The Journal

Notes From Italy

A considered collection of stories, seasonal ideas, and private-travel inspiration from across Italy.

The Heart of Puglia: Four Days at the Table with the People of the Land

Destinations

The Heart of Puglia: Four Days at the Table with the People of the Land

A food and wine journey through Puglia's hidden towns, from Primitivo cellars and olive groves to cave-aged cheese, Castel del Monte and the Gravina di Castellaneta.

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Secret Rome, Part Two: Keyholes, Catacombs and Emperors

Hidden Gems

Secret Rome, Part Two: Keyholes, Catacombs and Emperors

The little Fiat is warmed up, and Rome has more secrets to share. Join me for Part Two of Secret Rome, from orange-scented gardens and the city’s most enchanting keyhole to ancient catacombs and hidden Colosseum passages and a sweet Roman treat waiting at the end.

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Secret Rome, Part One: Whispers, Fountains and a Little Fiat

Hidden Gems

Secret Rome, Part One: Whispers, Fountains and a Little Fiat

Rome saves some of its loveliest surprises for those who wander beyond the familiar. Join me for Part One of Secret Rome, from ancient waters near the Trevi Fountain to Trastevere’s irresistible lanes with a vintage Fiat 500 adding a little Italian movie magic along the way.

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Where the Lovers Still Walk

Culture & Art

Where the Lovers Still Walk

Ancient streets, an Italian love story, and a summer evening beneath the stars. Why Verona is the city I keep returning to — and why 2027 is the year to go.

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Lake Orta and Isola San Giulio: The Quiet Jewel of the Italian Lakes

Destinations

Lake Orta and Isola San Giulio: The Quiet Jewel of the Italian Lakes

Just beyond Lake Como lies a quieter Italian escape, where cobbled lanes, centuries-old frescoes, and soft church bells invite you to slow down. Discover Lake Orta and Isola San Giulio, a tiny island rich in legends, beauty, and unexpected moments of stillness.

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Tiramisù, a Venetian Wager, and the Ladyfingers That Started It All

Culinary

Tiramisù, a Venetian Wager, and the Ladyfingers That Started It All

Homemade ladyfingers, a spirited argument in Venice, and a tiramisù challenge I still haven’t settled. Join me for a delicious journey through Italy’s favorite pick-me-up and discover why this pastry chef is finally ready to dust off her apron.

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La Dolce Spritz: A Sip Through Italy’s Regions

Culinary

La Dolce Spritz: A Sip Through Italy’s Regions

From a violet spritz on the Italian Riviera to an elderflower Hugo above Florence, my favorite aperitivo discoveries tell a story of place, flavor, and golden hour. Join me for a sip through Italy, one local spritz and unforgettable view at a time.

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Genova, Every Port has Secrets...This one has History, Music, Pirates, & Pesto

Destinations

Genova, Every Port has Secrets...This one has History, Music, Pirates, & Pesto

I almost skipped Genova, then found myself drawn into its medieval streets, storied dining rooms, and a pesto lesson beneath painted palazzo ceilings. This overlooked Italian city reveals its treasures slowly, and by the time I discovered them, I was already wishing I could stay longer.

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A Hidden Gem in Liguria – Not Cinque Terre

Hidden Gems

A Hidden Gem in Liguria – Not Cinque Terre

Escaping Florence’s summer heat, Mortie and I found our way to Camogli, where pastel houses overlook fishing boats and afternoons slip by between sea swims and glasses of Vermentino. Come along for molten cheese focaccia, hillside walks, and the quiet pleasure of losing track of time on the Italian Riviera.

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The Italian Table, Decoded: A Guide to Enoteca, Osteria, Trattoria & Ristorante

Culinary

The Italian Table, Decoded: A Guide to Enoteca, Osteria, Trattoria & Ristorante

In Italy, choosing where to eat is never as simple as picking a restaurant. It's an entire language of its own, and we're about to teach you how to speak it.

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Michelangelo's Florence: From the David to the Secret Room

Culture & Art

Michelangelo's Florence: From the David to the Secret Room

A book first brought me to Florence, but Michelangelo’s art keeps me captivated. From the David’s defiant beauty to the intimate sketches in a hidden room beneath the Medici Chapels, follow me through the places where his genius still feels alive.

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Venice Secrets: Hidden Corners of the Floating City

Destinations

Venice Secrets: Hidden Corners of the Floating City

Venice hands you the postcard first, but her real magic lives in the quiet corners: a spiral "snail" staircase hidden in a courtyard, stone lions that once swallowed secret accusations, and the rooftop cell Casanova escaped from. Follow along for six hidden gems, from the birthplace of carpaccio to a bookshop where the books float in gondolas, and discover the Venice that stays with you long after you've gone home.

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“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

— Vincent Van Gogh