New Summary TRAVEL articles by Cesare Zucca

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    see full article see full article One_il piacere del lusso_anno II_n2 see full article see full article see full article                                                       see full article see full article see full article see full article PDF_travel_articles final version gdansk-food budapest-traveller-finBOUTIQUE HOTEL CASA ANGELINA,  AMALFI COAST
    by Cesare Zucca     http://www.torrettas.com Three ‘Nobel’ days in Oslo Stay at the Grand Hotel
    3 HOTELS ROOF TOPS you don’t want to miss
    by Cesare Zucca   Discovering beautiful Poland POZNAN by Cesare Zucca INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL Phnom Penh
        
    BEST ‘KIDS FRIENDLY’ MUSEUMS IN NEW YORK
    Children’s Museum of The Arts (103 Charlton St) invita all’arte, coinvolgendo i bambini in disinvolte classi di pittura, ceramica, scultura e musica.
    New York City Fire Museum (278 Spring St) organizza Safety Tour, una vera lezione sul fuoco con tanto di simulazione di incendio, dove un vigile newyorkese insegnerà le tecniche di salvataggio.
    Children’s Museum of Manhattan (212 West 83 St) è un immenso asilo stile Disneyland con cinque piani di attrazioni, giochi educativi, passatempi intelligenti e divertimento, daLet’s Dance, spazio interattivo dedicato ai bambini che amano ballare, a Art, Artists & You  dove i piccoli si improvvisavo artisti .
    Natural History Museum (CPW/79 St) ospita The Butterfly Conservatory, una foresta con più di 500 farfalle da tutto il mondo.
    You just don’t realize how lucky you were when your join the guided 3,30-hour food tour organized by VisitLLjubljana.com managed by the Tourism Office of Ljubljana until you experience it.           They offer numerous guided city tours  including the Historical City Centre and Ljubljana Castle revolving around history, art and landmarks, whether on foot, bicycle or on a boat cruising the river. There is no other way to sample the incredible diversity of Slovenian food in so little time and in such a fun and well-paced way.
    Slovenia is a small country yes, but it counts no less than 24 gastronomic regions. Ljubljana, reminding me of Paris in a way, is pretty much in the center of the country and, as a capital, has attracted many food vendors and restaurateurs to benefit from the largest concentration of population (and tourists) of the country. But, right off the bat, let me tell you that, at no point, do you feel shepherded to a pasture of touristic traps you would have found on your own. The choice is balanced between food shops and restaurants, clearly very carefully picked. Also, it isn’t a gorging party:
    at the end of the tour, you feel satiated, without ever feeling over full!. As all good cooking requests, things started with the sourcing of ingredients: the market!
    And Ljubljana is blessed, right in its center with a human sized, yet substantial farmer’s market, with one section dedicated to only certified organic vendors. I had noticed on my way to the tour some beautiful chanterelle mushrooms, as well as yellow broad beans that I had never encountered before. Lucky enough, I was able to find them again and was met with the most charming smile the seller could have shared. Then, we got to visit the permanent covered market, a beautiful building along the riverbank. That was like entering a world of its own. Gorgeous charcuterie, cheeses, breads (got a loaf of this dark and dense bread, yet moist and oh! so tasty). A separate section is dedicated to fish, perhaps for temperature and odor control. Whatever the reason might be, I was really impressed by the display of fish available and the absence actually of any strong fishy smell. Slovenia is known mainly as an inland country, but it does have a little bit of coast on the Adriatic Sea and they sure know how to source the best of what can come out of it. Everything looked so fresh, a real temptation for any cook.
    But carrying fish on ice for the rest of the tour was NOT going to happen!
        We met our lovely guide Simona in Ciril-Metodov, the cobblestoned main street. She took us at Klòbasarna, where we had the first tasting: a warm smoked sausage form the Carniola region just South of Austria, in other words at the Northern end of Slovenia. Made of the finest pieces of pork, this sausage neither greasy nor too dry, just hit the spot accompanied by a light red wine, a little horseradish and mustard which I loved.     Simona took us in more that 7 venues, specialized in different specialties, from the syrups and the honeys of Dobrote-Dolenjske,  to the traditional cake prekmurska gibanica homemade at
    Gujzina I won’t be going in the detail of all the things tasted, either in gastronomic shops or in restaurants… I want you to go and experience it for yourself. Besides beef tongue, fried chicken, honey (Slovenia is Europe’s largest producer per capita), my heart will go for this humble dish of mashed potatoes with sautéed onions and bits of bacon that we tasted at a very special restaurant, Druga Violina, where all the members of the staff suffer from some form of disability or another. It felt really good to contribute to this effort to support the community and, let’s be frank, it also tasted soooo good, just by itself. With influences coming from all neighboring countries (Italy, Austria, Hungry and Croatia), tucked between sea, plains, forests and mountains, the small country of Slovenia is rich of diversity and, if this three-hour tour cannot cover everything, it sure serves as the best introduction one can hope to taste in this timeframe!
    Tours priced at 52€ everything included,
    To make a reservation
    For more info www.visitLjubljana.com Posted in Food, travel | Tagged Food Tour, Ljubljana, prekmurska gibanica, Tourism Office of Ljubljana | Leave a reply Edit GRAND HOTEL TOPLICE, JULIJANA RESTAURANT IN BLED, SLOVENIA Posted on Slovenia. Bled, about an hour North of the capital Ljubljana to the North-West of Slovenia. Rather than the town it is the beautiful lake that gives the name Bled, famous among the European elite as early as the 1930’s with the construction of a luxurious hotel providing  natural hot spring source knowned for health benefits.I am talking of the Grand Hotel Toplice, a venue that boasts a rich history, a magical location, gorgeous alpine and lake views and sumptuously comfortable, elegantly styled rooms.   Each of the rooms and suites at Grand Hotel Toplice has its own unique character and are traditionally styled with beautiful parquet floors, rich furniture and beautiful paintings with many of the rooms benefiting from breathtakingly beautiful lake views. The hotel has been recently renovated and restored to its former glory and is one of the best hotels in Slovenia as well as being a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.           It has hosted many eminent guests and is frequented by celebrities such as  Vivian Leigh, Arthur Miller, Pablo Neruda, King Hussein of Jordan, Paul McCartney and…me, with my best friend-chef-writer Philip Sinsheimer, graciously hosted by Sava hotel and resort group that manage the venue. Starting from the impeccable reception. the hotel boasts luxurious accommodation, few restaurant, a bar  and the enchantment of Lake Bled. All rooms and suites are individually decorated in an enchanting and traditional style, lavishly equipped with an excellent range of facilities, a relaxing thermal swimming pool and benefit from different saunas, wellness services and a solarium among a private lido, where Philip (expert swimmer) dived in the limpid lake water while me (lazy man…) was indulging in a relaxing sunbathing. We dedicated the morning ( when the light is best) to row to the island where the minuscule baroque chapel.I was anxious to hear the bells rings, because  I knew about the legend wich narrates that around the year 1500, the leaseholder of Lake Bled at the time, Hartman Kreigh, disappeared. People said he was killed. Sad for the events, the Lady of the Castle collected all of her precious golden jewellery to be melted down and casted into a bell for the chapel on the island of the Lake, so that the bell would toll in remembrance of  beloved companion. They say the bell has a magic power, when it rings, you should make 3 wishes and wait for them to become real.  We did 99 steps and finally we arrived at the church, where the view is really breathtaking and, yes, we waited for the bell… Not sure my wishes are becoming a reality, we ll see…. A true wish coming true was the  splendid dinner we were invited for dinner at Julijana Restaurant where Chef Bertoncelj prepared a great dinner.
    I leave Philip the privilege of writing about it, since he is a chef and a food blogger.                                   GRANDE CUISINE BY THE LAKE
    This historic landmark now called the Grand Hotel Toplice, operated by the Sava hotel and resort group, has managed to preserve the relics of the past with grand salons adorned with memorabilia pictures and bring all the comfort of modernity at the same time.This delicate balance between past was brilliantly reflected in the cuisine of the executive chef Simon Bertoncelj and the whole crew under him. Having dinner at the gastronomic Julijana Restaurant, especially if the weather allows to eat al fresco facing the lake is a moment of bliss: the quality of service, attention to detail and classic decor evoke a certain respect of classical elegance. This doesn’t constrain the cuisine to old classics, and the chef’s creativity and modern techniques seem to find their place very naturally in this elegant environment. The mise en bouche consisting of a delicately baked oyster and a buttery giant shrimp had all the signs of what you can expect in a palace restaurant: prime quality ingredients simply treated. This seafood opening was in synch with the view of the water even though it wasn’t the sea. As I were to learn later by the chef, unfortunately, as beautiful as it is, the lake doesn’t often yield the quantity of fish needed to take place on the menu.   The mushroom cappuccino with porcini had the depth of flavor one can only get in top notch restaurants, served piping hot but adorned with the freshness of a few micro greens scattered on top rather than the old habit of a dollop of cream and a few chives. Fresh too was the vitello tonnato inspired salad, bright and lively. Here, as in all the great restaurants experienced in Slovenia, the wine list paid homage to the country’s fine wines, such as the 2017Verus Chardonnay from Stajerska, the western part of the Podravje region in the North of the country. At last a chardonnay that can showcase both concentration of flavors and freshness in the palate with a mere 13° alcohol content.The shining fish course was a thick and moist turbot filet, perfectly cooked and adorned by a beautiful composition of vegetables and foamy grapefruit sauce. Here again: classic base and modern composition. Though generous, nothing was heavy, and the beautiful matured saddle of veal served pink with a herb crust was still welcome. To finish, the iconic Bled Cream Cake, which recipe goes back to 1953 and is secretly kept by the Sava hotels group. The result was up to the legend. Even though I really do not have much of a sweet tooth, and I have had my share of mille-feuilles in France, this raised version of the classic with just two layers of perfectly crisp puffed pastry holding a firm custard covered by a layer of lighter whipped cream is to die for… Chef Simon Bertoncelj, who has worked under the commands of Gordon Ramsey, seems rather poised and discreet, but if you really want to find out, he opens his kitchen to a guest table of 2 to 6 people for a 7-course menu cooked and served, right before their eyes…and ears! For more info
    Julijana Restaurant
    Grand Hotel Toplice
    Cesta svobode 12, 4260 Bled, Slovenia
    +386 4 579 10 00 Contact Cesta svobode 12, 4260 Bled, Slovenija Reception +386 4 579 10 00 ghtoplice@hotelibled.com Reservations +386 4 579 16 00 info@hotelibled.com   Posted in Food, travel | Tagged Bed, chef Simon Bertoncelj, Grand Hotel Toplice, Juljiana Restaurant, Slovenia | Leave a reply Edit Hotel Hellsten, Stockholm. Memories of an exotic journey Posted on Hotel Hellsten is located in the heart of Stockholm and is the ideal starting point for all those who are visiting the City, since the attractions and sites of interest are reachable by public transport within easy reach including the subway that is just round the corner.
    The next street is the busy Sveavägen, Stockholm”s only real boulevard. The hotel is just around the corner from the underground (metro) stop Rådmansgatan. The locality is one of the most exciting in Stockholm, with a multitude of different restaurants within a few minutes walking distance. It is also a short walk from Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s historic and beautiful old town. I loved the area, and the next busy street Sveavägen, so alive and full of restaurants, shops and…barbers & haidressers,don’t ask me why, but very useful… The rooms are divided into various types depending on the services they offer, mostly in different styles, some have canopy bed, some are equipped with the classic Swedish fireplace called kakelugnar, light rays, wooden panels, even a private sauna,       The walls are painted with warm colors that span from orange to red, to blue, to purple.     All rooms have private new bathrooms, TV, telephone, free wired internet access and a hairdryer. They are non-smoking as well as the entire structure.   My room had a cosy little terrace. Here and there I found exotic touches, my guide explained that Mr.Hellsten, owner of Hellsten, Rex and the newest Hellsten Glashus, is an enthusiastic traveller who likes to collect items from his trips. I loved the african masks !       You have a colonial-style bar where coffee and tea are served 24 hours for free. Great idea! Every Thursday Hellsten Earth Bar transforms into one of Stockholm’s premier jazz venues. Exciting live acts on stage at 8pm and on the last Thursday of each month you are welcome to jam with the band, just bring your instruments or vocals, and the entrance is free.. Comfy beds and an excellent breakfast buffet that included pancakes, cold cuts, cheeses, eggs, lots of fruits and the traditional Swedish meatballs and served in a sunny and spacious veranda.
    Add Hotel Hellsten on your next trip to Stockholm!
    For more info
    http://hellsten.se/en/Hotel_Hellsten   Posted in travel | Tagged Hotel Hellsten, Stockholm | Leave a reply Edit Industrial or design? A posh stay in Hamburg Posted on In my last trip to Hamburg I got the chance to visit and stay in Hotel Gastwerk and The George, two great properties owned by Fortune Hotels Group.
    They have different style and decor, both friendly, welcoming and worth to spend one (or few) nights there.Let’s start with the industrial red bricks Gastwerk. The name says it all, It was a squared and rigorous red bricks gas factory. Roughly 120 years ago, the old gas plant provided light to the streets and houses in West Hamburg. In the impressive and carefully restored industrial building, built with brick and steel, modern design and historical architecture form a fascinating harmonic setting. Gastwerk is first Hamburg’s design hotel. The building welcomed me with a large hall with a wide, meticulously well lighted reception and two unforgettable metal elevators, one red and one yellow lighted.                                                 The industrial adventure was already starting…             141 rooms, lofts and suites, some with modern walls with a contemporary feeling, some with bricks walls (I love them), like the loft-like one where I was staying, giving the perfect atmosphere of and warehouse. In addition to that Gastwerk boasts a configurable conference area, the Mangold restaurant (I didn’t dine there, so no idea of the food) the L.BAR, the beautiful SPA, free parking spaces in front of the hotel and underground.   Here and there you’ll discover classy touches of fresh flowers, old  black and white pictures, original gas machines, and a splendid old water boiler.               The second Fortune Hotel is The George, located in the hearth of the vibrant Saint George area.                                                        This venue is a triumphant tribute to the apotheosis of a ‘boutique hotel’ concept, where design meets furniture, lighting and that smell of trendyness…               This reinterpretation of English style in Hamburg results in rooms swathed in warm colors ranging from cocoa to Champagne, lamps with delightful pleated shades and stylish wallpaper in a variety of designs.                             Super comfy mattresses, a nice view of the Lake Alster, not to mention that sweet & cute ‘Welcome Cesare’… The George Hotel is a four-pearl property flush with a Great-Britain-in-the-’60s design, with 125 stylish rooms that all have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free weight, a party-vibe bar, the supercool rooftop Campari Lounge in the terrace with a spectacular view of the Alster, a defined breakfast buffet that included a fine selection of cold cuts, imported cheeses, fruits and vegetables, and…   Yes! there is Da Caio, italian restaurant (where I could not resist peeping at the menu, which I found correct in dishes choices and…right spelling, which is always a good sign for an Italian eating in an Italian restaurant abroad… Here info
    Hotel Gastwerk
    The George,
    Fortune Hotels Group. Posted in travel | Tagged Da Caio, Fortune Hotels Group, Gastwerk Hotel, Hamburg, The George Hotel | Leave a reply Edit Two memorable days in Pula Posted on Great history, mild climate, smooth sea, unspoiled nature, dream beaches, friendly locals, smiling people, amazing food and…best teeth on hearth!                                                                                               Welcome to Croatia! I spent only two days in Pula, but, believe me , I ‘ll go back!. Pula is the largest town on the Istrian peninsula and offers a diversity of attractions to lovers of culture. The rich itinerary of its three thousand year old history, where every step you take through the Old Town is a landmark, begins and ends with the Roman amphitheatre. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism.
    The Arena. Pula’s amphitheater was built around the end of the first century before Christ. It was August with a very hot weather. That s why my lovely guide Rossana met me there early in the morning , immediately after they open the gate. I suggest you to do the same. Rossana told me a quite cute legend about a raw linen made tent (they called it velarium) that used to be opened up to protect from the sun and give some shade to the audience while watching the show, or function as a bug umbrella in case of rain. Actually the morning is he best time to come to the arena  as well the sunset time. Often the Arena hosts operas, concerts and performances. The acoustic is amazing: Tenors Giorgio Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Beniamino Gigli said the this place was one of the most suitable for their voice and for the public. In the Arena have been performing great music legends such as Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Sting, Simply Red, Robert Plant, Status Quo, Massive Attack, just to mention few. Every summer, Pula host a superb Film Festival in the Arena,
    Celebrity town. Pula was also the residence of many Italian celebrities, from Italian singer Sergio Endrigo, to Italian actress Alida Valli who was celebrated as one of the most beautiful woman in the he world. Pula girls!
    The legacy of Alida Valli keeps the tradition. Beauty, charme, and those beautiful legs, so famous all over the world, make the local girls  into dreamgirls ! Writer James Joyce
    choose Pula as his residency for several years. After a full day of historical sightseeing you will find many coffee shops on the street Forum including Café Uliks is a must for any fans of James Joyce, the Irish author who worked in Pula as a teacher in the early 20th century. Wines and food Wines top quality wines including Malvasia (one of my favorites) the most famous Istrian wines produced from indigenous white grapes. and Teran, a  rich red wine, intensely purple colored, able to compet with the Italian ones but less expensive. A big time specialty is the  zgvacet ragout. It is a sauce of diced chunks of chicken meat. In Pula, just as in most towns of Istria, be sure to taste seafood specialties, of which dishes rospi (monkfish), sea bass or delicious buzara Kvarner scampi only a small number of delicacies on offer. In Pula you should try and shells, thanks to the clear waters are a special flavor mussels, scallops or kanaštrele excellent fish stew, and definitely should try the black risotto with cuttlefish. Lovers of oily fish to taste anchovies to savor. This dish is eaten cold and fried sardines topped with sauce, oil, onion, vinegar and spices.In Pula you should try and maneštras traditional thick soup whose main ingredients are potatoes and beans with added mixture of bacon and garlic.
    Truffles!
    Many Pula’s restaurants carry the highlight of gastronomy: the white truffles. Try them with fusi or gnocchi with truffles or shaved over meat or cheese. But the real combo, the Romeo and Juliet of the choiche should be truffles and eggs! Bars, shops, market and flea markets Have fun, look around, bargain!
    Smile! Dental tourism, is hot in Croatia, organized groups come here and put their teeth in place  with low-budget, cheaper prices, excellent quality, good materials and expert dentist. How to contact them who contact them? Or you can see on the websites or call the local tourist agency that will give you advice on the best places or to be so lucky to have a  friend who has already been here already. Do not!
     Croatia has its own currency: the kuna.
    Don’t change your money in the street, you may get useless Balcanian or Bulgarian money…
    Go into a bank and change there! Where to stay I stayed at Amfiteatar Hotel, located in the heart of the Pula city, hotel Amphitheater is at a 2 minutes walking distance to the Arena and 5 minutes walking distance to the city cathedral, with the harbor also in the close vicinity. Beach and the airport are only 10 minutes away by car. Very close to the arena and within a short walking distance to all the other attractions in the  old town. I had dinner in the outdoor restaurant, Owner Chef and culinary star Deniz Zembo prepared delicious local dishes with a twist. I loved the grilled octopuss and  delicious cake. I would like to thank the lovely ladies Viviana Vukelic and Adriana Bajic from Ente Nazionale Croato per il Turismo in Milan and the super cool Goran from the Tourism Office in Pula, Chef Deniz Zembo and my amazing guide Rossana. They truly contributed to make my Pula’s visit memorable, fun and wonderful. For more info
    ENTE NAZIONALE CROATO PER IL TURISMO
    https://croatia.hr/en-GB TOURISM OFFICE PULA http://www.pulainfo.hr/     Hacienda Chichen: discover the most revered Mayan site the smart way! Chichen Itza, located inland of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 200 km East of Cancun, is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico with over 2.6 million tourists in 2017.
    Do the math…                                                   .That’s on average over 7000 visitors a day. Even though the site is not limited to the iconic Kukulcàn pyramid (photo 1) and covers a very large area (over 300 hectares), that is a lot of human flesh roaming around! Especialy when one considers that the most popular way to visit the Unesco world heritage site is via tour operators organizing day trips from Cancun or Merida, creating a huge influx of fully loaded buses arriving around 11 AM or so every day. Arriving with the sun at its hottest among hordes of tourists had always been a deterring idea to me. I had sacrificed the visit of wholly site during my passed 3 visits of Yucatan, favoring the ruins of Tulum and Cuba, less crowded and still awesome examples of the might and splendor of the Mayan civilization. For this fourth visit this last spring, I was determined to visit the legendary Chichen Itza in the best way possible. Staying overnight at the Hacienda Chichen revealed to be the smartest answer possible. Smart because by staying overnight in this historic hotel located a few hundred feet from the archeological site enables to start exploring the grounds as early as 8 AM, before the arrival of the crowds. Smart, because the hotel combines genuine elegance and great service while respecting authenticity and ecological responsibility. Follow me, let me show you the way…When I arrived from Tulum around noon at the Chichen Itza bus terminal, I was left at the main entrance of the site in one of the largest parking lots I have ever seen: hundreds of buses still unloading their loads of tourists from every continent. The line to the ticket booth was long, the heat dreadful. Instead of joining the frenzy, I hopped in a cab and 10 minutes later, I was discovering the old-world charm of the Hacienda Chichen. The check in was a breeze and the welcoming cocktail made of pineapple and Chaya leaf juice refreshing as heaven (pic 3). I was later to learn that it had been freshly made from the organic garden of the property, providing a lot of the fruits, vegetables and herbs used by the kitchen   The front desk offered to arrange the purchase of my ticket to visit the site the next morning, without any surcharge, avoiding the hassle to wait in line. They also offered the possibility to have a legitimate private guide for the visit, but as usual, I declined in order to feel totally free and visit at my own pace. The afternoon was mine to relax and enjoy what the Hacienda had to offer. The 28 rooms set in a total of 12 cottages spread out on the lush grounds were originally built to host archeologists who helped excavate the site. Now they are opened to all offering soothing air conditioning, large bed, beautiful sheets, large bathrooms, fresh flowers and hammocks on the front porch for those eager to adopt the Mayan way to take a nap at the sound of singing birds       Another way to relax in a horizontal way is to indulge in one of the treatments at the Yaxkin spa. And that’s exactly what I did, with the 45-minute Pakal treatment, a Maya healing ritual focusing on the head and the upper body. The soul is also soothed by an initial prayer in Mayan language by my charming therapist. I loved the fact that the room was very large, not one of those cubicles where on feels locked up. The outside garden was present in the room with the use of various herbs and plants, including a refreshing aloe vera jelly applied on the face.Totally relaxed, I finished the afternoon by lingering by the superb swimming pool, large and square as I like them to do laps at length. .Recycled and chemical-free water added a guilt free sensation to the overall pleasure. Time went by and before I knew it was time to meet the general manager for a grand tour of the property, including the restored church where weddings can be organized, surrounded by the beautifully maintained vegetation).
    No wedding the evening of my stay, but I still felt like a very special person, enjoying an evening drink on the beautiful front patio at the sound of a traditional trio singing deep from the heart local ballads.
    For dinner, I ventured across the street to the humbler Villas Areological hotel (http://www.villasarqueologicas.com.mx/chichen-itza.html)
    that I wanted to check out for its restaurant serving a variety of traditional dishes from Yucatan. The best, by far, was the cream of Chaya soup and I appreciated the selection of Mexican wines. The night was young, but the day had been long, so I was eager to return to my beautiful room for a good night sleep. At 8:20 Am, I recuperated my ticket to visit the site and was guided to the private entrance specific to the Hacienda. I was alone when I crossed the gate and after a ten-minute walk, I was facing the beautiful Mayan pyramid with the company of a couple of iguanas, but not another human soul.      The morning air was cool, and the silence only broken by singing birds. All the merchants on the way were focused on unpacking their things, leaving me unburdened. Besides the famous pyramid, I loved walking through the gigantic ball game field practically alone As well as discovering the sacred cenote (sinkhole) and the perfectly aligned columns without the eye sore of groups of tourists ruining the geometry of the monuments.    After three hours of walking at my own pace, I went back to the Hacienda, walking against the growing flow of visitors and the solicitations of the souvenir vendors, they were in full swing mode, trying to sell their T-shirts and miniature statues probably made in China!
    The heat had risen and a last dip in the pool after a refreshing outdoor shower felt like pure bliss. At noon I was packed and ready to leave this magical place.                                       
    A short taxi ride took me to the small town of Piste where I tasted a delicious and original pozole de coco, lightly sweetened and perfectly chilled (pic 20), then hopped on a collective to reach Valladolid after 24 hours of total serenity, visiting the most famous Mayan site in the best way possible…
    the nontouristytourist way! Text and photos by Philip Sinsheimer   HACIENDA CHICHEN RESORT AND YAXKIN SPA http://www.haciendachichen.com Tel: +52 999 920 8407       Posted in travel | Tagged Chichen Itza, Mexico | Leave a reply Edit A ‘HYGGE’SUMMER IN COPENHAGEN Posted on In summer Copenhagen is an ideal destination: favorable weather, long and sunny days, smiling, polite and serene people. It seems that everyone here discovers the secret of happiness: hygge, a Danish word that invites you to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and live alone or with friends, at home or outside, special and happy moments.
    Find yourself singing on the beach around a bonfire, have a nice picnic at the park, attend an outdoor concert, participate in a street festival or take a bike ride … these and more are the little pleasures of life that feed the hygge spirit in the life of the Danes. To find out right away just do this test . The result is a real personalized treatment based on hygge, released with all the tips on how to get it on a trip to Denmark.
    Useful and precious, a true friend! I’m talking about the Copenhagen Card, a pass that allows you to visit as many as 86 museums and attractions, use all public transportation for free and benefit from discounts on tours, bars and restaurants.
    I also used it for a tour of the canals and the port. 1 hour, audiogude in all languages, a show of ancient and modern architecture, a sea of photos. passing the numerous bridges of the city. But pay attention to be seated: the bridges are very low and the risk to bump your head on it, it s quite possible.
     Tivoli
        The oldest playground in the world. You will skip over breathtaking roller coasters,you will be projected into space, you will remain suspended in the air more than a thousand other rides in the charming gardens where the oriental facade of beautiful
    Hotel Nimb stands out. After the aerial acrobatics, I finally relaxed in the Brasserie, famous Nimb restaurant,
    French cuisine, refined menu, excellent wine list, good service and relaxing atmosphere (apart from the crowded side room that celebrated a noisy birthday…) I tasted the Chef’s specialties, a delicate mollusk bisque served with scampi and carrots, a crunchy turbot à la meunière, sprinkled with lemon drops, ending with a puff pastry stuffed with strawberries and cream, all paired to my favorite Sancerre Domaine de La Garenne, deliciously fruity, In short, a dinner worthy of the unique atmosphere of the location.
    Copenhagen history boasts of royalties and magnificent castles,Here my favorites
    Amalienborg Palace, a must for anyone with a taste for royal history and the life of Denmark’s royal family who still resides inside the palace. Experience royal history at the museum and sense the present of one of the world’s oldest monarchies from the beautiful palace square where you can watch the changing of its famous guards called Den Kongelige Livgarde. Every day you can experience the changing of the guards, as they march from their barracks in 100 Gothersgade by Rosenborg Castle through the streets of Copenhagen and end up at Amalienborg, where the changing of the guard takes place at 12:00 noon.
    Christiansborg Palace famous for its hall covered with 17 giant tapestries, which tell 1000 years of Danish history, It is a gift from The Danish business community in occasion of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe 50th birthday,. Bjørn Nørgaard painted the full-size sketches upon which the tapestries were woven. These impressive royal rooms host the official receptions in the presence of the Queen, between a sparkle of uniforms and great evening gowns. Better to avoid arriving by car or taxi, the protocol prefers that the guests present themselves in a carriage…   As a food lover, I could not resist the temptation to descend into the legendary Royal Kitchens to discover the background of an official banquet, browse the Queen’s recipes and admire one of the largest collections of copper crockery in Europe.
        To be or not to be…
    I recommend a small excursion outside the city. Helsingør 30 minutes by train.
    The famous Castle of Kronborg, better known as Hamlet’s house, reigns there. In fact, here Shakespeare set his drama. Gossips say that the writer had never been there, but would have been an actor in his company to tell him about this mighty fortress, from whose park, littered with cannons, you can glimpse Sweden. Suddenly the walls resound with the voices of the characters of Hamlet, which appear, like ghosts, perfectly interpreted by talented actors who bring to life the tragic events of the drama, You could spend a whole day in Kronborg, and live many experiences, guided tours through the casemates and the halls, explore the passages and towers, see a play and relax admiring the sea – but if you prefer, you can get an idea Kronborg concrete even in just one hour. Kronborg is open all year round (except 1st January, 24th, 25th and 31st December) from 11am to 4pm. In the summer (June, July and August) the schedule is extended: from 10.30am to 5.30pm.
    After all that drama I needed a…great meal and I went to the renowned restaurant Brasserie 1861, where I met the Chef. His name is Casper Stuhr Sobczyk I can describe him as a gentle viking with the sweetest smile and… smoked sardines tattooed in his arm.
    They called him ‘the king of herbs ‘for his passion for vegetables and fresh products from the field. His passions are: fish, molluscs, entrails as lamb’s brain, (not so popular in the quite skeptic Northern Europe), He started with French cuisine, passed to the molecular and ended up with mixing them two styles. ‘I like to play with the ingredients, says Casper, like for example, pairing strawberries to balsamic vinegar. I worked in Danmark a lot, including the Copenhagen National Library. I got good reviews and I started my new adventure here at Marienlyst Hotel, In my my fridge at home, there is always place for eggs, probably because my wife loves them, lot of vegetables and of course several max sizei Pepsi. I Love Pepsi… ‘His friendly Verona born partner Fabio Ciccarelli started serving a surprising appetizer: a revolutionary version of the traditional blini, made with caviar white sturgeon, to be mixed to crème fraiche on herbal waffle. The ingredients just melt perfectly together.                                                                      Then a salted unusually cooked burned salmon, followed by a mackerel with foie gras, green peas. As a main dish , I tasted halibut with asparagus that burned for few minutes to maintain the crunchiness. Every dish was so intense, so fresh and so herbal.
    No wonder why Chef Sobczyk is the ‘king of herbs…
    ’In the summer, Denmark is a foodies paradise with its festivals and gastronomic events Do not miss the Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival from August 24th to September 2nd, during which Copenhagen becomes a huge Nordic restaurant and definitely stop at the new street food Reffen, an urban playground recently opened, that mixes crafts and culture. Reffen is a place where the people of Copenhagen are invited to take part in the development. 54 start-ups in the form of food stalls, bars and creative workshops many confirming the dogmas “Reduce and Reuse”.   Mermaid yes or no?
    The most celebrated mermaid statue of The Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen’s children’s story, sitting on a stone at Langelinie in the harbor of Copenhagen, Denmark. Honestly I saw her from the boat and I have to say that the invading ‘selfie addicted crowd’ didn’t appeal to me… So I went at night, and here she was, alone, shining on the dark, mysterious and looking like wanting to splash in the water any minute,
    That, I call a magic encounter with Miss Mermaid…for more info
    #visitdenmarkstories @govistdenmark. Posted in travel | Tagged Copenhagen | Leave a reply Edit Hamburg, Germany, Why go there and where to stay, what to eat Posted on I started my Hamburg experience with an avalanche of photos and selfies on board of the Stadtrundfahrt double-decker bus, providing earphones in all languages. In a couple of hours you’ll know the city, get off when you want, visit and get the next one. An indispensable tour, also in a mini-cruise version with Harbor Cruise You will enjoy the aquatic view of the city, of the immense port and of the colossal cargo ships with gigantic containers.
    Hamburg means bricks, red bricks, so my next stop was Speicherstadt.   Almost a kilometer of old warehouses with typical red bricks, used as storage for incoming goods: oriental carpets, tea, raw coffee, cocoa, tobacco, spices. Among the attractions: a kaffeerösterei, an old coffee roaster, where you can also enjoy decadent cakes with strawberries and cream.       Chocoversum,  a true chocolate triumph,
    Manufactum a trendy shop and the Spice Museum  where you will find and taste everything: European spices, Asian and Indian flavors, exotic perfumes, 50 varieties of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, mustard seeds and the most expensive ones: orchid vanilla and saffron.   Miniatur Wunderland Models of trains and landscapes in miniature? I was doubtful …well, I was amazed. Two huge floors where landscapes and cities of all the world have been meticulously reconstructed with airports, motorways, railways in great turmoil and crowded by a thousand minuscule people, including a team while washing Pope Francis car…       Travel and read.
    130 bookshops stocked with second hand books! Passengers are allowed not only to read them during their journey ,but also to take them home.   Elbphilharmonie
    Extraordinary glass structure, with windows that look like eyes. With its perfect acoustic, hosts concerts and shows. You get there with a spectacular 82 meter escalator that runs through The Plaza, from which you can enjoy a great view.
    Perfect location for a drink or a snack at the Beer & Dine and a little shopping in the well-stocked book, music and souvenir store. Tickets can be booked 18 weeks in advance and children up to three years do not pay.
    Hamburg and its museums. I chose two. Kunsthalle, 700 years of art, from the great masters of the Renaissance until 1800 with Manet, Caspar David Friedrich, up to the German expressionism (which I adore) and the contemporary avant-garde .
    MKG  Great museum with unusual exhibits: famous deco posters, precious vintage pianos, sketches and 30s dresses, a space dedicated to design furniture, photo galleries avant – garde and much more.
    It is true that the hamburger was born in Hamburg?
    The most famous meatball in the world is ‘made in the USA’ or ‘made in Hamburg’?
    The name would leave no doubt, but the Americans boast its paternity.
    The Germans claim that it was cooked in the houses of Hamburg and then it was exported to the USA, while for the Americans it would be born in the port of Hamburg, a municipality located in the state of New York and the inventors would have been the Menches brothers who in 1885 would propose the first sandwich stuffed with meat during the country festival Erie County Fair.
    Legends aside, here you will find space burgers. The best from Burger Lounge, Jim Block Jungfernstieg, Dulf’s Burger , Otto’s Burger Grindelhof and Schanze . WHERE TO STAY
    I tried two hotels, both experiences were great!

