Thursday 28 July 2011

Dreaming of Italy....



For the past few months I have been longing to go back to Italy, maybe Capri, Sicily, Sardinia or maybe the mainland, hard to choose. I have been drawn to all things Italian and have delved into my cook books to seek out Italian recipes and have been shopping with an Italian theme in mind.


For my Birthday, I recently acquired a beautiful book called VENEZIA Food and Dreams. The photographs are so beautiful and the recipes look delicious and tempting.




Another image from the book. That chandelier is so beautiful!


Nesti Dante soaps are made in Italy. They are the most wonderful soaps! On a recent visit to Dartmouth, I bought more as they are not always easy to find locally. I had only just ran out of them.


Moving on to food...

I have quite a few Italian cook books, reflecting my love of Italian food.

One of my recent book buys is Two Greedy Italians. The TV series is very enjoyable, if you haven't already seen it yet you will be entertained.




Would like to have a meal at this restaurant in Capri, on a warm balmy evening...


There are a number of online Italian Delicatessens where speciality foods can be bought. I like Sardinia's flat crisp bread called pane carasau also known as 'carta da musica' (music paper) as they are so thin. I bought them from Tre Stelle, they are perfect with dips, on their own broken up as a snack or used in lasagne as an alternative to pasta. The recipe for that dish is featured in the Two Greedy Italians book.
The bottle of Mirto is a speciality from Sardinia. I discovered it whilst on honeymoon in 2006.


I have subscribed to Italia! and every month get my fix Italian images and news. It covers all apects of Italy, travel, food, politics, language, property etc.




This is the book that I am reading at bedtime: Head over Heels - Seduced by Southern Italy by Chris Harrison. It is based on his real life experience of having fallen in love with an Italian woman and leaving his country behind (Australia) to go and live with her in Italy. I like his humour and the way he describes what it is really like living and working in Italy. I am not half way through the book yet but I have already learnt quite a bit about Italians or Italian way of life which I was not aware of before. A very good read so far!


Next book waiting in the wings...


There are quite a few films set in Italy which I have enjoyed watching and this is one of them. An easy going romantic film with stunning views of Italy throughout it. It's a lovely film.



Well, that's my little tour of Italy over for now...Thank you for letting me indulge in a bit of dreaming...

Do you have a favourite place in Italy?

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

39 comments:

Cinzia said...

I love all my country but i love so much also your country!!!
It is wonderful!
Hello from Italy,
Cinzia

Country Cottage Chic said...

Seems aanother trip to Italy is in order!

Jayne

Julia said...

I've only been once in 2002 and am still in love with the place .... lack of funds prevent a return journey to date, but I shall go again eventually!! I can't say where is favourite, but we did stay in a lovely little village just outside Florence called Fiesole for the 2nd half of the holiday. Everywhere is so stunning and full of history ......... damn, you've set me off dreaming now!!!

Julia x

Anonymous said...

A wonderful journey, photos, I really enjoyed it! And I'm back from vacation yesterday and I enjoyed the sun and sea.
I am sending you a big greeting and I wish a nice weekend:)

Anonymous said...

A wonderful journey and photos, I really enjoyed it. And I'm back from vacation yesterday and I enjoyed the sun and sea.
I am sending you a big greeting and I wish a nice weekend.

KC'sCourt! said...

Now that is one place I would love to visit. I love Italian food and would love to experience proper Italian food.
Julie xxxxxx

theromanticrose said...

Ciao,sono Rosetta,abito vicino Roma,ho un blog italiano.Mi fa piacere che l'ITALIA è fra i tuoi sogni!Ciao,Rosetta

loveandlilac said...

I have been to Pisa and Florence - both beautiful - and I would love to go to the Amalfi coast. Your lovely post reminds me how much I would like to go back.

Hesta Nesta said...

How beautifully romantic it looks. I would love to go to Sicily...one day perhaps. Have you ever seen Enchanted April? It is a real gem, set in the 1920's it is about four women who rent a place in Italy, and about their lives and loves..if you haven't seen it Isabelle you really must, a wonderful film. Lovely post.
Jo xx

A garden just outside Venice said...

Mmh..home sweet home! :-)
It's very hard to choose just one place...I think I'd pick up Pantelleria or the Aeolian islands for a holiday!
Never seen the "Dolce vivere" range in shops!

Unknown said...

I think you e having a calling, Isabelle!
Such a beautiful country.

Have a beautiful weekend ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Hello Isabelle, what a great post.
the cookbooks look so interesting and the soap, well I'm going to try and find some here in California.
I sure adored Genoa. We stayed in an ancient pension, got to know the neighborhood and the cafe and bakery. Everyone was so kind, yes, I loved Genoa.
xx
julie

Anonymous said...

How wonderful, Isabelle to be dreaming so beautifully. I love Italy as well although Rome was a bit scary when we stayed there. We are watching I, Claudius at the moment which is gripping but won't make you feel like heading to Italy! I love Tessa Kiros's books and I still have to get that one. It's divine, isn't it? And those soaps I have purchased from the Botanical Gardens shop in Sydney. They are lovely. xx

Crystel said...

My family has a summer home on Capri, and I absolutely love it there, although I seldom get to visit. Life is a little bit sweeter in Italy -- no doubt about it! Thanks for allowing me to relive my Italian memories for a moment...

Anonymous said...

Hi Isabelle!!! I'm following your blog from Veneto Region, i live just one hour trip in train from Venice, which i love!! Come and enjoy Venice and Veneto region, pleanty of beauty to discover & delicatessen to taste!!! (i love england a lot too! us to live in Brighton and coming in Uk once every year!!) Love your Blog! W. the antiques lovers

Anonymous said...

