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A Day in... Bologna

2/20/2020

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Oh Bologna... even though its name is often confused with a interesting deli meat in America, you should never assume the food in Bologna will be anything but exquisite. And I don't use that word lightly. 

The food in Bologna is incredible. All of my visits to this town have revolved around it. Yes, it's a town full of amazing buildings, canals, gorgeous libraries and churches, arched hallways of terrazo floors and history...but I will forever return to Bologna for the food. And luckily there's three meals in a day (plus snacks) to take advantage of all Bologna has to offer!

Bologna may seem off the beaten path but I promise it's not. Most people find themselves in this tasty town while traveling from Florence to Venice via train. It's also a great airport hub when flying around Europe. So, if you get the chance to add Bologna to your itinerary, I have two pieces of advice.
1 - Do it. And 2 - Bring your appetite. 
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How to save a little Euro!

2/11/2020

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One of the hardest challenges about traveling to Italy is budgeting. How do you live "la dolce vita" to the fullest and still have euro for that second gelato of the day?

I’ve compiled some recommendations of ways you can save a little money during your trip to Italy that will hopefully give you some more room in your budget to play, eat and explore more. 

Because when in Italia...we want our prosecco, and to drink it too! ;)


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Fresh Focaccia

12/12/2019

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There's few things I love more than freshly baked focaccia. When it's still warm from the oven and crispy and has enough oil that it starts dribbling down your face. I'm a focaccia fiend! One of the first friends I made in Italy with the local focaccia lady, Carmen. Those early conversation days over a slice of fresh focaccia will always be a sweet memory.

Luckily, this addictive bread is surprisingly easy to make. A little time consuming but if you have a lazy day at home to multitask and make some fresh focaccia, it's totally worth the effort. Since it has no preservatives, it can go stale in a few days. If you don't eat it all in time, use the leftover stale focaccia to make some EPIC Panzanella! 
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Photo by Julia Gartland, Food52

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a decade of learning Italian

11/30/2019

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PictureMy first day in Florence ever! 2009
One of my favorite things about returning to Italy every summer is being able to step off the plane, walk up to the first cafe counter I can find and order a cappuccino and a pastry (or a sandwich...or all three ;) in Italian. Sometimes I get over excited about being back and end up slurring my words together but either way I end up with a cappuccino in hand.

It sometimes takes them by surprise that a little curly blonde can order in Italian. But it wasn't always this way...


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Freshly Baked Biscotti

10/22/2019

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When I was living in Austin, Texas while going to college, my aunt and uncle lived just north of me. Being avid bakers and cooks (my step-uncle is Italian), I spent many weekends and Holiday breaks up at their house learning to make some tasty Italian treats!

One of my favorites (besides focaccia) is freshly baked biscotti. Biscotti, also known as cantucci, are long, flat cookies that are baked twice...once as a flat loaf and again when cut into slices to crisp them up on all sides. I already have a weakness for freshly baked cookies but these biscotti are another level...especially with the chopped almonds, I'll justify eating a dozen because there's protein in them. 

Regardless of my addiction to sweets, these are easier to make than you might think and are great when paired with your morning cappuccino...or just after dinner as a quick dessert served with vin santo! They also make a great housewarming or hostess gift.
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Photo by Alan Richardson at The Splendid Table

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Which Week Will You Choose?

9/26/2019

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Strawberry or chocolate gelato? Red or white wine? Pizza Margarita or Pasta Carbonara? While there's no wrong answer (because, YUM!), it can be tricky choosing between two great options! 

We have a similar conundrum when it comes to our Wanderful Retreats. How do you choose between an amazing week in a villa tucked in the hills of Southern Tuscany, or an equally amazing week in the historic center of bustling Lucca?! 

While we can't pick for you (or why pick between the two, you could do both weeks ;)), we can help guide you in selecting the Wanderful Retreat week that fits you best! 

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Stracciatella Semifreddo

8/27/2019

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Photo via SBS
When the summer gets hot in Italy, most people think of cooling down with a gelato! It can be tricky to get quality gelato when you're not in la bella paese, but a quick (and easy) at home option is Semifreddo!

Semifreddo, literally meaning half cold, is a frozen treat that you can whip up at home for a simple taste of la dolce vita...even when you're walking distance from the 405 freeway!
We picked this recipe up during our Lucca retreat at our cooking class with Leela from Abbaca-la. ​

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2019 Summer Recap

7/28/2019

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The afternoon light in Cortona is hard to resist!
Ciao dear friends, it's been too long...

​This summer was an absolutely wanderful whirlwind of exploring new cities, eating delicious food, making new friends and creating amazing memories. I first traveled through Berlin, Amsterdam and London with my boyfriend and his family, before we headed to Tuscany to prep and host the retreats! After the retreats wrapped up, I flew south (waaay south) to Africa to join my boyfriend on a safari in Kenya and a canoe trip in Zambia. It was quite an adventure!

​There are SO many photos on Instagram across all my social media accounts...Sketchy Notions for peeks inside my 8th sketchbook, my own personal account for little memories, and, of course, the Wanderful Retreats Instagram for all things retreat related! But I wanted to share a few of my favorite photos and memories from the 2019 Wanderful Retreats in Castiglion Fiorentino and Lucca! 

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Tomato & Garlic Bruschetta

4/29/2019

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PicturePhoto from Simply Recipes
Oh Bruschetta...how we love thee so, and all the various forms you come in! Bruschetta is one of those dishes that's ridiculously easy to make and so satisfying every time. Especially during the summer when tomatoes are at their peak! With some fresh bread and a glass of wine, you're ready for a deliciously quick aperitivo! 

This recipe is from our lovely Villa hosts in Castiglion Fiorentino, Famiglia Buccelletti! 


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A Day in Cortona

3/29/2019

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Oh Cortona...how I love thee so. Most people know of this town because of the famous book/movie from France Mayes (who still has her famed Bramasole Villa tucked up in the hills above Cortona), it's popularity shows on any day during the summer by the throngs of tourists cruising down via Nazionale. 

When I lived in Italy during my internship, Cortona was one of the easiest towns to get to from Castiglion Fiorentino. It was a convenient bus trip away from the convent when we didn't have a lunch shift, but close enough that we could get back in time to work the dinner shift! Plus at the time, the bus picked us up at the top of our hill and dropped us off at the top of Cortona in Piazza Garibaldi! Win! 

You'll hear quite a bit of English in this town too, not just from tourists. Cortona hosts a popular study abroad program for the University of Georgia. Similar to Castiglion Fiorentino, you'll find a many expats who met their spouses while studying abroad in Italy! 

While it's a lot more crowded than it used to be, Cortona is still worth a visit for some shopping, dining and sketching!


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PO Box 853, Los Olivos, CA 93441
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