The Road to Gelato – Via di San Simone

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Food, Travel | 0 comments

Gelato is just the italian word for ice cream right?  Not quite!  While they have many similarities they are different, gelato doesn’t taste better because you are travelling and have the Italian sun on your face.  Unlike ice cream gelato is not served completely frozen which means a heightened taste experience for you taste buds.  Gelato also has a lower percentage of fat content, and is churned at a slower speed which means less air and more density, all of this is behind the reason that gelato is richer and more flavourful than ice cream.

After spending a week in Italy some properly hot weather finally arrived while I was in Rome.  Lucky for me when in Umbria I met Elyse.  She’s a food and travel blogger for Foodie International and she gave me the name and location of one of the best Gelatories in Rome as well as strict instructions to try the lemon pie flavour.  Being that she knows her stuff I listened, and I’m glad I did.

After visiting Vatican City under a scorching hot midday sun and finding ourselves not too far from this must visit Gelateria, N and I crossed over the Tiber and followed our maps until we found the charming Via di San Simone.  It’s a small street lined with shops full of irresistible clothes, art, and antiques which slowed our pace just a little.  We eventually came across the courtyard off Via do San Simone where tucked away is the Gelateria del Teatro.

Splurge or Save – Rome Accommodation

Posted on May 13, 2012 in Travel | 0 comments

When travelling there is almost always a trade-off to for most of us when managing our travel budget.  Splurge for nicer accommodation or save and go for that hot-air balloon ride you have always dreamed about.  Where to put those precious travel dollars/pounds/Euros?  I will be adding a Save or Splurge section to my blog to post my thoughts on the various things I save, or splurge on in my travels.

Splurge or Save on Rome Accommodation?

While in Rome I stayed at the Clover Guest Rooms (organised via the Beehive Hotel Rome) and the Radisson BLU Rome both located near the Stazione Termini.   The area is a convenient area, not far from the major attractions with easy access to the main train station which is also where you will find the bus station and the Metro, making it easy for getting around.  I would suggest making use of the buses and metro when possible, they are only 1 EURO  for a ticket which is good to anywhere for 75 minutes.  This is the same price as it was my first visit in 2006, London could learn something from Rome from this!  Read on to find out if you should Splurge or Save in Rome on Accommodation.

How to Renovate an Entire Village

Posted on May 7, 2012 in Travel | 0 comments

The Village of Solomeo

What would it be like to renovate your hometown? Since my trip to Umbria, Italy where I visited the picturesque village of Solomeo, I’ve thought how nice it would be to redo even part of my hometown and give back to a place I enjoyed growing up so much.

Where would I get such an idea?  From the village of Solomeo, where I visited as part of my trip to the Umbria region of Italy.  While visiting the village I was shown around the Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere company headquarters and workshops,which are found inside a renovated 14th century castle.  Here I saw a company that does things a little differently. Brunello Cucinelli, 59, has renovated this medieval village of Solomeo, a little town of approximately 400 people, a large number whom work for his company, which also owns a great deal of the village.

The then abandoned castle in the village of Solomeo was originally purchased in 1987.  Brunello has since bought other buildings in the village, as well as renovating the town square, church, recreation centre and has built a theatre, and a Neo-Humanist Academy including a library.  All caringly restored to their simple architectural style and with a high standard of workmanship.

This means the castle itself is a modern bright place to work while still keeping in character of the building.  A key factor in the renovations of  this building is to create a pleasant working atmosphere for it’s employees.  One of Brunello’s philosophy is to have trust in his employees  that they will be productive for the company, even if they are not clocked.  As well his company pays higher than the standard rate of pay, 20% more.

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Neo-Humanist Academy Library

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How to Eat Like an Italian

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Food, Travel | 0 comments

To Eat like an Italian means understanding there is a time and a place for everything in Italy, especially when it comes to food.  It probably won’t surprise you that Italians take their food very seriously, this is why Italy has become known for great food.  During my recent visit to the Umbria region of Italy I realized just how much the accolades of Italian food are deserved.

Being ignorant of the Italian way meant many a time I earned a look of disapproval or worse a tut and shake of the head, and even a refusal of what was requested!  While offending the population of Umbria with my errant food habits I learned how to eat like an Italian.  In Italy a meal is time to spend with family and friends, a time to be savoured and so Italian meals are no quick affair.

To eat like an Italian you will need to know what to expect. An Italian meal can consist of many courses, most common is the 4 course meal which consists of the following. Antipasto, starters consisting of cured meats such as salami and Prosciutto (aka Parma Ham), bread, olives, cheese and such. Primo is next and is a warm dish, usually pasta.  Secondo follows, it is the meat course, usually pork, chicken or fish. Dolce is dessert, so something sweet commonly (especially in the Umbria region) it would consist of  something chocolatety or cream based, or both, like tiramisu.  And finally Caffè, which will be of the espresso variety.

Around all that food are the drinks!  Starting with an Aperitivo, usually a Prosecco (a dry sparkling Italian wine).  With the meal you will be served with the wine to match your food, and finally after your coffee there will be a final drink  the  digestivo, usually a limoncello.

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