Hi Isabelle!! I follow your blog from Veneto Region Italy! i live in a small village just 1 hour trip with the train from Venice there i love!! Came and visit the hiden beauty of Veneto, Venice & the delicatessen we offer!!I love Englad too, lived in Brighton 11 years ago and caming in Uk once every year to visit friend! I love you blog! W. the Antiques Lovers

Ticking stripes said...

Venice, Venice, oh and Rome. For another great film set in Italy try Tea with Mussolini - Judy Dench and Maggie Smith. You won't be disappointed!

Pretty at Heart said...

Italy is just my fave!! I love everything about the country. Unfortunately we haven't been for years as its expensive and always rains when we go!! I am married to a Greek as that is the nearest I could find to an Italian!! lol!
-x-

*Susycottage* said...

I love England, Italy to you
home ..... we exchange? Heh heh! I live near the house
Romeo and Juliet, Verona
a hug
Suzy x

Vintage Jane said...

I loved reading this post and all the beautiful photos. We have holidayed in Italy several times and it never disappoints. We too, loved the Two Greedy Italians series and have cooked a couple of things from the book. I am going to get the Head Over Heels book that you recommend. M x

harmony and rosie said...

We had a memorable holiday in Amalfi before the children were born. The coastline is stunning, absolutely beautiful, and we had a trip out to Capri, ate and stayed at the Michelin starred 'Don Alfonso' outside Sorrento, day trip to Pompeii and so much more. What a trip it was! Then when I was pregnant we had a last minute holiday to Sicily and I remember that one so fondly too. Isabelle, you have got me started now .. what a wonderful place Italy is!

andamento said...

I love Italy too. I worked one summer in Ispra at Lago Maggiore and managed to see quite a lot of the north while there. We went on honeymoon to Rome and Sorrento and I also played in an orchestra at a choir festival in Tuscany. I'd love to go back...

Nata per sognare said...

Your post on Italy is beautiful.
Autumn in Venice is extraordinary.
See you soon
Angela

Simone said...

Beautiful photographs! When I was small we once went on a day trip to Italy from Spain. I remember crossing a busy road and getting a huge ice cream with 3 different flavours!

ALISON said...

Ciao from sunny Turin.Liked your little italian tour.Just to tell that I live in the north of Italy and earlier this year my husband who works in a beautiful hotel between ASTI and ALESSANDRIA actually met Antonio Carluccio , he was actually filming in the area for that new series,I actually got to speak with him on the phone and then he sent me a little dedication to put in my cook book . My dad is from ASSISI a beautiful hillside town in UMBRIA ,it's beautiful there. ciao Alison

Madelief said...

Hi Isabelle,

I understand why you love Italy. The country has every ingredient you need for a perfect holiday!

I am not sure if I have a favourite spot. I haven't been to Rome, Capri or Sorrento yet......for now it's the Lago Maggiore!

Have a lovely weekend,

Madelief x

GardenOfDaisies said...

I want to go too! Probably the area around Florence, where DH's family comes from. And the northern areas around Lake Como, and some of the beautiful southern coastline with... How about ALL of it?

bellaboo said...

My sister is off to Italy tomorrow for a two week break,lucky bunny.
I have driven through on route from Cyprus,but it was at night so I didn't see much of the country...love Italian food too :0)

Ruth said...

I have actually never been to Italy. Can you believe that? I must put that right very soon!

Champagne Macarons said...

Sounds lovely. Although my heart belongs to Paris, I would love to visit Italy one day.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit. It's always nice to meet new friends!

Wishing you a most lovely weekend!
xoxo, B

koralee said...

Thank you for the tour...I have never been..but now it is on my list! What joy. xoxoxo

Happy weekend

Simone said...

I meant to say a day trip from Yugoslavia (Croatia) to Italy! x

Reading Tea Leaves said...

OOh gorgeous images. They make me long even more for my Italian holiday at the end of August!

We have been lucky to enjoy several Italian holidays. To choose one place would be difficult but Venice and Lake Como stick in my mind as being particularly enjoyable holidays and wonderful places.

Jeanne
x

Julia said...

You lovely but oh so naughty woman Isabelle! I absolutely drank up this post with delight, loved every ounce of it, your words, the pictures...what a gorgeous place and now you have seduced me! To be honest, over the last few weeks I have given serious thought to signing up for an Italian language course, and we have been chatting about going somewhere overseas next year with our wee girl for the very first time, Italy was spoken about with gusto! Like you, I love the food, the romance and the beauty of the place - and now Im off to Amazon to check out those story books because Im in need of a good bedtime read right now, and they look perfect!
Sending you love, thank you for such an inspiring and lovely post.
Julia x x x

June said...

I'll be dreaming right there with you after seeing this beautiful post Isabelle. It just seems that the Italians do it all so right.
I loved this post!
sending hugs...

Unknown said...

Gosh, now I want to go too Italy too.
//Camilla

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

I haven't been to many places in Italy but my favourite place would have to be Portofino. I was there 20 years ago and it was SO beautiful!

Alessandra said...

Well I am Italian so I have many favourite places there, but if you like to see where my mum lives (north of Venice, in the Dolomite mountains) go here
http://alessandrazecchini.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results
I think that you will like it :-)

ciao
Alessandra

BusyLizzie said...

loved your "visit" to italy.. my favourite places are the mountains in winter.. Bardonecchia and La Thuille... oh what bliss! lizzie x