How many days in Calabria? People are always amazed when they come upon my tours and realize that the entire program focuses on one lesser-known region. Discerning individuals, however, are rather delighted, not concerned with mass tourism’s raised eyebrow at the idea of a third itinerary in an area used by industry behemoths as a pass-through for their big bus …
Mi ‘Ndujo Sandwich Shop, Calabrian Style
Fast food, street food, slow food, show food – it’s difficult to sum up Mi ‘Ndujo in a couple words. The sandwich shop is a Made in Calabria original. With multiple locations, it’s also referred to as a catena, but for me, a chain denotes a level of industrialization that doesn’t have anything to do with this unique eatery.
What is ‘Nduja?
Not so long ago, ‘nduja was largely unknown outside Calabria. This delectable salami was local, in the Italian sense of the word, in a world where the other side of a mountain or the other end of a region would have its own specialties. But distances have become shorter and connections faster, so that this once obscure pork product from …
Wine Tasting at a Hospitality School in Calabria
Who doesn’t like a wine tasting? A friend recently invited me to a degustazione di vini at a school in Villa San Giovanni, Calabria, and I jumped at the opportunity to sample wines from twenty different Calabrian producers. Attempting to taste even a percentage of the wines on offer that evening would be a challenge, but I was certainly more …
Tropea Onion, “Red Gold” of Calabria, Italy
Red, sweet and crispy – just a few characteristics of the Tropea onion, the famous Cipolla rossa di Tropea. What makes it so special? You might need to take a trip to Calabria to get the full sensory picture, but to whet your appetite, read on.
Stanley Tucci in Calabria
Where will Tucci go next? His Searching for Italy has managed to create a buzz with the mystery, revealed just prior to the new season. Although it’s a country with a richness that could take a lifetime to explore, I wasn’t surprised that this fall the show would kick off with Stanley Tucci in Calabria.
Traditions and Food of Calabria Tour, A New Adventure!
Eyebrows raised when I wrote my book about Calabria, then again when I organized my first tour of the region, and once more when I branched out with a second itinerary. Somehow, it’s considered more logical to write about, read about and return to a tiny, crowded beach on the Amalfi Coast or to shop for pricey designer labels in …
Pietragalla, Magical World of the “Palmenti” Wine Grottos in Basilicata
The wine grottos of Pietragalla capture the imagination. The little cave-like structures that emerge spontaneously from the earth evoke another world, perhaps that of an ancient people or even of hobbits. They are called palmenti, and you will find this atmospheric complex in South Italy, specifically in northern Basilicata, just twenty kilometers from Potenza, the region’s capital.
My Fall Cultural Tour, A Few Highlights of Calabria
How did my recent Calabria Cultural tour go? Many have asked this question as sometimes I forget to mention the obvious. I put so much work into the preparation and execution of a project, then move on to the next without fanfare. So I apologize if I’ve left you wondering, and I’m proud to say that the fall tour was …
Amaro, Those Alluring Bitters, A Few Classics from Calabria and Basilicata
At the end of a copious Italian meal, you will invariably be offered something to drink, a digestivo, such as a liquore, possibly an amaro, or a brandy, perhaps a grappa… These beverages with a rather high alcoholic content aid in digestion, thus the name, digestif. Most have a strong connection with their place of origin, such as the Vecchio …