Cheers to the wide world of wine snacks
The bright yellows and pinks that flooded the view had dulled and grown dark as the sun kissed the Mediterranean Sea goodnight. It was our first night in Menton, having had a late lunch we forced our jet-lagged bodies...
Read moreA Cooking Class in Puglia, Italy
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...
Read moreFind Home in Paradise: Beautiful Salento in Puglia
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,...
Read moreItalian Cooking Class in Denver: Playing Italy in Denver
My recent Italian travel companion, Lisa from Canada, introduced me to a whole new Italy — one that starts and ends with cooking. Don’t misunderstand, I heart Italian food, but I always thought it was too difficult for little...
Read moreThe 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...
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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...
Read moreTuscany 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...
Read moreA night in Florence
On Friday we had a spectacular night in Florence… We had dinner at Lisa’s favorite restaurant in Florence, L’Brincello. She not only goes every time she’s in the city, but also every night! We sit down and it’s like...
Read moreSorrento: Villa Adriana Guesthouse
Our plan for Sorrento included a day trip to Positano, but we didn’t make it. We arrived in Sorrento around 2 p.m. and had a 6 p.m. cooking class. The bus ride to Positano is an hour each way,...
Read moreTraveling to Lecce: wine, burrata and siesta
The things I’ll remember most about traveling to Lecce include the local wine, burrata (an amazing cheese) and siesta.I’ve been to a number of places in Italy and have long heard about the fabled practice of siesta. Problem is,...
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