Planning a wine tour in Italy? What the experts have to say…
Planning a wine tasting trip isn’t as easy as it may sound, especially if you’re planning one in a wine region you are unfamiliar with. I have learned this the hard way… When it comes to Napa Valley and...
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The Intoxication of Piedmont
By Valerie Quintanilla The food, the culture, and of course the people are nearly as intoxicating as the wines of Piedmont Italy. All have now firmly planted themselves in my heart and soul. Yes, if home is where the...
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Piedmont Wine Tours: Harvest Lunch in Barbaresco
By Valerie Quintanilla Tuesday morning started low key. I had no Piedmont wine 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...
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A Rainy Stay in Italy’s Lake District: Things to do in Lake Como
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...
Read moreTravel 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...
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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