    Novotel Hamburg City Alster Hotel
    4-star hotel in the modern rooms and suites with a desk and free WIFI
    Central location and U-Bahn station on our doorstep make the Novotel Hamburg City Alster hotel the ideal base in Hamburg. 5-minutes away from Alster-Schwimmhalle and within 20 minutes of English Theatre Of Hamburg. Highlights at this hotel include in-room free WiFi, free high-speed Internet, and LCD TVs. All 210 soundproofed rooms feature sofa beds, satellite TV, and separate bathtubs and showers. You’ll find nice touches like soaking tubs and free toiletries to enhance your stay. Coffee/tea makers, free newspapers, and safes are also available. Enjoy the fitness centre, Turkish bath/hammam, and sauna. Business amenities include a meeting room and a business centre. Added amenities include free WiFi in public areas and laundry facilities. Each morning excellent buffet breakfast is served between 6:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Sights within a 20-minute walk of this 4-star Hamburg-Nord hotel include Museum of Arts and Crafts Hamburg and Mundsburg Center. Enjoy the comfort of the sauna and the video games area. Rooms are spacious and bright, Super comfy bed…I slept like a baby!
    Dining in is an option with room service, and minibars provide refreshments. I had a great lunch at the hotel stylish restaurant Novo2, and a nice chat with the executive Chef, who told me that his menu focuses on seasonal products and evergreen tasty meat. and suggested a juicy and tender La Maracho Rump Steak with sauteed vegetables  and … a silver swan (just for decoration…) Novo2 is an innovative combination of a bar lounge , that offers delicious seasonal dishes and light snacks are served from 6.30am to 9.30pm. A cool spot where where you can have a nice glass of wine, like i did!
    INFO     Luebecker Strasse 3 22087 HAMBURG Germany HafenCity. It is the new futuristic district of Hamburg, area of ​​creatives and artists,
    To get there they have specially built the metropolitan U4 line. in 3 stops from the center you have already arrived. Here you can breathe fresh air, the spaces are open and many Hamburgers get away from work to go for a drink or a snack.
      I stayed at the brand new 25 Hours HafenCity Hotel where I had a great time. I felt like a sailor, the rooms look like a ship’s cabins, with prosperous painted models on the bathroom walls.   Here atmosphere is easy and relaxed , The motto says  COME AS YOU ARE! There is also free access to a spectacular spa in stones and wood. In the morning a rich buffet breakfast is set up, there you can find everything, including rote gruetze, my beloved raspberry, blueberry and cherry sauce served on lean yogurt. Yummy!       What does a real Hamburger drink?
    Beer, of course! It has been produced in Hamburg for over a millennium and has become an icon of German culture. Here some popular ones.
    Ratsherrn, one of the city’s most famous artisan breweries From pilsner to light beers. Galopper des Jahres, popular and animated. The members of the staff are true fan of craft beer, so be sure to ask for their recommendations: they know what to suggest for every taste and palate. Blockbräu, a terrace with a wonderful view.
    My favorite? Altes Mädchen An incredible variety of excellent local and around 70 international beers, also combined with tasty German specialties.Remember, the real Hamburger does not drink Coca Cola! The preferred alternative is fritz-kola, rich in caffeine and lemon. It was born in 2002, invented almost for fun by young friends Lorenz and Mirco and produced with a really amateur process. Imagine: the labels were photocopies and they were glued by hand on the bottle …
    Today it is the national soft drink.     Red lights …
    night and day!     The St. Pauli district was once a bad area full of noisy pubs, frequented by criminals, sailors and prostitutes. Today the taverns have become artistic skyscrapers, like the Dancing Towers, which seem to really dance, while the smoky haunts of the past have become fashionable places. But the raunchy survived: sex shops, theaters, striptease, burlesque and the inevitable bouncers who invite you to enter. In addition to the ‘sensory’ attractions, the neighborhood is full of super-trendy shops, new boutiques, hip clubs and bars Keep walking around the St.Pauli district,
    head towards Markstrasse and the surroundings of KarolinenvIertel. There You will find small bars, self-managed restaurants, flowers, perfumes, mini boutiques and lots of vintage. If you are ‘bio’ dive into the Rider Markt Halle, and a relaxing drink from Zoe the bar of the different sofas. For more chic and exclusive products, head to Hole Bleichen.       Then it comes the time for…
    beauty and relaxation.     After a long walk, it is right to take a relaxing break in Jungfernstieg, in the heart of Hamburg with a fantastic view of the Alster river. Here Nivea Haus awaits for you, this is the official store of the famous face cream, born in Hamburg in 1929. Here you can find classic or brand new creams for face and body, cosmetics, revitalizing treatments, relaxing massages, as well as manicures and pedicures.   Plus a really cute souvenir: your ‘Nivea’. You ‘ll be photographed and in a second …you’re on the cover of the famous blue box. I couldn’t resist …     So, what do you think?
    Am I fine for a cream cover?           Posted in travel | Tagged Hamburg | Leave a reply Edit MATERA, Italy. The city, the Sassi and the best Lucanian dishes Posted on
    Matera is one of the oldest cities in the world. By day the sunlight enhances its white. At night, it looks like an immense nativity set up under the starry sky.
    Its quarter I Sassi, ancient dwellings dug into the tufo, where the roofs serve as a base for the houses that have developed on higher levels. These were dug entirely into the rock and represent one of the most striking examples of exploitation of natural resources to obtain suitable conditions for the life of a large community. In the caves often lived more families and despite the lack of space, almost all daily activities took place in the cavities of cave-houses: from handicrafts to weaving, from food storage to animal care (dogs, chicken, pigs, horses and donkeys were living with the family as primitive source of heating). The temperature was constant and guaranteed by the characteristics of the sea tufo , so the inhabitants did not suffer too much from the cold in winter and found a shelter from summer heat. This way of life for years has been seen as a sign of backwardness and incivility. The inhabitants of the Sassi were often considered as primitives living like animals. In 1952 Sassi was considered “the Italian national shame”and abandoned in the late ’50s, Sassi was able to be redeemed until they became Unesco World Heritage in and will be the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Its amazing scenario has been used s a set for Mel Gibson “The Passion” Pier Paolo Pasolini “The Gospel According to Matthew “King David”, Christ The Lord: Out of Egypt “, and the remake of “Ben-Hur “. I took the Gran Tour of Sassi,
    an intense 3 hours guided tour and I learn so much about the history of this amazing city. The tour begins in front of the Cathedral, in the upper part of the City, and then goes deeper into the tangle of narrow alleys, caves, cellars, churches, small gardens, tiny squares and districts. I was able to discover in detail these unusual dwellings partly carved out of the limestone. It s a long walk, so wear comfy shoes. Matera is also well now for its cooking tradition, a classic example of Italian peasant cuisine, using free ingredients combined with a fair amount of labor and know-how to  turn an odd edible food into a delectable dish.
    Here my choices:
     ll Terrazzino  
    View, ambience, real food, rich menu, moderate prices and …did I mentioned the view? Welcome to Il Terrazzino, one of the oldest deck restaurant in Sassi Eustachio Persia welcomed me with a dish of local cold cuts, including my fav lampascioni, bulbs of a common wildflower in southern Italy, then I ordered lamb, and…surprise! iIt came wrapped in yellow strawpaper.
    ‘This place used to be a cantina, told me Eustachio, just wine, no food.So people used to cook it at home and take it here, all wrapped up in paper tto keep it warm, then tear the bag and eat it paired with a nice glass of wine.Then came the crapiata a soup of different legumes, cereals and potatoes typical of the Basilicata cuisine of rural tradition, prepared in great quantity every year on the first day of August in the district La Martella, close to the cultivated fields and served to the inhabitants. Eustachio took me downstairs, to the 17 century cellar, which incorporates the typical architecture of the Sassi and was refurbished to retrace moments of daily life of the peasant life, Baccus
    Simple yet elegant restaurant Located in the Sassi area, Baccus is well know for its Chef Carlo Pozzuoli who likes to reinterpretate typical local dishes and flavors of the past  in a modern way.     Starting with super crunchy chips of red peppers, followed by fagots of ziti with cream of yellow and red peppers, bundled in a slice of sweet scamorza cheese topped by goat ricotta curlS.     A soupy Dish with tagliolini pasta with black and white chickpeas, considered ideal fro pregnant women, since it contains a lot of iron.
    The menu dedicates an attentive search of local herbs, like the cicoriella, the sivone and other fresh leaves variously used in cooking: in salads, minestrone, simply boiled with oil and lemon, or as a filling of ravioli and pansotti or excellent omelettes.       Carlo and his wife Mariella were wonderful hosts. Not only keeping me company at the table but also surprising me with a taste of a sweet heart shaped Sporcamuso, (begrime the face) a dessert so full of cream that I inevitably ended up with hot pastry cream all over my face.  
    Da Mario
    ‘We represent the tradition. My family managed this restaurant since the 50’s’ told me Anna, owner of the popular Ristorante Pizzeria Da Mario ‘Since then we are always been loved by the people from Matera and from all over the world. Many celebrities have eaten here: Richard Gere, Mel Gibson just to mention few’                                              I went there for lunch and followed Anna’s suggestions, starting with a tasty orecchiette alle rape with anchovies and toasted breadcrumbs, then I tried home made strascinati pasta with cardoncelli mushrooms and garnished with the typical crunchy peperone crusco, fried red pepper. Da Mario is know for its pizza. I tried a baby Margherita, perfectly cooked. ‘I love my town, peaceful and quiet, I run the restaurant a cosy BnB called Sassi Belvedere although sometimes I need some noise… some that’s why I have a place in Milan, where I go , like an escape little vacation, but then I am happy to be back in my Lucania ( the ancient name of Basilicata) Sorry I still call it Lucania.. perhaps it’s because I like the old things…
    I don’t blame her..
    Where I stayed.
    Residence San Gennaro, located in the inner courtyard of the old “neighborhood”, once the fulcrum of the days of the inhabitants
    Super friendly host Francesco delighted me with anecdotes about the city, gave me tips took me to the prehistoric hypogeous cave below the residence, embellished with a precious Nativity and prepared a great breakfast that included fresh local products. I stayed in Guerricchio suite, that has a kitchenette, a delightful double bedroom, a private bathroom and a cute little balcony to enjoy the view on the enchanting Sassi of Matera. It is At the entrance an artistic work of great value welcomed me. “Girasoli di Guerricchio”, a Lucanian artist to whom the suite is dedicated. I also loved Casa Noha
    An amazing gateway” to the city, charting its history thanks to an innovative communication project, where the walls, the ceilings and the floors will take to an extraordinary journey through the history of Matera from its origins to the present day.
    MUSMA
    (Museum of Contemporary Sculpture Matera)
    This unique museum provides the perfect environment for the symbiosis of sculpture and the characteristic carved sites in the Sassi; the exhibition galleries, in fact, consist not only of the rooms of the Palazzo, but also the vast hypogea, where the works of art are revitalized by the strength and beauty of the surrounding rock hewn spaces             Posted in Food, travel | Tagged Baccus, Basilicata, Da Mario, Il Terrazino, Matera, Sassi | Leave a reply Edit
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    by Cesare Zucca     http://www.torrettas.com Three ‘Nobel’ days in Oslo Stay at the Grand Hotel
    3 HOTELS ROOF TOPS you don’t want to miss
    by Cesare Zucca   Discovering beautiful Poland POZNAN by Cesare Zucca INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL Phnom Penh
        
