This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. Palermo, the capital of Sicily, is one of the oldest and most complex cities in Italy. Sitting on the northwest coast of Italy’s largest island, it has a history dating back to the 8th century BC. Unfortunately, for many it has become infamous in the past century …
Five Foods to Eat in Palermo
This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. Food is more than just a way to survive in Sicily, it’s more like a religion. Almost every conversation, no matter if it is politics or religion, eventually turns to the subject of food. Sicilians can debate at great length which recipe makes the best pasta sauce …
Who To Meet Along the Chianti Wine Road
This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. Steeped in true Tuscan culture and history, the Chianti wine road is nestled within the rustic and beautiful countryside between Florence and Siena and the only place where Chianti and Chianti Classico wines are produced. Along with some of the most incredible wines, you’ll discover local farmers and …
Surprising Bagno a Ripoli
This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. “Slowed to a speed for observing, Jacoby’s first hard look at Italy excited him so profoundly his teeth began to chatter. It seemed surreal — so casually spectacular.” – Cucina Tipica: An Italian Adventure by Andrew Cotto (that’s me!!) This is the reaction the protagonist in my latest …
What’s Old is New Again in Chianti
This article originally appeared in the February 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. Editor’s note: The first time I ever visited Chianti was with Judy Witts Francini in 2004 and I felt so lucky to first experience this magical patch of land with a true insider. Judy is a native Californian who has been living in Italy since 1984. In her …
Sweet 16 Places to Eat
This article originally appeared in the December 2018/January 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. See the full Dream of Italy’s: 16th Anniversary Favorites article here. Santo Palato (Rome) Our new favorite Roman restaurant in the San Giovanni neighborhood has a bright young chef, Sarah Cicolini, whose rigatoni alla pajata, rigatoni with calves’ intestines in a tomato sauce, is sensational. Depending on what is available fresh on any …
Sweet 16 Places to Stay
This article originally appeared in the December 2018/January 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. See the full Dream of Italy’s: 16th Anniversary Favorites article here. Albergo Diffuso Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo) There are few places more beautiful in Italy than Abruzzo’s Gran Sasso National Park. Albergo Diffuso Santo Stefano di Sessanio is located almost entirely within the park and was one of the first of these …
Sweet 16 Experiences in Italy
This article originally appeared in the December 2018/January 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. See the full Dream of Italy’s: 16th Anniversary Favorites article here. Truffle Hunting (Piedmont) One of the world’s most sought-after delicacies is the divine and expensive white truffle and most would agree the very best come from a corner of Piedmont. One of our favorite Italian experiences is …
Dream of Italy’s 16th Anniversary Favorites
This article originally appeared in the December 2018/January 2019 issue of Dream of Italy. Join to access the entire issue and 160 others! It is hard to believe that 16 years have flown by since I founded Dream of Italy. Our little publication has covered the boot from top to bottom with more than a thousand pages on every corner of our favorite …
Cooking at Rome’s Latteria Studio (November 2018)
This article originally appeared in the November 2018 issue of Dream of Italy. Find the main article here. Updated 2020. NOTE: Latteria Studio closed its doors on Via di Ponziano in July 2020, and is currently seraching for a new space with the potential to be everything that the original space was, and more. The best part about exploring Roman cuisine is it is intensely …