up.

Do you have ideas for me to consider?  Place to go and things to see?  Please make your suggestions is the comments!

Photo credit: Everyday Foto

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When I think about Italy, which I often do, it’s not the attractions or the countryside that capture my attention.  Oh sure, it’s beautiful and there are lots of incredible sights to see, but what really speaks to me is the food.  In my opinion, what makes Italy so fascinating and appealing is its food, wine, and people.

As I start planning my trip for this year, I’ve gotten together with friends to talk about what we want to see and do.  In no time at all the conversation quickly turns to our favorites restaurants.  The fabulous osso buco, the freshest tomatoes for the delicious bruschetta, the hand-rolled pici pasta, and the soft and creamy burrata.  In fact, I’m already salivating for the delicious mushroom soup at Latte di Luna.  Every time we get started talking about the delicious dishes, someone pipes us with the comment, “How come we can get anything as good as this at home?”

When I was offered a copy of Beyond the Pasta (by Mark Leslie) to review, with its subtitle Recipes, Language and Life with an Italian Family, you knew I was going to shout YES!  Maybe I could find out how to have a little piece of Italy at home.

Here’s the basic concept:  Guy goes to Italy and falls in love with the place.  He enrolls in enrolls in a full-immersion cooking and language program, learning to cook from Nonna (the grandmother) and the language from her daughter.  He goes back to Italy every year.

Except for the part about the cooking and language program, it’s an all too familiar story as visitors fall in love with the Italy.  But the difference that experience provides is what turns this combination cookbook -  travel book – food memoir into an enjoyable read that had me nodding my head and chuckling all too often.  If your visits to Italy have you dining in the finest restaurants and having wine at your upscale hotel, you may not understand or relate.  But if you’ve lingered in a small family owned cafe, stayed late to sip wine or grappa with the owner and his family, or peeked your head into the kitchen and watched that cafe’s very own Nonna making pasta, then this will be a book that you’ll enjoy.

I’m not going to detail all of Mark’s day-to-day adventures.  If you experienced any small bit of traditional Italian family life, you already have a preview of what to expect.  Discovering the tidbits of daily life in Italy is part of the fun in reading the book, and Mark tells the stories with great humor.  There’s plenty of Italian, too, so you’ll be able to brush up on your language skills as well.

The stories are charming and funny, but c’mon, I wanted to read the book for more than that – let’s get down to the food!

There is plenty of discussion about food, along with over 25 recipes.  There are some of my favorites that I lust for every visit (bruschetta in various forms), some dishes that I’ve only recently discovered (Sicilian Rice Balls), and some that I’m anxious to try (Grappa Cookies).  I’m going to spend some of the cold winter weather doing a little cooking – maybe I can get that good of food right here at home.

Two big thumbs up for this book!

Beyond the Pasta was written by Mark Leslie who also has a blog of the same name. It is available from Amazon for $32.95 or it can be purchased through Mark’s website.  It is not currently available for Kindle (although I LOVE my Kindle, this is a book I’d want as a hard copy).

Who will like this book:  Italiophiles, foodies, cooks, travelers, and anyone who likes a good family story.

This book review was part of the Italy in Books Reading Challenge.  Why not join us?

Photo credit:  Courtesy of the author

NOTE:  I was provided a complimentary copy of the book for purposes of this review.  The opinions expressed herein are solely my own.

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