Being in the right place at the right time made for an unforgettable day of wine tasting in Montalcino

One of the more interesting parts of traveling and exploring a new area is getting lost. And that’s a pretty easy for me, especially in Italy. But while this little tale starts off with dead ends at every where, turning right lead us to the most perfect day of wine tasting in Montalcino… On our [...]

Piemonte Travel Video: Champagne Sabering (with a wine glass!)

At November 15, 2012
By Valerie Quintanilla
In italy, Italy 2012, Travel Videos, wine
1

adventures-in-piemonte-saberage-champagne

On my Piemonte travel my tour guides with Travel Langhe took us to lunch in the Barolo town of Serralunga d’Alba. We were greeted at Centro Storico by the restaurant’s lively proprietor, Alessio. Armed with nothing more than a bottle of champagne and a handful of wine glasses he set to work demonstrating to us the art of champagne sabering. That’s [...]

Italian Wine Merchants Redux

Our frequent readers (thank you!) may recall a post I did last year about a trip to New York City that included a stop at Italian Wine Merchants (IWM). I was on a hunt for a New York City wine tasting and much to my disappointment, I didn’t quite get it. Well, my snarky and punchy [...]

The Intoxication of Piedmont

By Valerie Quintanilla The food, the culture, and of course the people are nearly as intoxicating as the wines of Piemonte. All have now firmly planted themselves in my heart and soul. Yes, if home is where the heart is, then mine has certainly found a new one. Travel to Piedmont, Italy is an amazing [...]

Hiking to the Barolo Village of La Morra

At September 25, 2012
By Valerie Quintanilla
In Hotel Recommendations, italy, Italy 2012, wine
0

By Valerie Quintanilla I wanted to hike in Lake Como, but Mother Nature had other plans. Luckily I had a day of hiking and wine tasting in Barolo planned with Kerrie from Australia. We started the near the bottom of La Morra at a small, colorful chapel. The day’s itinerary included a trip up to [...]

Harvest Lunch in Barbaresco

At September 13, 2012
By Valerie Quintanilla
In culinary travel, italy, Italy 2012, travel tips, wine
0

By Valerie Quintanilla Tuesday morning started low key. I had no tours planned so I thought I’d just hike it out a bit, write, read, and have a leisurely day in Neive. Returning from my morning walk I found Leslie getting ready to head to Ornella’s vineyard, Pasquale Pelissero, to help her prepare lunch for [...]

In the Vineyards of Barolo

At September 12, 2012
By Valerie Quintanilla
In culinary travel, italy, Italy 2012, wine
0

By Valerie Quintanilla Saturday morning started bright and early with a quick breakfast at my B&B (they just kept bringing food – such is the theme here!) Then, I was off with Robert for a wine tour in Barolo at Giovanni Rosso. We picked up Drew and Jamie from DC, then headed for the hills [...]

Italian Wine Travels: Ah, Piemonte….

By Valerie Quintanilla If there is a heaven and we each get our own version, mine would mirror Piemonte. Calgone, take me away. In 2009 I had a business meeting with an Italian colleague visiting Denver for a project. I told her of a pending trip to Italy and how excited I was to explore [...]

Relaxing in Lake Como

Day two of my travel to Lake Como brought more rain. Ah well, it wasn’t pouring as it had in Milano or Bellagio (or my first 18 years in Vancouver, Wash.) I still had hiking on the brain and no way was I missing it. My plan for the day: a trip for groceries [...]

A Rainy Stay in Italy’s Lake District

By Valerie Quintanilla I made it to Varenna in just over an hour from Milano by train. The sun was shining when I arrived – I’d soon learn that wasn’t to last long. But, thank goodness for the dry weather as I am sure my luggage and I would have slid into Lake Como coming [...]

Back to Italy – Take 4

I love first class. So, I knew I was in for a treat going into this trip to Italy. But, international first class is a whole different animal. The layout seat makes such a difference. I felt like I was cheating (did I really get my points worth) since I actually slept for four [...]

A Cooking Class in Puglia, Italy

At April 02, 2012
By Guest
In culinary travel, Featured, italy, wine
0

By Ylenia Sambati, Salento native and owner of YLE Tours Spring and summer are wonderful times in the south of Italy where colors and nature look perfect for a tour, a ride, a walk by the ocean and of course a cooking class at the farm. Why not take a a cooking class in Puglia, [...]

Help Me Plan My Italy Trip!

I know, I know. Why doesn’t she go somewhere else when she crosses the pond, right? What can I say? I’m obsessed with traveling to Italy. Don’t get me wrong, I heart Spain, adore France, and really wanna check out the South Pacific, but I simply cannot get enough of Italy. So, I’m heading back. [...]

Find Home in Paradise: Beautiful Salento in Puglia

At February 23, 2012
By Valerie Quintanilla
In culinary travel, Guest Blogger, italy, wine
22

In September 2011 I found my way to the heel of the boot, beautiful Lecce, Italy. The region remains a lesser known Italian tourist destination. Don’t misunderstand, the lesser known part only means a more authentic experience, incredible wines, food, and arguably the country’s best olive oil. My travel companion, Cooking Lisa, spent an amazing [...]

Cinque Terre Relief Efforts

On Tuesday, October 25 the enchanting towns of Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza in Itay’s Cinque Terre were devastated by floods. News reports say unusually heavy flooding ravaged the region of Liguria causing flooding and landslides. Reports indicate nine people have lost their lives and still others remain missing. Please note: the other Cinque Terre [...]

Travel to Piedmont: More sensory overload (in a good way)

The second day I was in Piedmont I planned a wine tour, but with Aussie transplant, Kerrie. Her story is quite lovely. She and her husband traveled to Piedmont for their honeymoon. She said they were sitting outside admiring the beauty, pondering how ever they could make it work to spend more time there.Years later [...]

The hills and wines of Piemonte

Today I start my Piemonte wine tours. I don’t think words can truly describe Piemonte (“Piedmont” to Westerners). Somehow breathtaking, beautiful, and awesome all seem quite hollow. The land showcases rolling hills, acres and acres of vineyards (150,000 acres to be exact) and gorgeous colors. I can truly say that my first one tour in [...]

Travel to San Gimignano: A few minutes to relax

We stopped about five times in a kilometer in the hills of Tuscany en route to the farmhouse just outside San Gimignano. Talk about the photo ops. Grape vines and olive trees spread out as far as the eye could see.Much to our pleasure we found the San Gimignano farmhouse, Il Vicario, without incident. Despite [...]

Tuscany Wine Adventures: On the road to San Gimignano

By Valerie QuintanillaIt was time to make our way into the hills of Tuscany. We found a little farmhouse outside of San Gimignano, Il Vicario, that features a cooking class and nightly dinners. It sounds perfect.The drive from Florence to San Gimignano is about 45 minutes. I found a winery that does lunch wine tastings, [...]

Tuscany Wine Adventures: Wine tasting in Greve in Chianti

On Saturday I boarded a packed bus to the little village of Greve in Chianti for a day of wine tasting. I had a full agenda planned: check out the Chianti Classico Wine Festival and explore Italian wines at Le Cantina. I arrived from Florence in about an hour by SITA bus for about six [...]