** NEW: Pasticceria Penso — The Best Bakery in Trieste Italy (Free Italy Travel Advice) **

True to Trieste’s multiethnic roots, Pasticceria Penso specializes in the pastries from Austria and Hungary, such as the ever-popular Sacher and Dobos cakes, as well as the ubiquitous local desserts presnitz, putizza and pinza. In all, they make around thirty-five different types of pastries, cakes, and cookies, which are purchased by locals for both special anniversary celebrations and as a Sunday post-church ritual.

Have You Tasted a Chino While in Italy?

I always feel bad when I order a Diet Coke (or “Coca Light”) when I’m in Italy. First, it clearly gives me away as an American. (Some Italians call Coke or Diet Coke – “American champagne.”) Second, it usually costs more than a glass of wonderful house wine. But sometimes on a hot day, you just crave a Coke, you …

Where’s Salvatore? He’s Still Cooking in Umbria

In my book, there’s now one less reason to visit the town of Foligno in Umbria – but Foligno’s loss is Spello’s gain. In Dream of Italy’s Special Report: Umbria, editor Kathy McCabe wrote about the one-of-a-kind chef Salvatore Denaro and his popular trattoria in Foligno. Salvatore has now closed his quirky and wonderful restaurant Il Bacco Felice and is …