    BEST ‘KIDS FRIENDLY’ MUSEUMS IN NEW YORK
    Children’s Museum of The Arts     (103 Charlton St) invita all’arte, coinvolgendo i bambini in disinvolte classi di pittura, ceramica, scultura e musica.
    New York City Fire Museum (278 Spring St) organizza Safety Tour, una vera lezione sul fuoco con tanto di simulazione di incendio, dove un vigile newyorkese insegnerà le tecniche di salvataggio.
    Children’s Museum of Manhattan (212 West 83 St) è un immenso asilo stile Disneyland con cinque piani di attrazioni, giochi educativi, passatempi intelligenti e divertimento, daLet’s Dance, spazio interattivo dedicato ai bambini che amano ballare, a Art, Artists & You  dove i piccoli si improvvisavo artisti .
    Natural History Museum (CPW/79 St) ospita The Butterfly Conservatory, una foresta con più di 500 farfalle da tutto il mondo.
    You just don’t realize how lucky you were when your join the guided 3,30-hour food tour organized by VisitLLjubljana.com managed by the Tourism Office of Ljubljana until you experience it.           They offer numerous guided city tours  including the Historical City Centre and Ljubljana Castle revolving around history, art and landmarks, whether on foot, bicycle or on a boat cruising the river. There is no other way to sample the incredible diversity of Slovenian food in so little time and in such a fun and well-paced way.
    Slovenia is a small country yes, but it counts no less than 24 gastronomic regions. Ljubljana, reminding me of Paris in a way, is pretty much in the center of the country and, as a capital, has attracted many food vendors and restaurateurs to benefit from the largest concentration of population (and tourists) of the country. But, right off the bat, let me tell you that, at no point, do you feel shepherded to a pasture of touristic traps you would have found on your own. The choice is balanced between food shops and restaurants, clearly very carefully picked. Also, it isn’t a gorging party:
    at the end of the tour, you feel satiated, without ever feeling over full!. As all good cooking requests, things started with the sourcing of ingredients: the market!
    And Ljubljana is blessed, right in its center with a human sized, yet substantial farmer’s market, with one section dedicated to only certified organic vendors. I had noticed on my way to the tour some beautiful chanterelle mushrooms, as well as yellow broad beans that I had never encountered before. Lucky enough, I was able to find them again and was met with the most charming smile the seller could have shared. Then, we got to visit the permanent covered market, a beautiful building along the riverbank. That was like entering a world of its own. Gorgeous charcuterie, cheeses, breads (got a loaf of this dark and dense bread, yet moist and oh! so tasty). A separate section is dedicated to fish, perhaps for temperature and odor control. Whatever the reason might be, I was really impressed by the display of fish available and the absence actually of any strong fishy smell. Slovenia is known mainly as an inland country, but it does have a little bit of coast on the Adriatic Sea and they sure know how to source the best of what can come out of it. Everything looked so fresh, a real temptation for any cook.
    But carrying fish on ice for the rest of the tour was NOT going to happen!
        We met our lovely guide Simona in Ciril-Metodov, the cobblestoned main street. She took us at Klòbasarna, where we had the first tasting: a warm smoked sausage form the Carniola region just South of Austria, in other words at the Northern end of Slovenia. Made of the finest pieces of pork, this sausage neither greasy nor too dry, just hit the spot accompanied by a light red wine, a little horseradish and mustard which I loved.     Simona took us in more that 7 venues, specialized in different specialties, from the syrups and the honeys of Dobrote-Dolenjske,  to the traditional cake prekmurska gibanica homemade at
    Gujzina I won’t be going in the detail of all the things tasted, either in gastronomic shops or in restaurants… I want you to go and experience it for yourself. Besides beef tongue, fried chicken, honey (Slovenia is Europe’s largest producer per capita), my heart will go for this humble dish of mashed potatoes with sautéed onions and bits of bacon that we tasted at a very special restaurant, Druga Violina, where all the members of the staff suffer from some form of disability or another. It felt really good to contribute to this effort to support the community and, let’s be frank, it also tasted soooo good, just by itself. With influences coming from all neighboring countries (Italy, Austria, Hungry and Croatia), tucked between sea, plains, forests and mountains, the small country of Slovenia is rich of diversity and, if this three-hour tour cannot cover everything, it sure serves as the best introduction one can hope to taste in this timeframe!
    Tours priced at 52€ everything included,
    To make a reservation
    For more info www.visitLjubljana.com Posted in Food, travel | Tagged Food Tour, Ljubljana, prekmurska gibanica, Tourism Office of Ljubljana | Leave a reply Edit GRAND HOTEL TOPLICE, JULIJANA RESTAURANT IN BLED, SLOVENIA Posted on Slovenia. Bled, about an hour North of the capital Ljubljana to the North-West of Slovenia. Rather than the town it is the beautiful lake that gives the name Bled, famous among the European elite as early as the 1930’s with the construction of a luxurious hotel providing  natural hot spring source knowned for health benefits.I am talking of the Grand Hotel Toplice, a venue that boasts a rich history, a magical location, gorgeous alpine and lake views and sumptuously comfortable, elegantly styled rooms.   Each of the rooms and suites at Grand Hotel Toplice has its own unique character and are traditionally styled with beautiful parquet floors, rich furniture and beautiful paintings with many of the rooms benefiting from breathtakingly beautiful lake views. The hotel has been recently renovated and restored to its former glory and is one of the best hotels in Slovenia as well as being a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.           It has hosted many eminent guests and is frequented by celebrities such as  Vivian Leigh, Arthur Miller, Pablo Neruda, King Hussein of Jordan, Paul McCartney and…me, with my best friend-chef-writer Philip Sinsheimer, graciously hosted by Sava hotel and resort group that manage the venue. Starting from the impeccable reception. the hotel boasts luxurious accommodation, few restaurant, a bar  and the enchantment of Lake Bled. All rooms and suites are individually decorated in an enchanting and traditional style, lavishly equipped with an excellent range of facilities, a relaxing thermal swimming pool and benefit from different saunas, wellness services and a solarium among a private lido, where Philip (expert swimmer) dived in the limpid lake water while me (lazy man…) was indulging in a relaxing sunbathing. We dedicated the morning ( when the light is best) to row to the island where the minuscule baroque chapel.I was anxious to hear the bells rings, because  I knew about the legend wich narrates that around the year 1500, the leaseholder of Lake Bled at the time, Hartman Kreigh, disappeared. People said he was killed. Sad for the events, the Lady of the Castle collected all of her precious golden jewellery to be melted down and casted into a bell for the chapel on the island of the Lake, so that the bell would toll in remembrance of  beloved companion. They say the bell has a magic power, when it rings, you should make 3 wishes and wait for them to become real.  We did 99 steps and finally we arrived at the church, where the view is really breathtaking and, yes, we waited for the bell… Not sure my wishes are becoming a reality, we ll see…. A true wish coming true was the  splendid dinner we were invited for dinner at Julijana Restaurant where Chef Bertoncelj prepared a great dinner.
    I leave Philip the privilege of writing about it, since he is a chef and a food blogger.                                   GRANDE CUISINE BY THE LAKE
    This historic landmark now called the Grand Hotel Toplice, operated by the Sava hotel and resort group, has managed to preserve the relics of the past with grand salons adorned with memorabilia pictures and bring all the comfort of modernity at the same time.This delicate balance between past was brilliantly reflected in the cuisine of the executive chef Simon Bertoncelj and the whole crew under him. Having dinner at the gastronomic Julijana Restaurant, especially if the weather allows to eat al fresco facing the lake is a moment of bliss: the quality of service, attention to detail and classic decor evoke a certain respect of classical elegance. This doesn’t constrain the cuisine to old classics, and the chef’s creativity and modern techniques seem to find their place very naturally in this elegant environment. The mise en bouche consisting of a delicately baked oyster and a buttery giant shrimp had all the signs of what you can expect in a palace restaurant: prime quality ingredients simply treated. This seafood opening was in synch with the view of the water even though it wasn’t the sea. As I were to learn later by the chef, unfortunately, as beautiful as it is, the lake doesn’t often yield the quantity of fish needed to take place on the menu.   The mushroom cappuccino with porcini had the depth of flavor one can only get in top notch restaurants, served piping hot but adorned with the freshness of a few micro greens scattered on top rather than the old habit of a dollop of cream and a few chives. Fresh too was the vitello tonnato inspired salad, bright and lively. Here, as in all the great restaurants experienced in Slovenia, the wine list paid homage to the country’s fine wines, such as the 2017Verus Chardonnay from Stajerska, the western part of the Podravje region in the North of the country. At last a chardonnay that can showcase both concentration of flavors and freshness in the palate with a mere 13° alcohol content.The shining fish course was a thick and moist turbot filet, perfectly cooked and adorned by a beautiful composition of vegetables and foamy grapefruit sauce. Here again: classic base and modern composition. Though generous, nothing was heavy, and the beautiful matured saddle of veal served pink with a herb crust was still welcome. To finish, the iconic Bled Cream Cake, which recipe goes back to 1953 and is secretly kept by the Sava hotels group. The result was up to the legend. Even though I really do not have much of a sweet tooth, and I have had my share of mille-feuilles in France, this raised version of the classic with just two layers of perfectly crisp puffed pastry holding a firm custard covered by a layer of lighter whipped cream is to die for… Chef Simon Bertoncelj, who has worked under the commands of Gordon Ramsey, seems rather poised and discreet, but if you really want to find out, he opens his kitchen to a guest table of 2 to 6 people for a 7-course menu cooked and served, right before their eyes…and ears! For more info
    Julijana Restaurant
    Grand Hotel Toplice
    Cesta svobode 12, 4260 Bled, Slovenia
    +386 4 579 10 00 Contact Cesta svobode 12, 4260 Bled, Slovenija Reception +386 4 579 10 00 ghtoplice@hotelibled.com Reservations +386 4 579 16 00 info@hotelibled.com   Posted in Food, travel | Tagged Bed, chef Simon Bertoncelj, Grand Hotel Toplice, Juljiana Restaurant, Slovenia | Leave a reply Edit Hotel Hellsten, Stockholm. Memories of an exotic journey Posted on Hotel Hellsten is located in the heart of Stockholm and is the ideal starting point for all those who are visiting the City, since the attractions and sites of interest are reachable by public transport within easy reach including the subway that is just round the corner.
    The next street is the busy Sveavägen, Stockholm”s only real boulevard. The hotel is just around the corner from the underground (metro) stop Rådmansgatan. The locality is one of the most exciting in Stockholm, with a multitude of different restaurants within a few minutes walking distance. It is also a short walk from Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s historic and beautiful old town. I loved the area, and the next busy street Sveavägen, so alive and full of restaurants, shops and…barbers & haidressers,don’t ask me why, but very useful… The rooms are divided into various types depending on the services they offer, mostly in different styles, some have canopy bed, some are equipped with the classic Swedish fireplace called kakelugnar, light rays, wooden panels, even a private sauna,       The walls are painted with warm colors that span from orange to red, to blue, to purple.     All rooms have private new bathrooms, TV, telephone, free wired internet access and a hairdryer. They are non-smoking as well as the entire structure.   My room had a cosy little terrace. Here and there I found exotic touches, my guide explained that Mr.Hellsten, owner of Hellsten, Rex and the newest Hellsten Glashus, is an enthusiastic traveller who likes to collect items from his trips. I loved the african masks !       You have a colonial-style bar where coffee and tea are served 24 hours for free. Great idea! Every Thursday Hellsten Earth Bar transforms into one of Stockholm’s premier jazz venues. Exciting live acts on stage at 8pm and on the last Thursday of each month you are welcome to jam with the band, just bring your instruments or vocals, and the entrance is free.. Comfy beds and an excellent breakfast buffet that included pancakes, cold cuts, cheeses, eggs, lots of fruits and the traditional Swedish meatballs and served in a sunny and spacious veranda.
    Add Hotel Hellsten on your next trip to Stockholm!
    For more info
    http://hellsten.se/en/Hotel_Hellsten   Posted in travel | Tagged Hotel Hellsten, Stockholm | Leave a reply Edit Industrial or design? A posh stay in Hamburg Posted on In my last trip to Hamburg I got the chance to visit and stay in Hotel Gastwerk and The George, two great properties owned by Fortune Hotels Group.
    They have different style and decor, both friendly, welcoming and worth to spend one (or few) nights there.Let’s start with the industrial red bricks Gastwerk. The name says it all, It was a squared and rigorous red bricks gas factory. Roughly 120 years ago, the old gas plant provided light to the streets and houses in West Hamburg. In the impressive and carefully restored industrial building, built with brick and steel, modern design and historical architecture form a fascinating harmonic setting. Gastwerk is first Hamburg’s design hotel. The building welcomed me with a large hall with a wide, meticulously well lighted reception and two unforgettable metal elevators, one red and one yellow lighted.                                                 The industrial adventure was already starting…             141 rooms, lofts and suites, some with modern walls with a contemporary feeling, some with bricks walls (I love them), like the loft-like one where I was staying, giving the perfect atmosphere of and warehouse. In addition to that Gastwerk boasts a configurable conference area, the Mangold restaurant (I didn’t dine there, so no idea of the food) the L.BAR, the beautiful SPA, free parking spaces in front of the hotel and underground.   Here and there you’ll discover classy touches of fresh flowers, old  black and white pictures, original gas machines, and a splendid old water boiler.               The second Fortune Hotel is The George, located in the hearth of the vibrant Saint George area.                                                        This venue is a triumphant tribute to the apotheosis of a ‘boutique hotel’ concept, where design meets furniture, lighting and that smell of trendyness…               This reinterpretation of English style in Hamburg results in rooms swathed in warm colors ranging from cocoa to Champagne, lamps with delightful pleated shades and stylish wallpaper in a variety of designs.                             Super comfy mattresses, a nice view of the Lake Alster, not to mention that sweet & cute ‘Welcome Cesare’… The George Hotel is a four-pearl property flush with a Great-Britain-in-the-’60s design, with 125 stylish rooms that all have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free weight, a party-vibe bar, the supercool rooftop Campari Lounge in the terrace with a spectacular view of the Alster, a defined breakfast buffet that included a fine selection of cold cuts, imported cheeses, fruits and vegetables, and…   Yes! there is Da Caio, italian restaurant (where I could not resist peeping at the menu, which I found correct in dishes choices and…right spelling, which is always a good sign for an Italian eating in an Italian restaurant abroad… Here info
    Hotel Gastwerk
    The George,
    Fortune Hotels Group. Posted in travel | Tagged Da Caio, Fortune Hotels Group, Gastwerk Hotel, Hamburg, The George Hotel | Leave a reply Edit Two memorable days in Pula Posted on Great history, mild climate, smooth sea, unspoiled nature, dream beaches, friendly locals, smiling people, amazing food and…best teeth on hearth!                                                                                               Welcome to Croatia! I spent only two days in Pula, but, believe me , I ‘ll go back!. Pula is the largest town on the Istrian peninsula and offers a diversity of attractions to lovers of culture. The rich itinerary of its three thousand year old history, where every step you take through the Old Town is a landmark, begins and ends with the Roman amphitheatre. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism.
    The Arena. Pula’s amphitheater was built around the end of the first century before Christ. It was August with a very hot weather. That s why my lovely guide Rossana met me there early in the morning , immediately after they open the gate. I suggest you to do the same. Rossana told me a quite cute legend about a raw linen made tent (they called it velarium) that used to be opened up to protect from the sun and give some shade to the audience while watching the show, or function as a bug umbrella in case of rain. Actually the morning is he best time to come to the arena  as well the sunset time. Often the Arena hosts operas, concerts and performances. The acoustic is amazing: Tenors Giorgio Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Beniamino Gigli said the this place was one of the most suitable for their voice and for the public. In the Arena have been performing great music legends such as Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Sting, Simply Red, Robert Plant, Status Quo, Massive Attack, just to mention few. Every summer, Pula host a superb Film Festival in the Arena,
    Celebrity town. Pula was also the residence of many Italian celebrities, from Italian singer Sergio Endrigo, to Italian actress Alida Valli who was celebrated as one of the most beautiful woman in the he world. Pula girls!
    The legacy of Alida Valli keeps the tradition. Beauty, charme, and those beautiful legs, so famous all over the world, make the local girls  into dreamgirls ! Writer James Joyce
    choose Pula as his residency for several years. After a full day of historical sightseeing you will find many coffee shops on the street Forum including Café Uliks is a must for any fans of James Joyce, the Irish author who worked in Pula as a teacher in the early 20th century. Wines and food Wines top quality wines including Malvasia (one of my favorites) the most famous Istrian wines produced from indigenous white grapes. and Teran, a  rich red wine, intensely purple colored, able to compet with the Italian ones but less expensive. A big time specialty is the  zgvacet ragout. It is a sauce of diced chunks of chicken meat. In Pula, just as in most towns of Istria, be sure to taste seafood specialties, of which dishes rospi (monkfish), sea bass or delicious buzara Kvarner scampi only a small number of delicacies on offer. In Pula you should try and shells, thanks to the clear waters are a special flavor mussels, scallops or kanaštrele excellent fish stew, and definitely should try the black risotto with cuttlefish. Lovers of oily fish to taste anchovies to savor. This dish is eaten cold and fried sardines topped with sauce, oil, onion, vinegar and spices.In Pula you should try and maneštras traditional thick soup whose main ingredients are potatoes and beans with added mixture of bacon and garlic.
    Truffles!
    Many Pula’s restaurants carry the highlight of gastronomy: the white truffles. Try them with fusi or gnocchi with truffles or shaved over meat or cheese. But the real combo, the Romeo and Juliet of the choiche should be truffles and eggs! Bars, shops, market and flea markets Have fun, look around, bargain!
    Smile! Dental tourism, is hot in Croatia, organized groups come here and put their teeth in place  with low-budget, cheaper prices, excellent quality, good materials and expert dentist. How to contact them who contact them? Or you can see on the websites or call the local tourist agency that will give you advice on the best places or to be so lucky to have a  friend who has already been here already. Do not!
     Croatia has its own currency: the kuna.
    Don’t change your money in the street, you may get useless Balcanian or Bulgarian money…
    Go into a bank and change there! Where to stay I stayed at Amfiteatar Hotel, located in the heart of the Pula city, hotel Amphitheater is at a 2 minutes walking distance to the Arena and 5 minutes walking distance to the city cathedral, with the harbor also in the close vicinity. Beach and the airport are only 10 minutes away by car. Very close to the arena and within a short walking distance to all the other attractions in the  old town. I had dinner in the outdoor restaurant, Owner Chef and culinary star Deniz Zembo prepared delicious local dishes with a twist. I loved the grilled octopuss and  delicious cake. I would like to thank the lovely ladies Viviana Vukelic and Adriana Bajic from Ente Nazionale Croato per il Turismo in Milan and the super cool Goran from the Tourism Office in Pula, Chef Deniz Zembo and my amazing guide Rossana. They truly contributed to make my Pula’s visit memorable, fun and wonderful. For more info
    ENTE NAZIONALE CROATO PER IL TURISMO
    https://croatia.hr/en-GB TOURISM OFFICE PULA http://www.pulainfo.hr/     Hacienda Chichen: discover the most revered Mayan site the smart way! Chichen Itza, located inland of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 200 km East of Cancun, is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico with over 2.6 million tourists in 2017.
    Do the math…                                                   .That’s on average over 7000 visitors a day. Even though the site is not limited to the iconic Kukulcàn pyramid (photo 1) and covers a very large area (over 300 hectares), that is a lot of human flesh roaming around! Especialy when one considers that the most popular way to visit the Unesco world heritage site is via tour operators organizing day trips from Cancun or Merida, creating a huge influx of fully loaded buses arriving around 11 AM or so every day. Arriving with the sun at its hottest among hordes of tourists had always been a deterring idea to me. I had sacrificed the visit of wholly site during my passed 3 visits of Yucatan, favoring the ruins of Tulum and Cuba, less crowded and still awesome examples of the might and splendor of the Mayan civilization. For this fourth visit this last spring, I was determined to visit the legendary Chichen Itza in the best way possible. Staying overnight at the Hacienda Chichen revealed to be the smartest answer possible. Smart because by staying overnight in this historic hotel located a few hundred feet from the archeological site enables to start exploring the grounds as early as 8 AM, before the arrival of the crowds. Smart, because the hotel combines genuine elegance and great service while respecting authenticity and ecological responsibility. Follow me, let me show you the way…When I arrived from Tulum around noon at the Chichen Itza bus terminal, I was left at the main entrance of the site in one of the largest parking lots I have ever seen: hundreds of buses still unloading their loads of tourists from every continent. The line to the ticket booth was long, the heat dreadful. Instead of joining the frenzy, I hopped in a cab and 10 minutes later, I was discovering the old-world charm of the Hacienda Chichen. The check in was a breeze and the welcoming cocktail made of pineapple and Chaya leaf juice refreshing as heaven (pic 3). I was later to learn that it had been freshly made from the organic garden of the property, providing a lot of the fruits, vegetables and herbs used by the kitchen   The front desk offered to arrange the purchase of my ticket to visit the site the next morning, without any surcharge, avoiding the hassle to wait in line. They also offered the possibility to have a legitimate private guide for the visit, but as usual, I declined in order to feel totally free and visit at my own pace. The afternoon was mine to relax and enjoy what the Hacienda had to offer. The 28 rooms set in a total of 12 cottages spread out on the lush grounds were originally built to host archeologists who helped excavate the site. Now they are opened to all offering soothing air conditioning, large bed, beautiful sheets, large bathrooms, fresh flowers and hammocks on the front porch for those eager to adopt the Mayan way to take a nap at the sound of singing birds       Another way to relax in a horizontal way is to indulge in one of the treatments at the Yaxkin spa. And that’s exactly what I did, with the 45-minute Pakal treatment, a Maya healing ritual focusing on the head and the upper body. The soul is also soothed by an initial prayer in Mayan language by my charming therapist. I loved the fact that the room was very large, not one of those cubicles where on feels locked up. The outside garden was present in the room with the use of various herbs and plants, including a refreshing aloe vera jelly applied on the face.Totally relaxed, I finished the afternoon by lingering by the superb swimming pool, large and square as I like them to do laps at length. .Recycled and chemical-free water added a guilt free sensation to the overall pleasure. Time went by and before I knew it was time to meet the general manager for a grand tour of the property, including the restored church where weddings can be organized, surrounded by the beautifully maintained vegetation).
    No wedding the evening of my stay, but I still felt like a very special person, enjoying an evening drink on the beautiful front patio at the sound of a traditional trio singing deep from the heart local ballads.
    For dinner, I ventured across the street to the humbler Villas Areological hotel (http://www.villasarqueologicas.com.mx/chichen-itza.html)
    that I wanted to check out for its restaurant serving a variety of traditional dishes from Yucatan. The best, by far, was the cream of Chaya soup and I appreciated the selection of Mexican wines. The night was young, but the day had been long, so I was eager to return to my beautiful room for a good night sleep. At 8:20 Am, I recuperated my ticket to visit the site and was guided to the private entrance specific to the Hacienda. I was alone when I crossed the gate and after a ten-minute walk, I was facing the beautiful Mayan pyramid with the company of a couple of iguanas, but not another human soul.      The morning air was cool, and the silence only broken by singing birds. All the merchants on the way were focused on unpacking their things, leaving me unburdened. Besides the famous pyramid, I loved walking through the gigantic ball game field practically alone As well as discovering the sacred cenote (sinkhole) and the perfectly aligned columns without the eye sore of groups of tourists ruining the geometry of the monuments.    After three hours of walking at my own pace, I went back to the Hacienda, walking against the growing flow of visitors and the solicitations of the souvenir vendors, they were in full swing mode, trying to sell their T-shirts and miniature statues probably made in China!
    The heat had risen and a last dip in the pool after a refreshing outdoor shower felt like pure bliss. At noon I was packed and ready to leave this magical place.                                       
    A short taxi ride took me to the small town of Piste where I tasted a delicious and original pozole de coco, lightly sweetened and perfectly chilled (pic 20), then hopped on a collective to reach Valladolid after 24 hours of total serenity, visiting the most famous Mayan site in the best way possible…
    the nontouristytourist way! Text and photos by Philip Sinsheimer   HACIENDA CHICHEN RESORT AND YAXKIN SPA http://www.haciendachichen.com Tel: +52 999 920 8407       Posted in travel | Tagged Chichen Itza, Mexico | Leave a reply Edit A ‘HYGGE’SUMMER IN COPENHAGEN Posted on In summer Copenhagen is an ideal destination: favorable weather, long and sunny days, smiling, polite and serene people. It seems that everyone here discovers the secret of happiness: hygge, a Danish word that invites you to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and live alone or with friends, at home or outside, special and happy moments.
    Find yourself singing on the beach around a bonfire, have a nice picnic at the park, attend an outdoor concert, participate in a street festival or take a bike ride … these and more are the little pleasures of life that feed the hygge spirit in the life of the Danes. To find out right away just do this test . The result is a real personalized treatment based on hygge, released with all the tips on how to get it on a trip to Denmark.
    Useful and precious, a true friend! I’m talking about the Copenhagen Card, a pass that allows you to visit as many as 86 museums and attractions, use all public transportation for free and benefit from discounts on tours, bars and restaurants.
    I also used it for a tour of the canals and the port. 1 hour, audiogude in all languages, a show of ancient and modern architecture, a sea of photos. passing the numerous bridges of the city. But pay attention to be seated: the bridges are very low and the risk to bump your head on it, it s quite possible.
     Tivoli
        The oldest playground in the world. You will skip over breathtaking roller coasters,you will be projected into space, you will remain suspended in the air more than a thousand other rides in the charming gardens where the oriental facade of beautiful
    Hotel Nimb stands out. After the aerial acrobatics, I finally relaxed in the Brasserie, famous Nimb restaurant,
    French cuisine, refined menu, excellent wine list, good service and relaxing atmosphere (apart from the crowded side room that celebrated a noisy birthday…) I tasted the Chef’s specialties, a delicate mollusk bisque served with scampi and carrots, a crunchy turbot à la meunière, sprinkled with lemon drops, ending with a puff pastry stuffed with strawberries and cream, all paired to my favorite Sancerre Domaine de La Garenne, deliciously fruity, In short, a dinner worthy of the unique atmosphere of the location.
    Copenhagen history boasts of royalties and magnificent castles,Here my favorites
    Amalienborg Palace, a must for anyone with a taste for royal history and the life of Denmark’s royal family who still resides inside the palace. Experience royal history at the museum and sense the present of one of the world’s oldest monarchies from the beautiful palace square where you can watch the changing of its famous guards called Den Kongelige Livgarde. Every day you can experience the changing of the guards, as they march from their barracks in 100 Gothersgade by Rosenborg Castle through the streets of Copenhagen and end up at Amalienborg, where the changing of the guard takes place at 12:00 noon.
    Christiansborg Palace famous for its hall covered with 17 giant tapestries, which tell 1000 years of Danish history, It is a gift from The Danish business community in occasion of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe 50th birthday,. Bjørn Nørgaard painted the full-size sketches upon which the tapestries were woven. These impressive royal rooms host the official receptions in the presence of the Queen, between a sparkle of uniforms and great evening gowns. Better to avoid arriving by car or taxi, the protocol prefers that the guests present themselves in a carriage…   As a food lover, I could not resist the temptation to descend into the legendary Royal Kitchens to discover the background of an official banquet, browse the Queen’s recipes and admire one of the largest collections of copper crockery in Europe.
        To be or not to be…
    I recommend a small excursion outside the city. Helsingør 30 minutes by train.
    The famous Castle of Kronborg, better known as Hamlet’s house, reigns there. In fact, here Shakespeare set his drama. Gossips say that the writer had never been there, but would have been an actor in his company to tell him about this mighty fortress, from whose park, littered with cannons, you can glimpse Sweden. Suddenly the walls resound with the voices of the characters of Hamlet, which appear, like ghosts, perfectly interpreted by talented actors who bring to life the tragic events of the drama, You could spend a whole day in Kronborg, and live many experiences, guided tours through the casemates and the halls, explore the passages and towers, see a play and relax admiring the sea – but if you prefer, you can get an idea Kronborg concrete even in just one hour. Kronborg is open all year round (except 1st January, 24th, 25th and 31st December) from 11am to 4pm. In the summer (June, July and August) the schedule is extended: from 10.30am to 5.30pm.
    After all that drama I needed a…great meal and I went to the renowned restaurant Brasserie 1861, where I met the Chef. His name is Casper Stuhr Sobczyk I can describe him as a gentle viking with the sweetest smile and… smoked sardines tattooed in his arm.
    They called him ‘the king of herbs ‘for his passion for vegetables and fresh products from the field. His passions are: fish, molluscs, entrails as lamb’s brain, (not so popular in the quite skeptic Northern Europe), He started with French cuisine, passed to the molecular and ended up with mixing them two styles. ‘I like to play with the ingredients, says Casper, like for example, pairing strawberries to balsamic vinegar. I worked in Danmark a lot, including the Copenhagen National Library. I got good reviews and I started my new adventure here at Marienlyst Hotel, In my my fridge at home, there is always place for eggs, probably because my wife loves them, lot of vegetables and of course several max sizei Pepsi. I Love Pepsi… ‘His friendly Verona born partner Fabio Ciccarelli started serving a surprising appetizer: a revolutionary version of the traditional blini, made with caviar white sturgeon, to be mixed to crème fraiche on herbal waffle. The ingredients just melt perfectly together.                                                                      Then a salted unusually cooked burned salmon, followed by a mackerel with foie gras, green peas. As a main dish , I tasted halibut with asparagus that burned for few minutes to maintain the crunchiness. Every dish was so intense, so fresh and so herbal.
    No wonder why Chef Sobczyk is the ‘king of herbs…
    ’In the summer, Denmark is a foodies paradise with its festivals and gastronomic events Do not miss the Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival from August 24th to September 2nd, during which Copenhagen becomes a huge Nordic restaurant and definitely stop at the new street food Reffen, an urban playground recently opened, that mixes crafts and culture. Reffen is a place where the people of Copenhagen are invited to take part in the development. 54 start-ups in the form of food stalls, bars and creative workshops many confirming the dogmas “Reduce and Reuse”.   Mermaid yes or no?
    The most celebrated mermaid statue of The Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen’s children’s story, sitting on a stone at Langelinie in the harbor of Copenhagen, Denmark. Honestly I saw her from the boat and I have to say that the invading ‘selfie addicted crowd’ didn’t appeal to me… So I went at night, and here she was, alone, shining on the dark, mysterious and looking like wanting to splash in the water any minute,
    That, I call a magic encounter with Miss Mermaid…for more info
    #visitdenmarkstories @govistdenmark. Posted in travel | Tagged Copenhagen | Leave a reply Edit Hamburg, Germany, Why go there and where to stay, what to eat Posted on I started my Hamburg experience with an avalanche of photos and selfies on board of the Stadtrundfahrt double-decker bus, providing earphones in all languages. In a couple of hours you’ll know the city, get off when you want, visit and get the next one. An indispensable tour, also in a mini-cruise version with Harbor Cruise You will enjoy the aquatic view of the city, of the immense port and of the colossal cargo ships with gigantic containers.
    Hamburg means bricks, red bricks, so my next stop was Speicherstadt.   Almost a kilometer of old warehouses with typical red bricks, used as storage for incoming goods: oriental carpets, tea, raw coffee, cocoa, tobacco, spices. Among the attractions: a kaffeerösterei, an old coffee roaster, where you can also enjoy decadent cakes with strawberries and cream.       Chocoversum,  a true chocolate triumph,
    Manufactum a trendy shop and the Spice Museum  where you will find and taste everything: European spices, Asian and Indian flavors, exotic perfumes, 50 varieties of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, mustard seeds and the most expensive ones: orchid vanilla and saffron.   Miniatur Wunderland Models of trains and landscapes in miniature? I was doubtful …well, I was amazed. Two huge floors where landscapes and cities of all the world have been meticulously reconstructed with airports, motorways, railways in great turmoil and crowded by a thousand minuscule people, including a team while washing Pope Francis car…       Travel and read.
    130 bookshops stocked with second hand books! Passengers are allowed not only to read them during their journey ,but also to take them home.   Elbphilharmonie
    Extraordinary glass structure, with windows that look like eyes. With its perfect acoustic, hosts concerts and shows. You get there with a spectacular 82 meter escalator that runs through The Plaza, from which you can enjoy a great view.
    Perfect location for a drink or a snack at the Beer & Dine and a little shopping in the well-stocked book, music and souvenir store. Tickets can be booked 18 weeks in advance and children up to three years do not pay.
    Hamburg and its museums. I chose two. Kunsthalle, 700 years of art, from the great masters of the Renaissance until 1800 with Manet, Caspar David Friedrich, up to the German expressionism (which I adore) and the contemporary avant-garde .
    MKG  Great museum with unusual exhibits: famous deco posters, precious vintage pianos, sketches and 30s dresses, a space dedicated to design furniture, photo galleries avant – garde and much more.
    It is true that the hamburger was born in Hamburg?
    The most famous meatball in the world is ‘made in the USA’ or ‘made in Hamburg’?
    The name would leave no doubt, but the Americans boast its paternity.
    The Germans claim that it was cooked in the houses of Hamburg and then it was exported to the USA, while for the Americans it would be born in the port of Hamburg, a municipality located in the state of New York and the inventors would have been the Menches brothers who in 1885 would propose the first sandwich stuffed with meat during the country festival Erie County Fair.
    Legends aside, here you will find space burgers. The best from Burger Lounge, Jim Block Jungfernstieg, Dulf’s Burger , Otto’s Burger Grindelhof and Schanze . WHERE TO STAY
    I tried two hotels, both experiences were great!

