This article originally appeared in the June/July 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Donna Leon’s Inspector Brunetti novels need little introduction. These mysteries set in Venice have captivated readers since the first, Death at La Fenice, was released in 1992. Leon, born and bred in New Jersey, took her newly minted PhD in English abroad in the late 1960s, settling …
Visiting Commissario Brunetti’s Favorite Places in Venice (From Donna Leon’s Mystery Novels)
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Find the main article here. Updated 2018. Faithful Donna Leon readers and devoted Commissario Brunetti fans will recognize many of these places in Venice from her novels. Restaurants Antico Martini Campo Teatro Fenice 2007, 30124 (39) 0415224121 www.anticomartini.com In the 1700s, the posh Ristorante Antico Martini was a posh …
Walking Tours of Commissario Brunetti’s Venice (From Donna Leon’s Mystery Novels)
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Find the main article here. Updated 2018. Donna Leon and her friend Toni Sepeda share a love of Venice—but they also share a love of literature, which is what brought them together more than 30 years ago when the two women taught in The University of Maryland European Division …
Casato Prime Donne: A Full Sensory Experience
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. When you visit the Casato Prime Donne winery, you are greeted by Antonella, an engaging woman with sparkling brown eyes and a magical way of telling you about the history of both the winery and the village of Montalcino. She guides you through various parts of …
Rambling Through Roman Palazzi
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. All roads lead to Rome. And if you’re a tourist, most of those roads take you to the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s. Those iconic spots are, of course, where the first-time visitor should go. But if you’ve checked those off your bucket …
Unique Experiences for Kids in Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Puglia: Trulli of Alberobello Your kids – and you – have never seen anything like the UNESCO World Heritage Site Alberobello – a whole town filled with stone huts sporting conical roofs — trulli. The town looks something like out of a fantasy movie. Want to give your kids an …
Unique Experiences for Kids in the Amalfi Coast, Campania, Calabria and Basilicata
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Amalfi Coast: Mozzarella Making (39) 328 4862731 www.caseificioravello.it Price: 60€ (adults and kids older than eight), 30€ (children under eight) Everyone in Italy knows that the best mozzarella comes from the Campania region. Your family can learn how to make mozzarella from a master cheese maker (lessons in English), Biagio, in the Amalfi …
Unique Experiences for Kids in Tuscany and Umbria
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Tuscany: Brunello Wine Tasting Casato Prime Donne Winery, Montalcino (39) 0577 849421 www.cinellicolombini.it Price: Starts at 18€ per person Tasting one of the world’s most famous and refined wines with kids in tow? This might not seem like a good idea, but at one of the most prestigious wineries in the Brunello …
Unique Experiences for Kids in Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Emilia-Romagna: Gelato Making and Museum (39) 051 6505306 www.gelatomuseum.com Price: From 7€ to tour the museum to 25€ for a “gelatology” class Your children will sample a lot of delicious gelato in Italy — why not have them try their hands at making it, too? The Gelato Museum Carpigiani in …
Unique Experiences for Kids in Cinque Terre, Dolomites and the Lakes
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Cinque Terre: Ferry Hop (39) 0187 732987 www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it Price: 35€ (adults), 18€ (kids ages 6 to 11) Not only will your kids love the idea of a ferry, but it’s also the best way for them to understand the geography of the historic “five towns” and for you to take in …