    Novotel Hamburg City Alster Hotel
    4-star hotel in the modern rooms and suites with a desk and free WIFI
    Central location and U-Bahn station on our doorstep make the Novotel Hamburg City Alster hotel the ideal base in Hamburg. 5-minutes away from Alster-Schwimmhalle and within 20 minutes of English Theatre Of Hamburg. Highlights at this hotel include in-room free WiFi, free high-speed Internet, and LCD TVs. All 210 soundproofed rooms feature sofa beds, satellite TV, and separate bathtubs and showers. You’ll find nice touches like soaking tubs and free toiletries to enhance your stay. Coffee/tea makers, free newspapers, and safes are also available. Enjoy the fitness centre, Turkish bath/hammam, and sauna. Business amenities include a meeting room and a business centre. Added amenities include free WiFi in public areas and laundry facilities. Each morning excellent buffet breakfast is served between 6:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Sights within a 20-minute walk of this 4-star Hamburg-Nord hotel include Museum of Arts and Crafts Hamburg and Mundsburg Center. Enjoy the comfort of the sauna and the video games area. Rooms are spacious and bright, Super comfy bed…I slept like a baby!
    Dining in is an option with room service, and minibars provide refreshments. I had a great lunch at the hotel stylish restaurant Novo2, and a nice chat with the executive Chef, who told me that his menu focuses on seasonal products and evergreen tasty meat. and suggested a juicy and tender La Maracho Rump Steak with sauteed vegetables  and … a silver swan (just for decoration…) Novo2 is an innovative combination of a bar lounge , that offers delicious seasonal dishes and light snacks are served from 6.30am to 9.30pm. A cool spot where where you can have a nice glass of wine, like i did!
    INFO     Luebecker Strasse 3 22087 HAMBURG Germany HafenCity. It is the new futuristic district of Hamburg, area of ​​creatives and artists,
    To get there they have specially built the metropolitan U4 line. in 3 stops from the center you have already arrived. Here you can breathe fresh air, the spaces are open and many Hamburgers get away from work to go for a drink or a snack.
      I stayed at the brand new 25 Hours HafenCity Hotel where I had a great time. I felt like a sailor, the rooms look like a ship’s cabins, with prosperous painted models on the bathroom walls.   Here atmosphere is easy and relaxed , The motto says  COME AS YOU ARE! There is also free access to a spectacular spa in stones and wood. In the morning a rich buffet breakfast is set up, there you can find everything, including rote gruetze, my beloved raspberry, blueberry and cherry sauce served on lean yogurt. Yummy!       What does a real Hamburger drink?
    Beer, of course! It has been produced in Hamburg for over a millennium and has become an icon of German culture. Here some popular ones.
    Ratsherrn, one of the city’s most famous artisan breweries From pilsner to light beers. Galopper des Jahres, popular and animated. The members of the staff are true fan of craft beer, so be sure to ask for their recommendations: they know what to suggest for every taste and palate. Blockbräu, a terrace with a wonderful view.
    My favorite? Altes Mädchen An incredible variety of excellent local and around 70 international beers, also combined with tasty German specialties.Remember, the real Hamburger does not drink Coca Cola! The preferred alternative is fritz-kola, rich in caffeine and lemon. It was born in 2002, invented almost for fun by young friends Lorenz and Mirco and produced with a really amateur process. Imagine: the labels were photocopies and they were glued by hand on the bottle …
    Today it is the national soft drink.     Red lights …
    night and day!     The St. Pauli district was once a bad area full of noisy pubs, frequented by criminals, sailors and prostitutes. Today the taverns have become artistic skyscrapers, like the Dancing Towers, which seem to really dance, while the smoky haunts of the past have become fashionable places. But the raunchy survived: sex shops, theaters, striptease, burlesque and the inevitable bouncers who invite you to enter. In addition to the ‘sensory’ attractions, the neighborhood is full of super-trendy shops, new boutiques, hip clubs and bars Keep walking around the St.Pauli district,
    head towards Markstrasse and the surroundings of KarolinenvIertel. There You will find small bars, self-managed restaurants, flowers, perfumes, mini boutiques and lots of vintage. If you are ‘bio’ dive into the Rider Markt Halle, and a relaxing drink from Zoe the bar of the different sofas. For more chic and exclusive products, head to Hole Bleichen.       Then it comes the time for…
    beauty and relaxation.     After a long walk, it is right to take a relaxing break in Jungfernstieg, in the heart of Hamburg with a fantastic view of the Alster river. Here Nivea Haus awaits for you, this is the official store of the famous face cream, born in Hamburg in 1929. Here you can find classic or brand new creams for face and body, cosmetics, revitalizing treatments, relaxing massages, as well as manicures and pedicures.   Plus a really cute souvenir: your ‘Nivea’. You ‘ll be photographed and in a second …you’re on the cover of the famous blue box. I couldn’t resist …     So, what do you think?
    Am I fine for a cream cover?           Posted in travel | Tagged Hamburg | Leave a reply Edit MATERA, Italy. The city, the Sassi and the best Lucanian dishes Posted on
    Matera is one of the oldest cities in the world. By day the sunlight enhances its white. At night, it looks like an immense nativity set up under the starry sky.
    Its quarter I Sassi, ancient dwellings dug into the tufo, where the roofs serve as a base for the houses that have developed on higher levels. These were dug entirely into the rock and represent one of the most striking examples of exploitation of natural resources to obtain suitable conditions for the life of a large community. In the caves often lived more families and despite the lack of space, almost all daily activities took place in the cavities of cave-houses: from handicrafts to weaving, from food storage to animal care (dogs, chicken, pigs, horses and donkeys were living with the family as primitive source of heating). The temperature was constant and guaranteed by the characteristics of the sea tufo , so the inhabitants did not suffer too much from the cold in winter and found a shelter from summer heat. This way of life for years has been seen as a sign of backwardness and incivility. The inhabitants of the Sassi were often considered as primitives living like animals. In 1952 Sassi was considered “the Italian national shame”and abandoned in the late ’50s, Sassi was able to be redeemed until they became Unesco World Heritage in and will be the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Its amazing scenario has been used s a set for Mel Gibson “The Passion” Pier Paolo Pasolini “The Gospel According to Matthew “King David”, Christ The Lord: Out of Egypt “, and the remake of “Ben-Hur “. I took the Gran Tour of Sassi,
    an intense 3 hours guided tour and I learn so much about the history of this amazing city. The tour begins in front of the Cathedral, in the upper part of the City, and then goes deeper into the tangle of narrow alleys, caves, cellars, churches, small gardens, tiny squares and districts. I was able to discover in detail these unusual dwellings partly carved out of the limestone. It s a long walk, so wear comfy shoes. Matera is also well now for its cooking tradition, a classic example of Italian peasant cuisine, using free ingredients combined with a fair amount of labor and know-how to  turn an odd edible food into a delectable dish.
    Here my choices:
     ll Terrazzino  
    View, ambience, real food, rich menu, moderate prices and …did I mentioned the view? Welcome to Il Terrazzino, one of the oldest deck restaurant in Sassi Eustachio Persia welcomed me with a dish of local cold cuts, including my fav lampascioni, bulbs of a common wildflower in southern Italy, then I ordered lamb, and…surprise! iIt came wrapped in yellow strawpaper.
    ‘This place used to be a cantina, told me Eustachio, just wine, no food.So people used to cook it at home and take it here, all wrapped up in paper tto keep it warm, then tear the bag and eat it paired with a nice glass of wine.Then came the crapiata a soup of different legumes, cereals and potatoes typical of the Basilicata cuisine of rural tradition, prepared in great quantity every year on the first day of August in the district La Martella, close to the cultivated fields and served to the inhabitants. Eustachio took me downstairs, to the 17 century cellar, which incorporates the typical architecture of the Sassi and was refurbished to retrace moments of daily life of the peasant life, Baccus
    Simple yet elegant restaurant Located in the Sassi area, Baccus is well know for its Chef Carlo Pozzuoli who likes to reinterpretate typical local dishes and flavors of the past  in a modern way.     Starting with super crunchy chips of red peppers, followed by fagots of ziti with cream of yellow and red peppers, bundled in a slice of sweet scamorza cheese topped by goat ricotta curlS.     A soupy Dish with tagliolini pasta with black and white chickpeas, considered ideal fro pregnant women, since it contains a lot of iron.
    The menu dedicates an attentive search of local herbs, like the cicoriella, the sivone and other fresh leaves variously used in cooking: in salads, minestrone, simply boiled with oil and lemon, or as a filling of ravioli and pansotti or excellent omelettes.       Carlo and his wife Mariella were wonderful hosts. Not only keeping me company at the table but also surprising me with a taste of a sweet heart shaped Sporcamuso, (begrime the face) a dessert so full of cream that I inevitably ended up with hot pastry cream all over my face.  
    Da Mario
    ‘We represent the tradition. My family managed this restaurant since the 50’s’ told me Anna, owner of the popular Ristorante Pizzeria Da Mario ‘Since then we are always been loved by the people from Matera and from all over the world. Many celebrities have eaten here: Richard Gere, Mel Gibson just to mention few’                                              I went there for lunch and followed Anna’s suggestions, starting with a tasty orecchiette alle rape with anchovies and toasted breadcrumbs, then I tried home made strascinati pasta with cardoncelli mushrooms and garnished with the typical crunchy peperone crusco, fried red pepper. Da Mario is know for its pizza. I tried a baby Margherita, perfectly cooked. ‘I love my town, peaceful and quiet, I run the restaurant a cosy BnB called Sassi Belvedere although sometimes I need some noise… some that’s why I have a place in Milan, where I go , like an escape little vacation, but then I am happy to be back in my Lucania ( the ancient name of Basilicata) Sorry I still call it Lucania.. perhaps it’s because I like the old things…
    I don’t blame her..
    Where I stayed.
    Residence San Gennaro, located in the inner courtyard of the old “neighborhood”, once the fulcrum of the days of the inhabitants
    Super friendly host Francesco delighted me with anecdotes about the city, gave me tips took me to the prehistoric hypogeous cave below the residence, embellished with a precious Nativity and prepared a great breakfast that included fresh local products. I stayed in Guerricchio suite, that has a kitchenette, a delightful double bedroom, a private bathroom and a cute little balcony to enjoy the view on the enchanting Sassi of Matera. It is At the entrance an artistic work of great value welcomed me. “Girasoli di Guerricchio”, a Lucanian artist to whom the suite is dedicated. I also loved Casa Noha
    An amazing gateway” to the city, charting its history thanks to an innovative communication project, where the walls, the ceilings and the floors will take to an extraordinary journey through the history of Matera from its origins to the present day.
    MUSMA
    (Museum of Contemporary Sculpture Matera)
    This unique museum provides the perfect environment for the symbiosis of sculpture and the characteristic carved sites in the Sassi; the exhibition galleries, in fact, consist not only of the rooms of the Palazzo, but also the vast hypogea, where the works of art are revitalized by the strength and beauty of the surrounding rock hewn spaces             Posted in Food, travel | Tagged Baccus, Basilicata, Da Mario, Il Terrazino, Matera, Sassi | Leave a reply Edit
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LUXURY HOTELS IN THE WORLD BY CESARE ZUCCA.

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On stage: FIORI D’ACCIAIO, (STEEL MAGNOLIAS) where women matter

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by Cesare Zucca –—

FIORI D’ACCIAIO (Steel Magnolias) is a feminine, not feminist, text. In fact, men do not emerge negatively from this concentrated chatter between women about themselves and about the need to start again from one’s courage in the face of life’s difficulties and also certain male shortcomings.In this italian staged version of the iconic movie” Steel Magnolias” the action takes place in Bracciano and becomes strongly Italian: the accent, the personalities, even the soundtrack, made up of many beautiful songs by italian artists of that era.
The sensitivity of the female soul and all its complications will also involve many men in a passionate and delicate story.

It s a story of resilience and inner strength that must be an inspiration for everyone. Female sensitivity is as beautiful as it has a lot to teach anyone.The flamboyant cast: Barbara De Rossi, Martina Colombari, Gabriella Silvestri, Alessandra Ferrara, Caterina Milicchio, Cristina Fondi
FIORI D’ACCIAIO , adapted by Francesco Bellomo and Michela Andreozzi.
On stage until April 14, at the Teatro Manzoni in Milan, To get tickets online, click here

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2022-2023 SUMMARY OF WINE ARTICLES

LJUBLJANA SLOVENIA, VINOTEKA MOVIA. IS ORANGE THE NEW WHITE? By Philip Sinsheimer

Let’s be honest, before I set foot at the beautiful Movia wine bar in Slovenia’s capital, I had never heard of “orange wines”. Have you? If not, the best thing is to do is go right now over there and ask for an orange wine tasting. For 18€, you will get a flight of 4 of them, beautifully presented and explained by the great staff, possibly Leonard, the charming and oh so enthusiastic young sommelier in the making..
I received a royal treatment from Borut, the manager of the wine bar, located on one of the most passing streets of Ljubljana’s center. It was 10 pm and all the tables outside were taken, so we started our tasting inside, historic looking bar with wood panels and huge counter. But, wherever we were, I know you’re burning to know what in the world are orange wines?
The short and simple answer is that they are NOT of course wines made out of fermented oranges! No, they are white wines with a dark and deep yellow hue, some leaning towards a true orange color. Why this color? Because of the way they are made. In short, white grapes are crushed and left to macerate and ferment leaving the juices in contact with the skins and pits. For how long? It depends, up to a year. The process is very natural in a way, often no yeast or other additives need to be added. Since when has this technique been done? Only 5000 years ago, approximately, especially in the Caucasus region and what now is Georgia (the country). But, it’s only 20 years or so ago that the process made a big come back

Here we are, Slovenia having been with Italy one of the wine countries at the forefront of this revival. So, if in doubt, you are in the right place and in good hands to discover the world of orange wines. Ok, how do they taste like? Imagine a light, pale, crisp, light pinot grigio from Veneto… well, it’s about the perfect opposite of that: mature, deep, with tannins reminding red wines (because of the skin contact) and complex. These are serious, bold, sipping white wines demanding to be served cold, but not chilled, definitely not the type of wine you serve in an ice bucket by the pool. To go with them, Vinoteka Movia also offers various plates of delicacies to round things up, including some gorgeous and perfectly sliced “pata negra”, the king of Spanish cured hams, but also local charcuterie, cheese and Italian mortadella, for example. Now, orange wines are not for everyone. Some may actually be turned off by their semi-oxidized aromas: instead of appreciating expressions of honey, tropical nut, cooked apple and hazelnut, they may think this wine has passed its age or has been left opened on the counter for too long, thus this wood varnish and linseed oil smell and flavor.


It’s alright, no panic… You are entitled to your taste, Borut won’t hate you or eat you up! He is prepared with about every type of wine you may like in the house. And yes, all of them Slovenian wines. Go for a flight of white wines, red wines or a mix of both with a tasting of various Movia wines, Movia being a very large producer located in Ceglo, on the western side of Slovenia, close to the order with Italy. Trust me, Slovenia is THE “under-discovered” wine country. The diversity of the terroirs and wine styles may be actually their obstacle to global recognition, because it is quite difficult to any non-Slovenian to decipher what’s written on a bottle: what refers to the area, what to the grape varietal, what to the producer?       
  With its fantastic staff, so attentive and knowledgeable, the quality of the pours (and of the gorgeous glasses used), I can tell you Vinoteka Movia is THE place to go for both newcomers to the world of orange wines and Slovenian wines in general, and aficionados who already know a thing or two on the matter, ready to be wowed and ask for more!

For more info Vinoteka Movia

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Welcome to the western part of the province of Asti, between the Tanaro river and the steep Moscato hills, characterized by a predominantly hilly landscape, enriched by historic villages including Moncalvo, Grazzano Badoglio, Montemagno, Vignale, many small pearls in a sea of hills and wine-growing landscapes which have become a UNESCO world heritage site, featuring places of art such as Palazzo Alfieri, the Risorgimento Museum, Palazzo Mazzetti.

In Castagnole Monferrato (Asti) in Piedmont, Italy, we discovered the Montalbera farm, a suggestive structure which, in addition to the production of excellent wines, offers a showroom for wine tastings, relaxation rooms, yoga sessions in the barrel room, swimming pool and jacuzzi overlooking the vineyards.

All around triumphs a true amphitheater of vineyards where many varieties of wines are born (Barbera d’Asti, Grignolino, Viognier, Monferrato Nebbiolo) and “last but not least” the Ruchè docg, a red produced from an indigenous vine, reborn thanks to the research of Franco Morando whose the most selected particles such as Ruché LACCENTO and Ruché LIMPRESA are processed 12 months of wood to obtain the Docg.i.

For three generations, the Morando family has been passionately dedicated to the fruit of their vineyards, animated by a production philosophy that puts wine at the center of everything, enhancing the peculiarities of the vineyards and enhancing their personality. It all started in the 1980s, when the family began (and continues) to acquire land in addition to the current 175 hectares.Thanks to them, the rebirth of Ruchè took place, a red produced from an indigenous vine of the same name typical of eight countries and other varieties (Barbera d’Asti, Grignolino, Viognier, Monferrato Nebbiolo)

Here is an extremely elegant, silky, warm wine on the palate, with a great balance that reflects the international taste of the modern taster and attentive to innovative pleasures, matured in steel tanks and subsequently bottled positioned horizontally at a controlled temperature, Ruchè is a wine with an unmistakable character with a bright garnet red colour, pleasant floral hints of rose and violet, fruity notes of apricot and the spiciness that emerges with evolution making it immediately recognizable in the glass

La Sponda Bresciana del Garda  can be a perfect weekend for those who love nature, history, art and good food. Lovers of food and wine tours and gourmet enthusiasts will find fantastic dishes both in the traditional menus and in the re-edition of centuries-old recipes. 70 km of coastline and 20 km of hinterland await you, where ancient traditions, stories of real life, unique products linked to companies that have been handed down recipes, advice and… exquisite dishes at the table for generations are concentrated.

The Sponda Bresciana halfway embraces the western profile of the great lake mirror, scattering it with landscape beauties, cultural heritage and food and wine excellences, which testify to the union between the products of the earth with the rich quantity of refined lake fish, including pike, whitefish and bleak, here traditionally eaten in brine..


The production of wine and oil is remarkable, one of the leading producers is Perla del Garda whose ambitious idea was to bring the vine back to the morainic hills of our farm. We find Trebbiano di Lugana or Turbiana, Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay and Incontro Manzoni as well as the white wine varieties. Rebo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon represent the types of our red grapes. The harvest is carried out exclusively by hand, selecting the bunches and placing them in small boxes which are quickly brought to the cellar.a.

vino e olio Perla del Garda, Lugana è il vino del Territorio e la Perla del Garda ha deciso di reinterpretarlo in tutte le sue tipologie,

It is no coincidence that the famous Michelin Guide chose Franciavorta to present all the starred restaurants in 2022, signing a profound sharing in terms of food and wine enhancement, and a sustainable environmental approach, crowned by Consorzio per la tutela del Franciacorta

On the green transition front, Franciacorta has been able to perfect a viticulture leader in sustainability, champion of an agriculture careful to minimize environmental impacts and improve functional biodiversity within the vineyard ecosystem.

Did we say ‘Franciacorta’? … In the heart of this eno-generous land, we find the Azienda Agricola Mirabella Franciacorta which since 1979 has been producing wines that are unique in character, typicality, naturalness and quality. Teresio Schiavi, heart and founder of Mirabella and his sons Alessandro and Alberto, have always been champions of sustainability, closeness to man and his well-being. Mirabella was among the first companies to embrace organic viticulture (Valoritalia certification) a concrete sign of civic and environmental sensitivity

The last jewel by Follador Prosecco dal 1769 is called FOSÉLIOS Millesimato Brut D.O.C.G. Brut D.O.C.G.

Vegan Friendly, fresh and pleasantly savory sparkling wine, decidedly fruity with clear notes of green apple and pear with delicious floral notes on the finish. The audience of young people has been thought of, to whom a further touch of originality is dedicated. in fact, the label offers a surprising luminous effect …. If exposed to LED light: the Follador logo and the name of the wine “light up” to help make the moment of the toast even more festive and engaging As a hymn to light, conviviality and youth, the term Fosélios merges the Greek noun Phos (“Light”) with Eliosche “God of the Sun”.

Cinque Terre, a a short piece of the Ligurian coastline, just West of the border with Tuscany.
Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are five multi-colored borghi (villages) overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. They are pretty close to each other, a few minutes distance by car or train. Better yet, a boat, weather permitting, will take you back and forth, making an unforgettable five stop mini cruise. If you like to hike, you can also reach them via a beautiful trail and enjoy spectacular sea views.


. White Wine Cinque Terre, the famous white wine of the area that requires mountaineering skills to be produced, given the steep slope on which the grapes grow. facing the sea .

Cantina Parco Nazionale Cinque Terre
Torta di riso di Monterosso

Sciacchetrà, it ‘s time to toast!
Imagine: a secret bottle kept in the cave for years (sometimes more than 30). It is the rich and velvety wine called sciacchetrà. This ancient treasure is resurrected on the occasion of a wedding as the greatest gift the groom’s family can offer to the bride’s family. I had the privilege of opening a bottle that was over 10 years old. Intense color, from golden to amber shades. The taste is a fruity and floral bouquet reminiscent of a Mediterranean garden: hints of dried fruit, apricot jam, nectarines, vanilla, chestnut honey and spices.

I piatti di pesce regnano sulle tavole delle Cinque Terre, qui siamo al Dau Cila a Riomaggiore

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For generations, the Ciociaria companies have been producing sheep and goat cheeses, grazing animals, farm animal rennet. Among the most delicious are Caciofiore, Pecorino di Picinisco, Conciato di San Vittore, the Marzolina slow food presidium. To accompany a “pecorinoso” dish, nothing better than a glass of the vigorous cabernet produced by Masseria Barone, in the heart of Ciociaria, both the gold Atina “Ricucc” and the Riserva “Marcon”, with their hand-painted label, are perfect companions. journey of Lazio dairy excellence.

I cabernet della Masseria Barone, datata 1800 e abitata dal celebre Barone Brancalasso. Quanta storia e quante tradizioni nell’enogastronomia ciociara…

Il Cabernet Sauvignon it has been cultivated, since 1860, on the sunny hills that frame the historic center of Atina. After careful harvesting and manual selection of the best grapes, an accurate vinification follows from which this elegant and powerful wine is obtained. A patient aging in French oak barrels allows the development of a complex and intense aroma. Brilliant red with intense garnet reflections. The taste shows sweet tannic notes in balance with a structured and persistent body.

Monferrato is a land made up of beautiful hills (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014), villages, castles and great wine traditions. Few kilometers away are the Turin-Milan (Chivasso east exit) and Turin-Piacenza (Asti east exit) motorways. Of course, to crown the weekend, it is essential to enjoy the gastronomic delicacies of Monferrato. Among the great classics of the Piedmontese tradition, not to be missed, given the favorable season, the tasting of the prized white Alba truffle accompanied by “noble” wines

In the scenic Vigna della Pieve in Cocconato, in addition to Stradivario, the grapes for Thou Bianc, surprising Piedmontese Chardonnay, Sauvignon Relais Bianc and Albarossa are produced. The Barolo Docg Bava and Langhe Nebbiolo are born from the Castiglione Falletto farmhouse in the Langhe, in the province of Cuneo, in the heart of the Scarrone cru. The Piedmont aromatic herbs have always been in the Bava tradition: in particular Malvasia, (Rosetta and Malvasia Rosé), Moscato d’Asti and Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato.

Among vineyards, suggestive villages, sanctuaries of ancient devotion and castles dating back to the 10th century, you will discover the Valtènesi famous for the beauty of the lake and hilly landscape and for the production of rosé wines, whose the characteristic grape variety and great heritage is Groppello. Doc Valtenesi is the wine, a modern and innovative expression of the Garda winemaking tradition, the sales of the first bottles of “Valtenesi” Chiaretto began on a truly romantic date: February 14, 2012, Valentine’s Day. In fact, it is easy to fall in love with this delicate but also seductive rosé …

Just as in the 19th century it happened to the Venetian senator Pompeo Molmenti who, in addition to being a historian and art critic, was also a capable winemaker and agronomist. Pompeo had married a noblewoman who owned a villa in Moniga surrounded by 15 hectares of land. there, among the vineyards overlooking the great lake, Pompeo began to try his hand at the production of Chiaretto, a delicate wine with spicy aromas, enchanting color, excellent balance. and intense fruity notes, excellent when accompanied by savory first courses, fish, meat and medium-aged cheeses.

Chiaretto is nicknamed “the wine of a night”; a name that derives from the personal vinification system put in place in an operation that takes place over the course of a single night, by each producer and which gives each individual Chiaretto a unique color, scent and fragrance.

Il Chiaretto Conti Thun

Il Consorzio Valtènesi Riviera del Garda Classico, promoted by the enterprising Jury Pagani, it protects the cultivation and production of this rich variety of red and white wines that blend harmoniously with a landscape of great charm, among hills, olive trees and lush Mediterranean vegetation.

The excellent combination of Chiaretto with dishes based on lake fish and extra virgin olive oil (all produced in the Garda area) and the intrinsic beauty of the hills of Lake Garda stimulates beautiful trips on the lake. It is no coincidence that “Italia in Rosa”, the largest Italian event dedicated to rosé wines is right here in the precious setting of the castle of Moniga del Garda. http://www.italiainrosa.it

HUA HIN THAILAND, GOOD WINE IN THE TROPICS???

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HUA HIN HILLS VINEYARD PROVES IT’S NOT A JOKE…AND WORTH A VISIT!
by Philip Sinsheimer
Photo: Cesare Zucca, Philip Sinsheimer

It’s harvest season and 2017 appears as a challenging vintage in Europe (“a catastrophy” in Italy according to our host Cesare Zucca). Climate has always been a nail-biting stress factor in wine production and the recent warming observations are not helping… Well, not helping everybody! If some predict the growing production of wines in small Northern players such as the UK, Southern European big producers are feeling the heat and are worried. Wine geography has seen many changes with the emergence of “New World” wines of North America, as well as Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa in the Southern hemisphere. But wines of decent quality in tropical countries had never come to my attention… Until the discovery of Mansoon Valley wines in Thailand! During our one month trip in Southeast Asia at the beginning of the year, I had conditioned myself to limited opportunity of interesting wine discoveries. I was ready to enjoy the beers of the various countries visited and an occasional bottle of rather generic imported wine. But, our initial stay in Bangkok at the Centara Grand Central World already gave us a taste of how serious the wine lists were at its various restaurants.
When we visited their sister property Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin , around 3 hours South of Bangkok in the historic royal beach town of Hua Hin.                The Centara Hua Hin  is a magnificent venue designed to evoke the spirit of the 1920s. Colonial influences meet modern-day comforts and soothing views are to be had of the swimming pools or the magic gardens, populated by grass elephants and other animals.

The hotel opened at a time when the new railway line to Malaysia was transforming the sleepy fishing village of Hua Hin into Thailand’s first beach resort.

Sensitively extended and renovated, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin retains its air of that bygone age of elegance. I had an even greater surprise during our meal at the elegant, yet relaxed Suan Bua restaurant: a local white wine was offered to go along the traditional Thaï dishes, from shrimp with mango salad to roasted duck in red curry.

            I have  to say I was skeptical, but all preconceptions disappeared after a few sips of this Mansoon Valley colombard, both crisp and delicate, with exotic fruit and citrus aromas, along with floral notes. Wow! Perfect pairing with the lemongrass used in the dishes and perfectly cooling to counterbalance the heat of the chilies.I was very curious about it all and the adorable staff of the hotel arranged a visit to the vineyard located less than an hour away. The drive was a beautiful occasion to see a bit of the country side with many fields, mainly pineapple plantations. What a surprise to see in the background of one of the most iconic tropical fruit a well manicured vineyard of over 100 hectars. The surprise does not stop there, as I had the opportunity to tour the property on the back of an elephant (if you’ve never done this, just be prepared, it’s a beautiful, but rather rocky ride). The large and elegant tasting room dominates the valley and one can appreciate the key position of the vineyard that benefits from a cooler micro climate with breezes coming from the hills. This is essential to the production of wines that do not taste “cooked”. It’s also the occasion of learning about who is behind this incredible business operation: a man whose name you may not know, but whose fortunate was made by a beverage you definitely have heard about. No, not wine… Red Bull! Chalerm Yoovidhya is among the richest man in Thailand with a fortune approaching 10 billion US dollars according to Forbes this year. Upon returning from his studies abroad where his taste for wine was developed, Chalerm took up the challenge of growing grapes in his native Thailand and show the world that great wines can be crafted even at the 13th latitude of the northern hemisphere. New World wines are old, new latitude wines are in! Hua Hin Vineyards is actually one of three vineyards he owns, but it serves as the flagship of the Mansoon Valley brand. The winemaker is German born Kathrin Puff, who worked in several wineries in Italy and New Zealand before meeting this tropical challenge with brio. I had the chance to sample a few of the large collection of wines available at the vineyard and all showcased a serious winemaking expertise. A brut blanc de blancs, showacses the delicate a floral notes of chenin blanc, colombard and viognier grapes that compose this traditional champenoise method sparkling. Besides the colombard white, I tried the medium sweet chenin blanc, which was not cloying at all and promised a nice pairing with spicy meats dishes and seafood salads. Among the two high-end “Cuvée de Siam” bottles, made with the best grapes of chosen parcels, I was really impressed with the red, made with the oldest vines of shiraz and sangiovese, aged in French oak barrels and bottled unfiltered. The result: a spicy wine combining medium tanin and long finish (which earned 84 points by Robert Parker). The white was a serious wine, but lacked a bit of the freshness so pleasant in the other more simple whites. To finish on a sweet note, the chenin blanc late harvest with a nice balancing acidity invites to be enjoyed along with seared foie gras, aged gorgonzola or a more local mango, sticky rice and coconut dessert.Good tropical wine is a possibility and Hua Hin is the place to go to check it for yourself!

A CLOSER LOOK AT ROMAGNA…UNIQUE WINES WORTH THE TRIP

By Philip Sinsheimer
Photos by Philip Sinsheimer, Cesare Zucca


Today, the “vino-Phil” that I am will focus on the unsung grace of the wines of this region, overshadowed by Emilia, its twin sister to the West, which rolls on the fame of products as famous as Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico de Modena, Mortadella di Bologna and, for the wines, Lambrusco

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of it, as it seems to be exported pretty much everywhere. Quite an achievement for a rather peculiar red wine, both fizzy and often sweet. Clearly, not the best bottles are exported… I still need to sip a Lambrusco that I would actually want to drink.Regardless of quality, Lambrusco has acquired fame. But, can you tell me anything about wines from Romagna? Sorry? I can’t hear you… Well, my guess is: not so much. At least, that was my case before discovering this region with my own eyes and mouth! Before, I knew it only for the famous beach town of Rimini (birthplace of Federico Fellini and of beach umbrellas according to some, and the historic city of Ravenna, which served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire (from 402 to 476). But wines, no, “I was dry”, as we say in French, not a clue as to what to expect…
I didn’t have to wait long to be initiated. As soon as we arrived at the charming Fattoria Faggioli where we were offered a red wine which reflected perfectly the delicious home cooked pasta and the general atmosphere: no fuss, big heart, big flavor, frank and bold (photo). It was a Sangiovese which, I was told right away, was the most prized and celebrated red grape of Romagna. Everyone tends to associate the noble grape with Tuscany, the region immediately to the South, with its world-famous Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.

Even though Sangiovese has not reached those level of notoriety in Romagna, the region can definitely boast of a deeply rooted wine culture. After a few glasses, an old saying came up, revealing the generosity of the Romagnolo people and their love of wine. If a stranger knocks at the door of someone in Emilia, he is offered a glass of water, in Romagna… a glass of wine!. This sense of hospitality connected to wine culture was perfectly exemplified during our visit of the medieval town of Bertinoro. The symbol of this perched little city is its 13th century column with twelve metal rings, named the “column of hospitality” photo). Each ring was associated to one of the local noble families and when a traveler arrived into town and tied his horse to one of the rings, he would automatically become a guest of the family associated to it We didn’t arrive on horses, but were just as warmly welcomed at the beautiful visitor center with an in-depth presentation of the local wines. This was my first encounter with Romagna’s most celebrated white wine: l’Albana, unique to this region. The 2016 “I Croppi” from Celli winery (photo) revealed a white unlike any other. Golden in color, the wine had a serious body and boasted 14° of alcohol. One of the distinctive tastes I noticed was a lingering ripe apple flavor and it felt like it had some tannins. It is actually sometimes called the red wine made in white and it can pair meat dishes as well, if not better than seafood.


We tasted a local 100% Sangiovese, bold and rich with 14.5% alcohol, but my second thrill came with the second white wine we tasted: the 2016 San Pascasio, Romagna Pagadebit DOP from the Campodelsole winery. Unlike the Albana, this white had a vivacious acidity and a refreshing minerality. Aromas and flavors of exotic fruits and elderflower were delicious. I was wowed and seduced immediately. Pagadebit is made from the Bombino Bianco grape, which, unlike Albana, is not unique to Romagna. It can be found in central Italy all the way to Puglia, but it has definite terroir characteristics here in Romagna and must count for at least 85% of the grapes for the Pagadebit di Romagna DOC.
The name is a story in itself. “Paga-debit” – literally “pays your debt” in Italian – comes from the grape’s reputation for being high yielding and a reliable crop for vineyard owners to grow, assuring that each vintage would enable them to pay off their debts. But the latest report regarding the 2017 vintage is rather alarming and almost puts in question the validity of the promising name.
On the positive side, Albana seems to gain some appeal outside the borders of Romagna. On November 25th and 26th 2017, Bertinoro will host the first Albana Trophy to find the best expert of this wine in order to be its ambassador both nationally and internationally. I wish I could go, perhaps you can, I know you should! The little town will be having many events for the occasion. You just cannot miss having a meal at l’Osteria Cà de Bè with a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and fantastic food (still thinking about this rabbit…). The wine collection is also exceptional (photo du mec?) and I really liked the 2016 Albana “Neblina”, produced by Givana Madonia, which had a very pleasant acidity
After my initiation in Bertinoro, I was better armed to appreciate the following tastings of Romagnolo wines. The first one came soon after at the Cantina Poderi dal Nespoli (link? http://www.poderidalnespoli.com/en/), a winery established in 1929 about 16 miles to the South-West of Bertinoro, with a beautiful tasting room and a wide diversity of wines. There was of course various Sangiovese based reds and out of the lot, my favorite was the Prugneto, Romagna DOC, Sangiovese Superiore, made from 100 % Sangiovese grosso: a wine full of life with a bright ruby color, an intense bouquet of ripe red fruit which didn’t translate in the palate into anything jammy, allowing a certain freshness to shine through and soft tannins to carry notes of violet and plum. Yum!
But, once again, my focus was more on the whites. The Campodora, a 100% Albana showcased the typical golden yellow color of the grape and a rich smooth taste of stone fruit and acacia flowers. But what made it shine for me was this beautiful balance between ripeness and acidity. This freshness, I was told, was to be attributed to vines perched at a higher altitude and a careful picking of the grapes in the morning, before it got too hot. Their Pagadebit (blended with 15% of Sauvignon Blanc) was fresh and vivacious with a floral nose and a crisp finish. Besides those two established whites in Romagna, we had the chance to discover a third one, called Famoso, in reference to the name of the grape which it was made of exclusively. Ironically, this indigenous grape from Romagna has been rediscovered in the last ten years or so after a period of abandonment. Fame comes and goes I guess. And what a flamboyant come back this was in the glass with this 2016 vintage: totally charming white, light, with only 11.5° alcohol, but intense with its floral aromas, notes of tropical fruit, and a long, clean, lip smacking finish. Cesare and I fell in love with this rarity and decided to buy a few bottles to take home and share with others. In spite of its name, Famoso won’t be in the aisle of your supermarket anytime soon! Look for it at your specialty wine store, but better yet, plan a trip to Ravenna.
If you have the chance to go in the summer during the Festa Artusiana in Forlimpopoli, your will be able to discover the beautiful Casa Artusi  (where you can take traditional cooking classes, as well as learn about one of the legends of Italian cookery in the name of Pellegrino Artusi whose monumental La Scienza in Cucina e l’Arte di Mangiar Bene was first printed in 1891 with 700 regional recipes.                                                                                                                                                                   One stand had me taste an Albana Passito, sweet and intense, beautifully balanced with just enough acidity to make you want to have another sip. This final tasting note still lingers in my mind and the unique wines of Romagna will have me go back again, that is for sure.

Travel articles and hotels reviews by Philip Sinsheimer

LOS ANGELESscreen-shot-2016-09-28-at-09-51-05screen-shot-2016-09-28-at-09-52-13

CHICAGO
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LUANG PRABANG
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 screen-shot-2016-09-29-at-14-52-49 screen-shot-2016-09-29-at-14-52-56screen-shot-2016-09-29-at-14-53-11screen-shot-2016-09-29-at-14-53-17BUDAPEST                       BANGKOK                          CASCAIS

Thailand, Hua Hin Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas
by Phlilip Sinsheimer
Photo:Cesare Zucca

Thailand, Hua Hin Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas


by Phlilip Sinsheimer
Photo:Cesare Zucca

Thailand.
After a few days in Hua Hin city,
I checked in for 2 nights at the Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas about 30 minute drive south in a super quiet locality called Pranburi. Even though unlucky with unexpected rain, the stay was just fantastic.

The villas are super spacious, comfortable and private.
Didn’t use the private pool to cool off from the sun, but after a long relaxing hot bath in the outdoor tub.

The food was awsome: just loved the breakfast buffet with various both Thaï and Western treats. Not the widest variety ever, but no one should be frustrated and everything was top notch. Who needs 90 items if half of them are disappointing.The à la carte menu of the restaurant with ocean view had me have the best Thaï food so far: true flavors with excellent ingredient sourcing. Loved the local Pranburi squid, partially sun dried for a great flavor and texture.

Killing time inside the villa, reading, watching TV, catching up with email left no time to boredom. The staff just couldn’t be nicer and professional. Stepped out the resort to have a long walk along the ocean. The beach has been washed out on large portions, but discovered abot 7km South a beautiful beach. Just outside the resort I had my favorite foot massage ever at Mali massage for a mere 300 Bahts. In the village great moment on a terrace with a Leo Beer and snacks. Everyone in town seems relaxed and someone offered a free ride back to the hotel.
Loved that place.

Are you ready for a suggestive, magical, surprising weekend … in short, unforgettable and definitely ‘gourmet’… with the original ‘crepe’ recipe by Chef Jan Supply?

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by Cesare Zucca
During my trip abroad you decided to dedicate a stop to the beautiful Bruges, a Belgian town in the wonderful Flanders region. A destination that will give you history, art, culture and a succulent Flemish recipe.
Ready? Let’s go!
You will discover medieval towers, canals, villas and palaces, romantic corners surrounded by greenery and the picturesque views that Bruges offers to the visitor.
This city, thanks to its favorable position and the connection with the sea became since the Middle Ages. an important and enterprising commercial point and port center of north-western Europe. Many wealthy European traders moved to Bruges where the first stock exchange was born, whose activities took place on the square in front of the Van der Beurze family inn and whose handbags are still immortalized on the portal of the palace.

The golden century began for Bruges, led by the Dukes of Burgundy who expanded their residence here, transforming the city into a lively economic and cultural crossroads. Famous painters such as Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling, great Flemish primitive masters, found in Bruges the ideal place for their artistic activities.

The year 1482 marked the sad decline of the city, relations between merchants and Maximilian of Burgundy plummeted, as did the connections of Bruges with the sea. The court, foreign merchants, authorities and artists left the city, in short, the VIPs of the time all left, except … the swans that have always been present in Bruges, a symbol of freedom and still highly photographed protagonists ..

The great revival took place in 1892 when the extraordinary heritage of the city was rediscovered. Thanks to its intimate and mysterious beauty, Bruges began to be regarded as one of the most interesting tourist destinations in the world

How to get around Bruges
In Bruges it is wonderful to wander aimlessly in the winding streets to discover its medieval face and its most hidden corners, perhaps relying on a guide, on foot or by bicycle, or by rickshaw, a unique and ecological means of transport.The canals of Bruges are the arteries of the city. Do not miss a boat or boat tour along the canals, from which you can see the city from a different point of view and discover hidden corners and secret gardens. Boarding takes place at one of the five piers in the heart of the city and the tour takes about half an hour.The more adventurous can experience the thrill of a flight in one of the Bruges Ballooning balloons which organizes morning and evening tours in the skies above the city, the excursion lasts three hours, at least one in the air.

Are you romantic?
An evocative carriage ride awaits you where you will enjoy all the picturesque beauty of Bruges, through centuries-old squares and fabulous canal bridges, while the coachman will offer you expert explanations and will make a short stop at the famous (and unmissable) Begijnhof, a structure with white walls, once home to a commune of ‘beguines’, emancipated lay women who led a chaste and pure life in a true oasis of religious peace, characterized by the imposing internal courtyard, the trees with tangled roots and wonderful seasonal flowers. Not far away, Lake Minnewater awaits you, surrounded by a beautiful park and crossed by a suggestive bridge from 1720 that offers a spectacular view of the towers and pointed roofs of Bruges.

TO BE SEEN

Grote Markt or Market Square, was the commercial center of Bruges in medieval times and lively nest of the city, dominated by the Belfort, Civic Tower on which you can climb 83 steps to enjoy a breathtaking view. It is not possible to book, so expect a bit of a wait, but I assure you, it’s worth it

Burg beating heart of the city. For over 600 years, the square’s majestic architecture has also included the Landhuis, home of the Bruges Legion of Freedom. This square was the administrative and religious heart of Bruges and, although nothing remains of the two buildings, the beautiful historic buildings that surround it bear witness to this. First of all, the 14th-century Gothic Town Hall Stadhuis, one of the oldest in the Netherlands, with spiers, turrets and a beautifully decorated, window-studded facade.

Basilica of the Holy Blood of Bruges which, in a precious crystal bottle, houses a fragment of the fabric used by Joseph of Arimathea to dry the blood of Christ after the crucifixion.
Church of Our Lady, built in the Brabantine Gothic style between the 13th and 15th centuries, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk is a splendid example of the skill and expertise of local artisans.Inside you will find a real jewel, Michelangelo’s Madonna of Bruges , Carrara marble sculpture of extraordinary beauty It was purchased in 1506 by the Mouscron family, rich merchants of Bruges fabrics, to adorn the family tomb and is the only work of Michelangelo to have left Italy while the great artist was still in life.

Side by side are wonderful museums: the Gruuthuse, a sumptuous 15th-century palace inhabited by a merchant who collected the tax on “Gruut”, a mixture of herbs that was added to barley in the brewing process. The Museum, through 22 rooms, tells 500 years of Bruges history with collections ranging from tapestries to furniture, from objects in precious metals to ceramics, from weapons to musical instruments and the suggestive private chapel that overlooks the nave of the Church of Our Lady. Allowing nobles to attend religious services without being seen by the people.

Groening Museum rich collection of works of art from the 15th to the 20th century, mainly focused on the artists who lived and worked in Bruges. A magnificent collection of paintings by the so-called Flemish Primitives forms the core of the permanent exhibition and is one of the best collections of medieval art in Europe. In fact, the Museum boasts some masterpieces by Hans Memling, Gerard David and Jan Van Eyck, considered the initiator of the Flemish school and the famous portrait of his wife “Margareta, with a rather severe expression, it is rumored that in the house… she was the boss…

Flemish cuisine

Belgium, as we know, is famous for its ‘frites’ french fries often accompanied by ‘Mariniere’ or ‘au vin blanc’ mussels. Excellent street food, you can find them everywhere, in very generous portions, strictly fresh and cut on the same day, with a huge choice of sauces, from mayonnaise, the most traditional, to ketchup, tartare, or a thousand other unexpected versions.

The ‘frites’ are a true institution, so much so that the city honors them with a museum in the splendid Saalhalle palace, the Frietmuseum, tells the story of the potato, the ‘frites’ and sauces, all, of course, with a final tasting! Madame Adi, my kind guide, recommended Casa Patata, where I allowed myself a tasty break, really good!.

What to eat in Bruges
Flemish gastronomy is a successful mix of French and Belgian dishes. Among the seafood products stand out ‘gray’ prawns (crevettes gris), eels, moules-frites (mussels with fries, I recommend, keep an eye on the season) Among the meats: mixed boiled meat (hochebot), pork mijotè , carbonade (bovine), the famous Brussels sprout, white asparagus (in season), chocolate and more than 1000 types of beer!

Where I had dinner
Goesepitte43, alternative but not too much, innovative at the right point, the Belgian cuisine happily present and excellently reworked by chef Jan Supply who has renamed his ‘bistronomy’ place between bistro, brasserie and gastronomic restaurant. Meat, fish and poultry and great attention to vegetable side dishes that can be chosen by the customer. Many dishes are cooked with Mibrasa, a charcoal oven that enhances the natural aromas of the ingredients and releases a unique range of pure flavors.

Chef Jan Supply

I tasted the famous white asparagus ‘Spitsbroek’ feuilleté, tender and juicy served with a delicious mousseline sauce and I cannot fail to mention the amazing dessert, an apple crepe with a touch of vanilla ice cream …

Here the original “crêpe normande”. recipe

The apple tart is a pancake with apple slices called a “crêpe normande”. The recipe for 12 pancakes is:

4 eggs

200g of flour

60g of melted butterthe

0,5l milk

4 apples, peeled and thinly sliced (use a mandoline if you have one)

To caramelize : 200g Sugar + 200 butter

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Whisk all ingredients apart from the butter and apples with half the milk to combine, and then whisk in the rest of the milk to make a batter. Resist the temptation to use a blender as it will over-activate the gluten in the flour and stop the batter from running properly in the pan. Set aside for a while.

2 Very lightly cook the apple slices in a pan with a little butter, just to soften them. Set aside.

3 Heat the butter in a crêpe pan until foaming. Add a ladle of batter and spread out either by moving the pan or using a wooden spreader. Quickly add some apple slices in a nice pattern, and spread over a little more of the batter. Cook for few moments until browning, and then turn the pancake over in the pan to cook the other side. With crêpes Normande, this takes practice because the apples reduce the cohesively of the crêpe. If you can do a full flip, then this is a good skill to acquire. Don’t worry if you mess it up – hide the error with a fold.

4 Fold onto a plate once cooked and serve with ice cream or Chantilly cream.

INFO
Visit Flanders
Visit Bruges
#VisitBruges
#imagineBruges
Facebook: @VisitBruges
Twitter: @Visit_Bruges
Instagram: @visitbruges

NOTRE DAME ENCHANTS MILAN

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A new notable work brings back on stage the talented cast del BALLETTO DI MILANO Notre-Dame de Paris which, after the international successes of 2023, returns to important Italian stages including the TEATRO LIRICO GIORIO GABER DI MILANO, also the artistic residence of the Company, where it will be on stage on March 26th.
Signed by the French choreographer Stephen Delattre, the ballet is inspired by the famous novel by Victor Hugo which, in Paris in 1482, has as its protagonist Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell ringer of the Cathedral, hopelessly in love with the gypsy Esmeralda. Respectful of history, Delattre has created a dynamic, brilliant and pathos-filled choreography which finds exceptional interpreters in the dancers of the Milan Ballet. Mattia Imperatore proves himself to be an extraordinary artist by portraying a touching and highly emotional Quasimodo. He is contrasted by Alberto Viggiano’s tormented Claude Frollo. Alessandro Orlando is the charming captain Phoebus, while the charismatic Gioia Pierini is Esmeralda.
The score was created by Davidson Jaconello who was able to combine pieces by composers such as Ravel, Rossini, Verdi, Minkus and others with great musical competence.
Also of great impact are the scenographic video projections by René Zensen, in which the famous Parisian Cathedral dominates and the costumes created by Federico Veratti.

Teatro Lirico Giorgio Gaber – Milano

IVia Larga, 14, 20122 Milano
info@teatroliricogiorgiogaber.it

Tickets from 30 euros on sale at the Theater box office and online
www.teatroliricogiorgiogaber.it

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LUXURY HOTELS IN THE WORLD —- Visited, photographed, experimented, reviewed by Cesare Zucca

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AMADEUS LIVE! AN EXTRAORDINAIRE EVENT WITH EXTRAORDINAIRE MUSIC

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Don Giovanni, The Abduction from the Seraglio, The Marriage of Figaro, Piano Concertos K 482 and K 466, Requiem and The Magic Flute…Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is on the screen and on the stage for the upcoming performances of the The Milan Symphony Orchestra and its Symphonic Choir performing live the music from the iconic movie AMADEUS ,winner of 8 Academy Awards®  including best film, actor, director and adapted screenplay,

Amadeus tells the story of the Vienna court composer, Antonio Salieri, and the envy that consumes him when he discovers that divine musical gifts , which he had longed for all his life, were awarded to an obscene, vulgar and naughty young composer, Mozart. Salieri’s envy fuels his plot to destroy the man, while all the while he cannot tear himself away from the genius of his music.

The Big Orchestra and Choir will be directed by Ernest Van Tiel who conducted many orchestras such as the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the national orchestras of Lyon, Barcelona and the Milan Symphony Orchestra

With the Brussels Philharmonic he recorded the original soundtrack of the film “The Artist”, winner of five Oscars. As a specialist in live orchestra film concerts, he has conducted most of the major films such as Star Wars, Vertigo, Harry Potter and more…

A huge round of applause for the orchestra, an exceptional ensemble of 100 musicians and 40 choristers who follow the images in imperfect synchrony, setting the most important moments to music and capable of following the original voices of the tenors and sopranos remaining in the soundtrack. . I have to say that this series of “pop” concerts held by the Auditorium are undoubtedly one of the most interesting things that have ever been produced on an Italian stage.
Don’t miss next performances Saturday March 16 th at 4pm and Sunday March 17th at 4pm    https://sinfonicadimilano.org/
To buy tickets

Milan, the “Best 2024 Pastiera Napoletana” has a “regina”

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What’s a pastiera napoletana?
No Neapolitan Easter meal would be complete without a creamy cake on the table. It’s the pastiera , a superb tart with casing and upper strips of shortcrust pastrym the filling is made from wheat, ricotta, candied orange peel, sugar, natural flavourings.and mixed with ricotta, sugar, eggs, candied citrus and orange blossom essence for the filling. It is absolutely intoxicating…

This dessert has a curious history that includes mythological creatures and industrious nuns. This intricate Eater cake is made several days in advance and is a labor of love for any Neopolitan cook. So how did the Pastiera napoletana come to be? Read on for the history of this traditional treat. The legends story involves the nuns of the Convent of San Gregorio Armeno in Naples. A nun wanted to bake the cake, a symbol of the Resurrection, and to emphasize the eggs, a symbol of rebirth, and the orange scent, because the orange trees grew in the convent gardens.

This year, 16 pastiere where up to be proclamed the Best 2024 Regina Pastiera.
and here the winners:
At first place Pasticceria Elite  Vimercate ,
Chef: Giulia Ripamonti, At second place we find  Pasticceria Savarese, Bottega storica, Rome
Chefs: Irma Brizi e Federico Di BerardinoAt third place Pasticceria La Monica ,Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) 
Chef Francesco LastraCongrats to the winners !

Jean Paul Gaultier, Fashion Freak Show: il genio è servito !

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di Cesare Zucca

Eccentrico, scandalos, provocatorio, esuberante e divertente … in una parola “GENIALE” Fino al 24 Marzo 2024 In scena al Teatro Arcimboldi  di Milano , unica tappa italiana,  la straordinaria creazione di Jean Paul Gaultier In questa spettacolare produzione, attori, ballerini e artisti circensi salgono sul
palcoscenico per interpretare creature e personalità stravaganti, passionali,
talvolta esagerate, sgarbate, sexy e impertinenti.IVerretetrascinati in un’esplosiva combinazione di rivista, concerto pop. grandi sfilata di moda, notti sfrenate a Le Palace. Preparatevi a restare ipnotizzati da scenografie e luci in continuo movimento, da costumi e creazioni couture mai viste. Gaultier ci regala un suo “amarcord”di momenti lieti, tristi, insoliti della sua straordinaria carriera e della sua imprevedibile vita

Sfilano sul palco i ricordi della scuola, le persone che ha amato, dalla nonna al compagno, una valanga di celebrita che lo stilista ha vestito a cominciare dal famoso bustino di  Madonna e tante storie animate da guest star speciali,Rossy de Palma che  interpreta l’implacabile maestra a  Catherine Deneuve che presenta una sua sfilata di moda

Autore, regista e costumista, Jean Paul Gaultier guarda ai nostri tempi in modo
stravagante e tenero, e ci invita dietro le quinte del suo mondo fatto di eccessi,
poesia e magia sottolineate da una colonna sonora eccezionale che va da iconiche melodie come La vie en rose e I got you under my skin, alla disco music e al funk, dal pop al rock, dalla new wave e al punk.
Imperdibile!
Jean Paul Gaultier, Fashion Freak Show
Teatro Arcimboldi fino al 24 Marzo. 2024
Per acquistare i biglietti clicca qui

CESARE ZUCCA Travel, food & lifestyle.
Born in Milan, lives between New York, Milan and the rest of the world.
Cesare photographs and writes about cities, cultures, lifestyles and both
traditional and innovative gastronomic delights.
He meets and interviews top chefs from all over the world and to ‘steal ‘their
recipes.. All of them treasured in his bloa, with a “Non Touristy Tourist ” stvle

E.T. will fly again with… the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano

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Steven Spielberg‘s moving masterpiece awaits you at the Milan Auditorium, projected on the big screen in the original language (with Italian subtitles) with the soundtrack by Oscar winner John Williams performed live and in sync by the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano directed by Ernst Van Tiel
Experience live the unrivaled magic and fantasy of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the story of a little lost alien who befriends Elliott, a 10-year-old boy. He experiences all the magic and fun of their unforgettable adventures in a film that has captivated audiences around the world

Sunday February 25TH at 3,30 pm and  7,30 pm
to buy tickets https://www.vivaticket.com/it/ticket/e-t-l-extra-terrestre/224311

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“CIBOVAGARE ” : TRAVEL, FOOD AND HAPPINESS….

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Parte la prima edizione di Cibovagare, l’evento dei prodotti artigianali sostenibili che si terrà dal 16 al 18 marzo 2024 in una vecchia filanda, genius loci dell’artigianalità, trasformata nel polo fieristico Fiere di Santa Lucia di Piave (TV). che ogni anno propone ricette che sono il frutto di anni di sperimentazioni in cucina da parte di chef locali, cultori della carne di rana, come la “Rana imperiale”, al forno con guazzetto di pomodoro e polentina, o il risotto alla polpa di rana e i tortelli di rana conditi con burro e salvia,le deliziose brioche e mille altre specialità di Santa Lucia del Piave e dintorni ,

Tra le specialità del territorio ecco le deliziose brioche e i piatti con le rane

Cibovagare, sarà una kermesse che si svilupperà su tre giornate, con un calendario ricco di esperienze, talk e degustazioni per immergersi in una selezione dei migliori produttori italiani che hanno fatto dell’artigianalità e della sostenibilità, nel variegato mondo del food and drink, il loro credo.

“Ne abbiamo conosciuti tanti, cibovagando per l’Italia nei nostri tour gastronomici” commentano Francesca Palenzona, Amministratore Delegato di Idea Plus, la società organizzatrice, e Cristina Rombolà, coordinatrice del portale Cibovagare®.  “Ed è per rendere accessibile a tutti queste meraviglie, anche a chi non ha sempre la possibilità di viaggiare alla scoperta del più autentico Made in Italy, che abbiamo pensato di raccogliere in un unico momentum una selezione delle eccellenze e delle storie dei loro artefici.”.

Nobile l’obiettivo degli organizzatori: annullare le distanze tra chi produce, chi distribuisce e chi consuma, creando un incontro dal vivo fatto di assaggio, di ascolto di storie appassionanti e di cultura del mangiare e del cucinare bene e di qualità.
La manifestazione sarà arricchita da talk, che si susseguiranno nelle tre giornate e dalla visita agli espositori, attivi in tutta la filiera e provenienti da tante regioni italiane: dalle farine venete di Molino Rachello, main partner dell’evento e oggi alla sesta generazione, nate in un parco naturale sulle sponde del fiume Sile, 100% biologiche, italiane e tracciabili con il progetto Oasi, che coinvolge oltre 30 aziende nazionali; ai prosciutti di Langhirano dei Fratelli Pelizziari, azienda a conduzione familiare,

nata nel 1974 dal sogno di zio Enio di produrre prosciutto di ottima qualità; a Gelmini, azienda agricola della Val di Gresta, con la sua filiera di ortaggi coltivati in biologico, raccolti a mano e poi trasformati artigianalmente, con lo scopo di preservare la biodiversità del territorio e investire sulla sostenibilità economica e ambientale; Un’area food consentirà di prolungare la permanenza nella fiera: oltre agli assaggi e agli acquisti nel mercato degli artigiani del gusto, ci sarà la possibilità di mangiare in loco piatti e street food somministrati da alcuni espositori e ristoratori.

Per scoprire il programma e acquistare i biglietti in prevendita:
https://www.cibovagare.it/evento

CESARE ZUCCA Travel, food & lifestyle. Milanese di nascita, vive tra New York, Milano e il resto del mondo.  Cesare fotografa e racconta città, culture, stili di vita e delizie gastronomiche sia tradizionali che innovative. Incontra e intervista top chefs di tutto il mondo, ‘ruba’ le loro ricette e vi racconta tutto in stile ‘Turista non Turista

English version

CIBOVAGARE ” : TRAVEL, FOOD AND HAPPINESS....

The first edition of Cibovagare starts, the event of sustainable artisanal products which will be held from March 16th- 18th 2024 in an old spinning mill, genius loci of craftsmanship, transformed into the Fiere di Santa Lucia di Piave (TV) exhibition centre. which every year offers recipes that are the result of years of experiments in the kitchen by local chefs, lovers of frog meat, such as the “Imperial Frog”, baked with tomato stew and polenta, or the frog pulp risotto and the frog tortelli seasoned with butter and sage, the delicious brioche and a thousand other specialties of Santa Lucia del Piave and surrounding areas,

Cibovagare will be an event that will take place over three days, with a calendar full of experiences, talks and tastings to immerse yourself in a selection of the best Italian producers who have made craftsmanship and sustainability, in the varied world of food and drink, the I believe them.

“We have met many, food wandering around Italy on our gastronomic tours” comment Francesca Palenzona, CEO of Idea Plus, the organizing company, and Cristina Rombolà, coordinator of the Cibovagare® portal. “It is a matter to make these wonders accessible to everyone, even to those who do not always have the opportunity to travel to discover the most authentic Made in Italy, that we thought of collecting in a single moment a selection of the excellences and the stories of their creators. ”

The organizers ailms to eliminate the distances between those who produce, those who distribute and those who consume, creating a live meeting made up of tasting, listening to exciting stories and the culture of eating and cooking well and of quality.
The event will be enriched by talks, which will take place over the three days and by visits to exhibitors, active throughout the supply chain and coming from many Italian regions: from the Venetian flours of Molino Rachello, the main partner of the event and now in its sixth generation, born in a natural park on the banks of the Sile river, 100% organic, Italian and traceable with the Oasi project, which involves over 30 national companies; to the Langhirano hams of the Pelizziari Brothers, a family-run company, born in 1974


In Gelmini, a farm in Val di Gresta, with its supply chain of organically grown vegetables, harvested by hand and then handcrafted, with the aim of preserving the biodiversity of the area and investing in economic and environmental sustainability; A food area will allow you to extend your stay at the fair: in addition to tasting and purchasing in the artisans of taste market, there will be the possibility of eating dishes and street food on site provided by some exhibitors and restaurateurs.

To discover he program and buy tickets
https://www.cibovagare.it/evento

CESARE ZUCCA Travel, food & lifestyle.
Milanese by birth, Cesare lives between New York, Milan and the rest of the world. Cesare photographs and writes about cities, cultures, lifestyles.art, entertainment. He likes to discover both traditional and innovative gastronomic delights. Cesare meets and interview top chefs from all over the world, ‘steals’ their recipes in a ” non touristy tourist ” style 


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Alla scoperta dei vini del Monferrato Astigiano: l’azienda agricola Montalbera

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Text and Photos © Cesare Zucca —

(italian text followed by the english version)

Benvenuti nella parte occidentale della Provincia di Asti, tra il fiume Tanaro e le ripide colline del Moscato, caratterizzata da un paesaggio prevalentemente collinare, arricchito da borghi storici tra cui Moncalvo, Grazzano Badoglio, Montemagno, Vignale, tante piccole perle in un mare di colline e paesaggi vitivinicoli divenuti patrimonio dell’UNESCO. Scoprirete gli infernot, antichissime cantine sotterranee dove da secoli si mette il vino ad affinare, grazie alla temperatura costante e il grado di umidità, ideali per invecchiare e affinare spumanti e vini,Vi aspettano Palazzo Alfieri, il Museo del Risorgimento, il Castello medioevale, la suggestiva Torre di San Vittore a Montemagno e tanti borghi da scoprire, ognuno con le proprie delizie gastronomiche locali e vini eccellenti.

Torre di S,Guido a Montemagno

Pochi chilometri e siamo a Castagnole Monferrato, dove scopriamo l’azienda agricola Montalbera, una suggestiva struttura che, oltre alla produzione di vini doc, offre una showroom per degustazioni vini, sale relax, sessioni di yoga nella barricai, piscina con idromassaggio affacciata sui vigneti,

Tutt’intorno, trionfa un vero anfiteatro di vigne dove nascono molte varietà di vini (Barbera d’Asti, Grignolino, Viognier, Monferrato Nebbiolo) e “last but not least” il Ruchè docg, un rosso prodotto da un vitigno autoctono, rinato grazie alle ricerche di Franco Morando. Vengono lavorate le particelle più selezionate come il Ruché Laccento e il Ruché Limpronta e 12 mesi di legno per avere la Docg

Tutto è cominciato negli anni Ottanta, quando la famiglia Morando ha iniziato (e continua) ad acquisire terreni oltre agli attuali 175 ettari. Grazie a loro è avvenuta la rinascita del Ruchè, un rosso prodotto da un vitigno autoctono omonimo tipico di otto paesi e altre varietà (Barbera d’Asti, Grignolino,Viognier, Monferrato Nebbiolo) Ruchè è un vino dal carattere inconfondibile dallo sgargiante color rosso granato, ai piacevoli sentori floreali di rosa e viola, le note fruttate di albicocca e la speziatura che emerge con l’evoluzione lo rendono immediatamente riconoscibile nel bicchiere.

Oggi il Ruchè è conosciuto e apprezzato sulle tavole nazionali ed internazionali per le sue caratteristiche uniche ed affascinanti che hanno origine da questo straordinario terroir. “ Il Ruché per il Monferrato è un sogno, una meraviglia, rappresenta la possibilità di emergere per tutto il territorio” racconta il Ceo Franco Morando, che, per la prima volta ha voluto applicare su un vitigno a bacca nera la tecnica e lo studio della vendemmia notturna, che già da diversi anni l’azienda aveva realizzato sui vini bianchi

Franco Morando

L’assaggio del Barbera d’Asti Superior, ci porta in un mondo di eccellenze, dove spiccano i ruchè LA TRADIZIONE,  LACCENTO, LIMPRONTA  Parliamo di vini caldi, piacevole e di rara setosità, dal profumo Intenso, persistente con sentori di petali di rosa e frutti di bosco che evolgono in spezie orientali e pepe nero.

E le bollicine?
Scoprite gli Extra Dry, Cuvée Rosé e Cuvée Blanche Metodo Martinotti e l ’ottimo 120+1 un, lasciatemelo dire, champagne piemontese. Un progetto sposato dall’enologo Luca Caramellino e concluso da Morando. “La prima bottiglia stappata dovrà riposare 40 giorni, poi il mio giovane campione sarà presentato a Parigi, in Francia. Perché il nostro 120+1 è a tutti gli effetti uno ‘champagne’, Io condivido….

DOVE DORMIRE

Per chi volesse passare una notte da sogno, magari dopo un tour in cantina e una ricca degustazione dei vini Montalbera accompagnata dalle delizie delle eccellenze gastronomiche del territorio…. beh, proprio girato l’angolo potrà alloggiare in una delle Wine Suites, quattro alloggi indipendenti dove accoglienza, servizio, privacy, relax, confort e un panorama mozzafiato sono garantiti… Vi verrranno consegnate le chiavi, proprio come se foste a casa vostra: riservatezza e squisita accoglienza rendono il soggiorno indimenticabile.

Prossima tappa
La storica Distilleria Mazzetti d’Altavilla Monferrato fin dal 1846 produce grappa, curandone la distillazione, effettuata con una fonte di calore che crea l’evaporazione delle parti volatili di una sostanza ad una precisa temperatura e la ricondensazione del vapore in liquido. Varcata la porta di ingresso il visitatore può immergersi in un concentrato di storia, leggenda, natura ed ancora arte, profumi e aromi. La sua Torre Panoramica con il percorso di salita alla cima condito da racconti e curiosità, regala la vista a 360° sull’arco collinare e alpino mentre la Distilleria e la Barricaia accolgono i visitatori.
Un ringraziamento speciale a Franco Morando, Eleonora, Veronica, Daniel e tutto il fantastico team Montalbera

English version

In Castagnole Monferrato (Asti) in Piedmont, Italy, we discovered the Montalbera farm, a suggestive structure which, in addition to the production of excellent wines, offers a showroom for wine tastings, relaxation rooms, yoga sessions in the barrel room, swimming pool and jacuzzi overlooking the vineyards.

All around triumphs a true amphitheater of vineyards where many varieties of wines are born (Barbera d’Asti, Grignolino, Viognier, Monferrato Nebbiolo) and “last but not least” the Ruchè docg, a red produced from an indigenous vine, reborn thanks to the research of Franco Morando whose the most selected particles such as Ruché LACCENTO and Ruché LIMPRESA are processed 12 months of wood to obtain the Docg.i.

Here is an extremely elegant, silky, warm wine on the palate, with a great balance that reflects the international taste of the modern taster and attentive to innovative pleasures, matured in steel tanks and subsequently bottled positioned horizontally at a controlled temperature, Ruchè is a wine with an unmistakable character with a bright garnet red colour, pleasant floral hints of rose and violet, fruity notes of apricot and the spiciness that emerges with evolution making it immediately recognizable in the glass

Today Ruchè is known and appreciated on national and international tables for its unique and fascinating characteristics which originate from that extraordinary terroir that is Monferrato.
Oggi il Ruchè è conosciuto e apprezzato sulle tavole nazionali ed internazionali per le sue caratteristiche uniche ed affascinanti che hanno origine da quello straordinario terroir che è il Monferrato.

“For Monferrato, Ruché is a dream, a wonder, it represents the possibility of emerging for the entire territory” says CEO Franco Morando, who, for the first time, wanted to apply the technique and study of the night harvest, which the company had already carried out on white wines for several years

 

Franco Morando

Tasting the Barbera d’Asti Superiore, we realize that we are in a universe of excellency.
Among the Montalbera ruchès, LA TRADIZIONE, LACCENTO and LIMPRONTA stand out. Tasting the Barbera d’Asti Superire, we realize that we are in a universe of warm wines  , pleasant and of rare silkiness with an intense, persistent aroma with hints of rose petals and wild berries in jam. uby bone tending towards garnet, Intense, persistent with tending aromatic memories and typical hints of berries, which evolve into oriental spices and black pepper.

What about sparkling ?
Discover the Extra Dry, Cuvée Rosé and the Cuvée Blanche Metodo Martinotti, while the120+1 stands out, as a true Piedmontese champagne. A project embraced by the oenologist Luca Caramellino and concluded by Morando. “The first bottle uncorked will have to rest for 40 days, then my young sample will be presented in Paris, France. Because our 120+1 is in all respects a ‘champagne’.

For those who want to spend a dream night, perhaps after a tour of the cellar and a rich tasting of Montalbera wines accompanied by the delights of the gastronomic excellence of the area… well, just around the corner you can stay in one of the Wine Suites, four independent accommodations where hospitality, service, privacy, relaxation, comfort and a breathtaking view are guaranteed… You will be given the keys, just as if you were at home: confidentiality and exquisite hospitality make your stay unforgettable.

The different types of Suites are characterized by elegant simplicity and furnishings that recall the typical “Tropeziana” tradition with furnishings and design elements that blend well with the surrounding natural context, always respecting the historicity of the terroir.

Montalbera, attentive to sustainability, including social sustainability, has changed the working hours of the 22 workers in the countryside, which become more than 90 during the harvest, moving them to less hot and muggy moments of the day, in the morning from 6am while the evening harvest begins in the late afternoon.

 

Monferrato nel calice: la superlativa grappa 7.0 e l’innovazione di Hic et Nunc

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di Cesare Zucca
In una terra di vitigno “ruchè” non poteva mancare la grappa.
7.0  in soli tre anni ha saputo far breccia nel palato della new generation. Con zero impatto ambientale degli impianti di produzione, l’uso di fonti energetiche rinnovabili e un packaging moderno che strizza l’occhio alla tradizione, la 7.0 fa da scenario glamour a un distillato d’elite che esprime i sentori  per una generazione curiosa ed esigente.

Oltre al ruchè troverete innumerevoli grappe di vino: moscato, barolo, brachetto, barbaresco oppure suadenti gusti di caffè. mirtillo, fragola. limone e tanta altra frutta accuratamente selezionata, raccolta fresca in stagione, per poter dare tutto il suo meglio.

Volete sorprendere i vostri ospiti?
Gran finale tavola con i simpaticissimi “Zuccherini Spiritosi”, perfetti flambè dopo-pasto che , accanto ai gusti tradizionali, propongono nuovi intriganti sapori, come l’assenzio, lo zenzero con arancia e caffè, rosa canina, liquirizia e menta…
Accendeteli e decorare il vostro piatto all’ insegna del gusto e dello stupore. Successo garantito!

Continuiamo il nostro viaggio enologico per arrivare a Vignale Monferrato, dove sorge (è proprio il caso di dirlo) il futuristico ingresso della Cantina Hic et Nunc, un progetto visionario, contemporaneo, esperienziale, capitanato da Massimo Rosolen e Valentina Pascarella e da un team giovane, accompagnato e guidato da professionisti del settore.

Potrete visitare i vigneti, la cantina, degustare i loro vini in abbinamento con i sapori del territorio, fare shopping nel wine shop. Una vera full immersion per chi vuole approfondire gli aspetti più enologici e per chi vuole unire l’esperienza con il pernottamento in una delle sette accoglienti camere e magari un tuffo in piscina.
Un luogo “trasparente” dove le grandi vetrate sui vigneti permettono agli ospiti di gettare l’occhio sull’esterno e l’interno della produzione vitivinicola, seguendo l’intero processo di vinificazione.

Tra i vini di Hic et Nunc, vorrei citare Mète, un brut rosè dalla bella acidità, perfetto con formaggi delicati e Monbullae, bollicina di qualità, fresco e deciso, dai delicati sentori di petali di rosa che sfumano in miele e spezie, Ideale come aperitivo e per le crudité di mare.

Dalla cantina Hic et Nunc: a sinistra Mele. a destra Monbullae

Massimo è un paladino dell’innovazione. ma anche della tradizione. Tra le sue  “missioni” il recupero del baratuciat, varietà a bacca bianca rara ed antica che genera il Felem, un vino affascinante, che si distingue per la sua personalità distintiva, la struttura ben definita e il carattere fruttato e minerale.
Un vero e proprio gioiello enologico, dove ogni bottiglia viene accuratamente etichettata e numerata a mano, per poi essere consegnata in un esclusivo cofanetto.

THE LEGNANESI: the funniest italian family is back on the stage

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I Legnanesi
Ritorna la compagnia “en travesti” più famosa d’Italia, nata molto tempo fa nei cortili delle case popolari di Legnano, ritorna, come ogni anno, a deliziarci con un nuovo spettacolo dove le risate non si contano. “Settimo: non rubare” è l’accattivanetitolo della nuove avventure della Famiglia Colombo. capeggiata da mamma Teresa, abilmente interpretata da Antonio Provasio, che è anche il regista dello spettacolo, mentre i testi sono di Mitia Del Brocco, che ogni anno sa unire tradizione e innovazione fra il connubio dei profumi del tradizionale cortile e l’ispirazione tratta della serie televisiva italiana di grande successo intitolata “Mare Fuori“
Accanto a lei brillano la flamboyant figlia Mabilia ( Enrico Dalceri ) e il marito Giovanni (Italo GigliolI) cinrcondati da tutti gli altri personaggi del cortile e dagli sfavillanti boys.
il ritorno è al Teatro Repower dal 30 dicembre al 18 febbraio con una replica speciale il 31 dicembre per festeggiare insieme all’arrivo del nuovo anno in uno show ricco di sfavillanti scenografie e maestosi quadri musicali.

l nuovo titolo per la stagione 2023-2024 è già promessa di divertimento assicurato, con la comicità e la tradizione de I LEGNANESI alle prese con un comandamento quanto mai attuale. L’avventura dei Colombo inizia con che partecipa a un concorso di beneficenza aggiudicandosi “l’adozione temporanea” di un ragazzo problematico, ma dal carattere incredibilmente travolgente. Ed è proprio così che Carmine entra a far parte della famiglia Colombo, travolgendo tutti…Il compito di Teresa e Giovanni sarà quello di reinserire il ragazzo in società fornendogli le basi solide e i principi morali essenziali per vivere onestamente, mentre quello di Mabilia di vestire i panni di “sorella maggiore”.

Ma si sa che le abitudini (anche quelle malsane, purtroppo!) sono dure a morire e, per colpa di una bravata commessa da Carmine, nella seconda parte dello spettacolo i tre Colombo si ritroveranno catapultati in un’aula di tribunale a “discolparsi” per qualcosa che non hanno commesso, soprattutto il nostro Giovanni che, con grande felicità di Teresa, rischierà addirittura la galera!

Ma, quando tutto sembrerà degenerare senza via di uscita, la situazione si trasformerà,…
Tra battute, risate e allegria, spicca il divertente primo atto si chiude con uno spumeggiante tributo al vino italiano e la iconica canzone “Barbera e Champagne” di Giorgio Gaber dove Teresa sfoggia un vero e proprio tavolo da osteria con tanto di piatti, bicchieri e tovaglia a quadretti. Abbondante vino e cucina casalinga non mancano mai negli spettacoli dei Legnasi…
Ecco quindi una buona ragione per sapere direttamente da Antonio Provasio, Enrico Dalceri e Italo Giglioli quali sono le loro preferenze eno-gastronomiche.

I Legnanesi “al naturale” : da sinistra Antonio Provasio ( Teresa), Enrico Dalceri (Mabilia) e Italo GigliolI (Giovanni)

Il suo primo ricordo in cucina?
(Dalceri)  Avevo poco più di sei anni e aiutavo nonna Virginia che preparava le foiade,una pasta fatta in casa a forma di farfalle, piatto tipico cremasco(Provasio) Ricordo mio papà Renato che aspettava la domenica per cucinare il suo famoso risotto coi funghi. Era una crema davvero spettacolare, tra l’altro non con il brodo ma con l’acqua, usando il rituale di mescolare, mescolare ….(Giglioli) Premetto che sono un amante dei primi e andavo di matto per Il ragù di nonna Angela fatto in casa, una specie di magia.C’è un piatto che mangia o preferisce mangiare soltanto se cucinato da un’altra persona ? (Giglioli) La trippa di mamma Dora, rigorosamente alla milanese con verdure e fagioli, messi a bagno la sera prima ,,, (Provasio) Io cucinare… zero, sono negato. Per fortuna mia moglie è emiliana e cucina benissimo, la sua specialità e’ il rognone, riesce a cucinarlo senza nemmeno assaggiarlo: risultato strepitoso.(Dalceri) Sono un esperto in primi, anche se c’è un piatto che secondo me è difficile da preparare e cioè la lepre in salmi. E’ una procedura complicata la lepre va messa del vino macerata con le spezie, che vanno dosate alla perfezione, insomma preferisco che lo cucini qualcun altro…Nell’esilarante scena “Barbera e Chamapgne” c’è un vero e proprio inno al vino.. Qual’è il suo preferito?(Dalceri) Gewurztraimer, bello fruttato(Provasio) Io vado sulla amarone da abbinare alle carni e polenta.(Giglioli) Un eccellente Sassicaia, visto il prezzo… specialmente quando me lo regalano ….

Teatro Repower dal 30 dicembre al 18 febbraio
I biglietti sono in vendita:
– on line su www.ticketone.it
– telefonicamente al numero 892.101
È inoltre possibile acquistare i biglietti presso il botteghino del Teatro Repower
a partire da due ore prima dell’inizio degli spettacoli.

Ecco il tour

24 febbraio
CONEGLIANO
TEATRO ACCADEMIA

25 febbraio
MANTOVA
TEATRO SOCIALE MANTOVA

26 febbraio
BORGOMANERO
TEATRO NUOVO

27 febbraio
CASALEMONFERRATO (AL)
TEATRO MUNICIPALE

29 febbraio
GALLARATE (VA)
TEATRO CONDOMINIO

Marzo 2024

01 mar
GALLARATE (VA)
TEATRO CONDOMINIO

02 mar
GALLARATE (VA)
TEATRO CONDOMINIO

03 mar
GALLARATE (VA)
TEATRO CONDOMINIO (POMERIDIANO)

05 mar
VARESE
TEATRO DI VARESE

06 mar
VARESE
TEATRO DI VARESE

07 mar
VARESE
TEATRO DI VARESE

08 mar
VARESE
TEATRO DI VARESE

09 mar
VARESE
TEATRO DI VARESE (POMERIDIANO)

10 mar
VARESE
TEATRO DI VARESE (POMERIDIANO)

13 mar
BIELLA
TEATRO ODEON

15 mar
SEREGNO (MB)
TEATRO SAN ROCCO

16 mar
SEREGNO (MB)
TEATRO SAN ROCCO

17 mar
SEREGNO (MB)
TEATRO SAN ROCCO (POMERIDIANO)

20
mar
SEREGNO (MB)
TEATRO SAN ROCCO

21 mar
SEREGNO (MB)TEATRO SAN ROCCO

22 mar
SEREGNO (MB)
TEATRO SAN ROCCO

23 mar
SEREGNO (MB)
TEATRO SAN ROCCO

24 mar
SEREGNO (MB)
TEATRO SAN ROCCO (POMERIDIANO)

26 mar
BERGAMO
TEATRO DONIZETTI

27 mar
BERGAMO
TEATRO DONIZETTI

28 mar
BERGAMO
TEATRO DONIZETTI

Aprile 2024

03 apr
BORGOSESIA
TEATRO PROLOCO

05 apr
CONCOREZZO (MB)
TEATRO SAN LUIGI

06 apr
CONCOREZZO (MB)
TEATRO SAN LUIGI

07 apr
CONCOREZZO (MB)
TEATRO SAN LUIGI (POMERIDIANO)

10 apr
SCHIO
TEATRO ASTRA

12 apr
TORINO
TEATRO COLOSSEO

13 apr
TORINO
TEATRO COLOSSEO

14 apr
TORINO
TEATRO COLOSSEO (POMERIDIANO)

23
apr
CINISELLO BALSAMO
TEATRO PAX

26 apr
SONDRIO
TEATRO SOCIALE

30 apr
LUGANO
TEATRO LAC

Maggio 2024

01 mag
LUGANO
TEATRO LAC

02 mag
LUGANO
TEATRO LAC

04 mag
LODI
AUDITORIO BPL

05 mag
LODI
AUDITORIO BPL

07 mag
LIMBIATE (MB)
TEATRO COMUNALE

08 mag
LIMBIATE (MB)
TEATRO COMUNALE

09 mag
COMO
TEATRO SOCIALE

10 mag
COMO
TEATRO SOCIALE

11 mag
COMO
TEATRO SOCIALE

12 mag
COMOT
EATRO SOCIALE (POMERIDIANO)

14 mag
VERBANIA
TEATRO IL MAGGIORE

15
mag
GARBAGNATE
TEATRO ITALIA

17 mag
GENOVA
TEATRO POLITEAMA GENOVESE

18 mag
GENOVA
TEATRO POLITEAMA GENOVESE

19 mag
BRESCIA
TEATRO DIS_PLAY

25 mag
NOVARA
TEATRO COCCIA

26 mag
NOVARA
TEATRO COCCIA (POMERIDIANO)

English Version

The Legnanesi
The most famous “en travesti” company in Italy, born a long time ago in the courtyards of the council houses of Legnano, returns, like every year, to delight us with a new show where the laughter is endless.
“Seventh: don’t steal” is the catchy title of the new adventures of the Colombo Family. led by mother Teresa, skillfully played by Antonio Provasio, who is also the director of the show, while the texts are by Mitia Del Brocco, who every year knows how to combine tradition and innovation between the combination of the scents of the traditional courtyard and the inspiration comes from the very successful Italian television series entitled “Mare Fuori“ Next to her shine the flamboyant daughter Mabilia (Enrico Dalceri) and her husband Giovanni (Italo Giglioli) surrounded by all the other courtyard characters and some sparkling boys.The new title for the 2023-2024 season already promises guaranteed fun, with the comedy and tradition of I LEGNANESI grappling with a commandment that is more current than ever. The Colombos’ adventure begins with them taking part in a charity competition and winning the “temporary adoption” of a problematic boy with an incredibly overwhelming character. And it is precisely in this way that Carmine becomes part of the Colombo family, overwhelming everyone… Teresa and Giovanni’s task will be to reintegrate the boy into society by providing him with the solid foundations and essential moral principles to live honestly, while Mabilia’s task will be to dress the role as “big sister”.

But we know that habits (even unhealthy ones, unfortunately!) die hard and, due to a stunt committed by Carmine, in the second part of the show the three Colombos will find themselves catapulted into a courtroom to “exonerate” themselves for something they didn’t commit, especially our Giovanni who, to Teresa’s great happiness, will even risk going to prison!

But, when everything seems to degenerate with no way out, the situation will transform,…
Among jokes, laughter and joy, the fun first act stands out, closing with a sparkling tribute to Italian wine and the iconic song “Barbera and Champagne” by Giorgio Gaber where Teresa shows off a real tavern table complete with plates, glasses and checkered tablecloth.

The Legnanesi. From left Antonio Provasio ( Teresa), Enrico Dalceri (Mabilia) Italo Giglioli (Giovanni)

 

 

 

Summary of CHEFS INTERVIEWS and RESTAURANTS REVIEWS by Cesare Zucca

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Here a summary of Cesare’s work.
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HARLEM LUNCH with the legendary Miss Norma Jean Darden

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IL GRANDE DITTATORE “COLORATO” DALL’ORCHESTRA DAL VIVO

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Continuano al magnifico Auditorium di Milano gli spettacolari eventi della rassegna POPs che uniscono musica dal vivo a alcuni dei film più iconici della storia. Dopo “Psyco” è stata la volta di “Jurassic Park” e “Disney in Concert” Prossimamente le immagini in bianco e nero de’ Il grande dittatore, la prima, avventura di Charlie Chaplin nel cinema sonoro, verranno ” colorate” dalla Orchesta Sinfonica diretta dal Maestro Timothy Brock,

Brock, grande specialista della sonorizzazione di pellicole dal vivo, è particolarmente vicino alla produzione di Chaplin: nel 1999, infatti, la Fondazione Chaplin lo incarica di restaurare la partitura originale di Tempi moderni. “Ne Il grande dittatore, racconta Brock, Chaplin ha la tendenza a mettere la musica sullo sfondo anche più del necessario, probabilmente perché affascinato dalla novità di poter giocare con diversi elementi del cinema con cui non aveva mai lavorato prima. Le parti in cui la musica è in primo piano riguarda partiture che non sono scritte da Chaplin, bensì da Wagner – la scena di Hynkel che gioca con il mondo – o da Brahms – la scena del taglio di barba e capelli, tipica del muto. Ma permettere al pubblico di ascoltare i brani eccellenti scritti da Chaplin altrimenti inudibili è un grande onore e una grande opportunità.”

Thimoty Brock

Chaplin passò mesi a comporre la colonna sonora, e, come sempre, fu il più spietato critico di sé stesso, scartando quasi due terzi della musica totale che aveva composto.  Chaplin compone una musica che identifica profondamente i personaggi e le situazioni raccontate: come nel caso del triste tema ricorrente, per le scene in cui il personaggio del barbiere è più vulnerabile e abbattuto; un valzer stravagante e surreale, quando quest’ultimo viene accidentalmente colpito alla testa da una padella; poi una danza di ispirazione ebraica. E ancora, una rigorosa linea a base di marce militari, musica da parata e tableaux musicali pseudo-greci per rappresentare il parodistico Adenoid Hynkel, oltre a una marcia di tarantella per accompagnare la scena dell’arrivo alla stazione ferroviaria di Benzino Napaloni (la parodia di Benito Mussolini).

Venerdì 2 febbraio 2024 ore 20
Sabato 3 febbraio 2024 ore 18
Auditorium di Milano, Largo Mahler

Biglietti Intero: 52 € in platea, 44 € in galleria. Over 60 e Convenzioni: 41 € (platea), 33 € (galleria). Under 30: 27 € (platea), 22 € (galleria); Sostenitori: 27 € (platea), 22 € (galleria).
I biglietti sono in vendita presso la biglietteria dell’Auditorium di Milano, oppure online su Vivaticket. Orari biglietteria Auditorium di Milano: Martedì-Domenica, 10 – 19.
Recapiti: T. 02 83389.401, e-mail: biglietteria@sinfonicadimilano.org

AMAZING! HAVANA EL GRANDE CIRCO DE CUBA NOW IN ITALY

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Text and Photos © Cesare Zucca
Spectacular!
HAVANA EL GRANDE CIRCO DE CUBA landed in Milan in Piazzale Cuoco, under the Grand Chapiteau,Get ready to dive into a lively, colorful universe full of surprises, amazing numbers and infinite talent! You will be transported to the world of Cuba, with its colors, its lights, the dances, the songs, the music and the incredible professionalism of 42 tireless artists who, all in one breath, without interruptions, accompanied by an exceptional live band led by by a splendid singer.Cuba has always played a leading role in the field of music: it is here that some of the most beautiful genres were born such as son (one of the fathers of all Cuban rhythms), mambo and above all salsa, a truly national rhythm, which is danced practically at any time of the day.
Skaters, acrobats, dancers, trapeze jugglers and an explosion of you and energy will amaze you, entertain you and leave you speechless with amazing numbers without interruption, and it is precisely this “non-stop show” that will keep you glued to your seats, hypnotized by the skill and, let me tell you, by the undeniable beauty and sensuality of the protagonists.Organized by the Casartelli family of Medrano in agreement with the Ministry of Culture of Cuba, the show mixes dance, folklore and circus arts on rhumba, merengue, cha cha cha and salsa rhythms and melodies, presenting itself as a colorful invitation to joy and a powerful remedy for the darkness.For this evocative show, the best artists from the most famous circus school in Havana have been selected: everyone will share the stage, inviting the public to celebrate with joy and good humor their entry into this island full of joy, beautiful people and natural beauty. And it is precisely through music, dance, singing and circus that this show takes shape with artists selected from the best in Cuba for a two-hour show suitable for the whole family.The show is hosted by an eclectic clown who transforms into a juggler even Michael Jackson, just to amuse the audience, involve the spectators and to give the prop makers, often aided by the artists themselves, the opportunity to assemble platforms showing a great solidarity among all the performers who in perfect timing and harmony assemble trapezoids, ladders and everything needed for performances in the air.The costumes are dazzling, from the pirates who invade the dance floor, to the white and gold uniforms, to the sinuous dancers who compete in human pyramids.Muscles, smiles, love, joy, companionship and beauty come together in a seductive show that, for an afternoon or a night, ..will take you far away….

HAVANA EL GRANDE CIRCO DE CUBA
Milan – Grand Chapiteau, Piazzale Cuoco till 18 February 2024
Show times (Thursday to Sunday)
Thursday and Friday at 5.30pm and 9.00pm
Saturday and Sunday 3.00pm and 5.30pm
Online ticket prices
From €20 to €45
Info at the numbers 389.4467047 – 351.3404730
www.medrano.it

Summary of FOOD articles by Cesare Zucca

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Cesare Zucca
Milanese by birth, Cesare lives between New York, Milan and the rest of the world.
He photographs and talks about food,,wine and gastronomic delights then reports
everything in his “non-touristy-tourist” style.
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Le ricette della Nonna… Granma’s recipies
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SUMMARY of ENTERTAINMENT Movies, Dance, Ballet, Opera, Music, Theater. Articles by Cesare Zucca

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“This intoxication, this emotion, this exaltation, this immediate feeling at home, I felt it immediately, the first time I entered the tent of a circus; and it wasn’t even the time for the show” writes Jacqueline Risset in his book ‘The Enchanter’, “it was early in the morning and under the golden awning that barely breathed, like a large warm, welcoming panciona, there was no one.I see full article

TANGO FATAL COMPANY in “TANGO Y AMOR”

Tango Fatal is an international tango company directed by Guillermo Berzins, a world-famous Argentine dancer and choreographer, who will involve us in the show Tango y Amor, together with his sensual dancer with great technical and interpretative ability of Marijana Tanasković. The show, with a strong emotional impact, makes the sensual and mysterious atmospheres of Buenos Aires revive and live on stage…
 
 
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Diaghilev, Nijinsky, Massine, Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, Kenneth MacMillan, Maurice Béjart, Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasiliev those are just few names of extraordinary choreographers who were enchanted by Igor Stravinskij’s The Rite of Spring, the legend …
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THREE TIMES RAVEL
Ravel Project is a triptych structured tribute to the always fascinating music of Maurice Ravel .A new production by Jas Art Ballet ensemble, founded and directed by principal Andrea Volpintesta and  Sabrina Brazzo a prima ballerina at  in Milan who performed on the most famous stages in the world such as Milan La Scala, Paris Opera, London Covent Garden, Moscow Bolshoi and NY Metropolitan,

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Put together the “Swan Song ” a vaudeville by Chekhov about an old actor in a
theatre after the lights go out, the eternal music of Tchaikovsky, the genially irreverent choreography and direction by Fabrizio Monteverde and a bunch of older, aching, curved dancers who want ..
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Here it comes again. The magic world of Mummenschanz hypnotizes one more time.
The group of four mimes debuted last night at Teatro Carcano in Milan, Italy.
Despite some technical issues, the show captured the audience, as usual.
The performance started with two huge hands…
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Thursday, December 10th. It will be an amazing night for opera lovers. It will happen in one of The Space Cinema, a  great chain of movie theaters all over the Italian territory, hosting two long waited live performances from London Royal Opera House. I am talking off Mascani’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, two short works…
see full article
 


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GODSPELL, THE MUSICAL

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screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-11-33screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-18-33 screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-44-21screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-34-23screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-32-52

screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-11-49-28


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Ricordate Giulietta degli Spiriti? Do you remember Juliet of the Spirits?

A wonderful cinematographic project by Federico Fellini inspired byf his short story ‘Giulietta’ published by the Swiss publisher Diogenes, to then become the film Giulietta degli Spiriti, a long spirit session populated by magicians and visionaries and without doubt one of the Maestro’s masterpieces,
“This intoxication, this emotion, this exaltation, this immediate feeling at home, I felt it immediately, the first time I entered the tent of a circus; and it wasn’t even the time for the show” writes Jacqueline Risset in his book ‘The Enchanter’, “it was early in the morning and under the golden awning that barely breathed, like a large warm, welcoming panciona, there was no one.I see full article

TANGO FATAL COMPANY in “TANGO Y AMOR”

Tango Fatal is an international tango company directed by Guillermo Berzins, a world-famous Argentine dancer and choreographer, who will involve us in the show Tango y Amor, together with his sensual dancer with great technical and interpretative ability of Marijana Tanasković. The show, with a strong emotional impact, makes the sensual and mysterious atmospheres of Buenos Aires revive and live on stage…
 
 
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Diaghilev, Nijinsky, Massine, Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, Kenneth MacMillan, Maurice Béjart, Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasiliev those are just few names of extraordinary choreographers who were enchanted by Igor Stravinskij’s The Rite of Spring, the legend …
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THREE TIMES RAVEL
Ravel Project is a triptych structured tribute to the always fascinating music of Maurice Ravel .A new production by Jas Art Ballet ensemble, founded and directed by principal Andrea Volpintesta and  Sabrina Brazzo a prima ballerina at  in Milan who performed on the most famous stages in the world such as Milan La Scala, Paris Opera, London Covent Garden, Moscow Bolshoi and NY Metropolitan,


The show starts with… ..
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Put together the “Swan Song ” a vaudeville by Chekhov about an old actor in a
theatre after the lights go out, the eternal music of Tchaikovsky, the genially irreverent choreography and direction by Fabrizio Monteverde and a bunch of older, aching, curved dancers who want ..
see full article
Here it comes again. The magic world of Mummenschanz hypnotizes one more time.
The group of four mimes debuted last night at Teatro Carcano in Milan, Italy.
Despite some technical issues, the show captured the audience, as usual.
The performance started with two huge hands…
see article

see full article

see full article

Thursday, December 10th. It will be an amazing night for opera lovers. It will happen in one of The Space Cinema, a  great chain of movie theaters all over the Italian territory, hosting two long waited live performances from London Royal Opera House. I am talking off Mascani’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, two short works…
see full article
 


see full article

see full article

see full article

see full article

GODSPELL, THE MUSICAL

see full article

screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-11-33screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-18-33 screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-44-21screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-34-23screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-32-52

screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-11-49-28

 
 

Ricordate Giulietta degli Spiriti? Do you remember Juliet of the Spirits?

A wonderful cinematographic project by Federico Fellini inspired byf his short story ‘Giulietta’ published by the Swiss publisher Diogenes, to then become the film Giulietta degli Spiriti, a long spirit session populated by magicians and visionaries and without doubt one of the Maestro’s masterpieces,
“This intoxication, this emotion, this exaltation, this immediate feeling at home, I felt it immediately, the first time I entered the tent of a circus; and it wasn’t even the time for the show” writes Jacqueline Risset in his book ‘The Enchanter’, “it was early in the morning and under the golden awning that barely breathed, like a large warm, welcoming panciona, there was no one.I see full article

TANGO FATAL COMPANY in “TANGO Y AMOR”

Tango Fatal is an international tango company directed by Guillermo Berzins, a world-famous Argentine dancer and choreographer, who will involve us in the show Tango y Amor, together with his sensual dancer with great technical and interpretative ability of Marijana Tanasković. The show, with a strong emotional impact, makes the sensual and mysterious atmospheres of Buenos Aires revive and live on stage…
 
 
see full article

see full article see  full article
 

Diaghilev, Nijinsky, Massine, Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, Kenneth MacMillan, Maurice Béjart, Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasiliev those are just few names of extraordinary choreographers who were enchanted by Igor Stravinskij’s The Rite of Spring, the legend …
see full article

see full article


 see article

see full article

THREE TIMES RAVEL
Ravel Project is a triptych structured tribute to the always fascinating music of Maurice Ravel .A new production by Jas Art Ballet ensemble, founded and directed by principal Andrea Volpintesta and  Sabrina Brazzo a prima ballerina at  in Milan who performed on the most famous stages in the world such as Milan La Scala, Paris Opera, London Covent Garden, Moscow Bolshoi and NY Metropolitan,


The show starts with… ..
see full article

see full article


Put together the “Swan Song ” a vaudeville by Chekhov about an old actor in a
theatre after the lights go out, the eternal music of Tchaikovsky, the genially irreverent choreography and direction by Fabrizio Monteverde and a bunch of older, aching, curved dancers who want ..
see full article
Here it comes again. The magic world of Mummenschanz hypnotizes one more time.
The group of four mimes debuted last night at Teatro Carcano in Milan, Italy.
Despite some technical issues, the show captured the audience, as usual.
The performance started with two huge hands…
see article

see full article

see full article

Thursday, December 10th. It will be an amazing night for opera lovers. It will happen in one of The Space Cinema, a  great chain of movie theaters all over the Italian territory, hosting two long waited live performances from London Royal Opera House. I am talking off Mascani’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, two short works…
see full article
 


see full article

see full article

see full article

see full article

GODSPELL, THE MUSICAL

see full article

screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-11-33screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-18-33 screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-44-21screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-34-23screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-12-32-52

screen-shot-2017-02-28-at-11-49-28


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MILAN, PICCOLO TEATRO.
An evening in Hell, Purgatory, Heaven… with legendary Colla’s marionettes

 

The idea of using marionettes to represent the words and images of Dante dates back a few decades, when at the end of the 80s Eugenio Monti Colla asked the then recently formed workshops to design and create the first materials for a possible staging. Now, four years on from his death, the Carlo Colla & Figli Company is finally staging this project. How is it possible to take on a work of such enormity and of a dimension totally out of scale with that of a marionette?

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