Custom Italian Travel Planning for Unforgettable Moments

Ciao!

If you noticed that the newsletter is late this month, thanks for being such eager readers!  

 

If you didn't notice, forget I even said anything! Hahaha

 

I was in Disney World earlier this month for my youngest daughter's National Competitive Cheer competition.  Disney and I are not simpatico to say the least, and as such, I got a little derailed.  

 

But since we know Italy and I are most definitely VERY simpatico, there's now way I was going to skip sharing about the region of Liguria.  Plus, it was extra fun to dig in on this region since this is where we'll be spending our summer vacation this year.  

 

Non vediamo l'ora!!! (We can't WAIT!)

Built in 1897, this is one of Italy's Grand Dame hotels, but it still manages to blend the classic old-world Italian elegance with modern luxuries. 

 

History and chandeliers - check. 

USB ports and an on-premise gelateria - also check. 

 

Imagine waking up to the sounds of the Mediterranean right outside your window and then walking straight out the doors to the hotel's private beach club.  I already did, and that's why we're booked for this summer.  My girls are going to freak when they realize how accessible the gelato will be!

 

I'll be sure to report back in between sips of Aperol Spritz!

The Ligurian town of Sanremo hosts the Italian song festival held each year in February, named….Festival di Sanremo or just Sanremo.  This theater has been the host of the Festival since 1977, but the festival itself is much older.  The first contest was held in 1951, making Sanremo the longest-running annual TV music competition in the world on a national level.

 

This festival is a BIG DEAL in Italy, and the winner goes on to represent Italy at Europe's big song festival, Eurovision. If you've never watched Eurovision before, I highly recommend it.  The movie Eurovision Song Contest starring Will Ferrell really isn't all that far off from the spectacle of the real thing.

 

So mark your calendars for May 17 and be ready to cheer on Sanremo 2025's winner, Olly with his song, “Balorda nostalgia”! 

 

Forza Olly! (Go Olly!)

Did anyone else get SUPER annoyed when Rachel Ray used to always say E.V.O.O. whenever she was cooking with extra virgin olive oil?  Me too and yet it pops into my head EVERY TIME I think about olive oil.  Argh.

 

Anyway, olives and olive oil can be found all over Italy and the oils vary in color and flavor based on the terrain of the area and the olives that are grown there.  Ligurian olive oil tends to be more delicate than the more robust southern oils.

 

I am certainly not an olive oil expert, and the best way to learn is often from the farmers and olive oil producers themselves.  So when in Liguria, don't miss the chance to visit an olive farm up in the hills overlooking the coast and taste the Ligurian olive oil for yourself!

 

p.s. there is no better snack than olive oil poured onto a fresh piece of bread!

Making fresh pasta by hand is hard enough, making corzetti takes an extra level of dedication.

 

Roll out a thin sheet of dough, and then stamp delicate circles with a two-sided  stamp. Repeat until you have a TON of circles.

 

Corzetti were originally named after the Genovan coin they once resembled.  Then the aristocrats realized they could put their crest on the stamp in a very southern “if it doesn't move, monogram it” way.  Now, most modern stamps have floral and maritime designs that honor Liguria's coastal identity. 

 

I shouldn't have to tell you that if you come across corzetti on a menu, you should definitely order them - and then snap that food porn pic!

I am generally a Negroni purist, but I can be convinced that a non-traditional version can be spectacular - like the Conte Camillo Negroni I had at Grand Hotel Fasano on Lake Garda.  So - I'm intrigued by this white Negroni recipe from Portofino Gin, a Ligurian Gin company.

 

Their Negroni Bianco replaces Campari with Bitter Bianco and Sweet Vermouth with Dry Vermouth, thus eliminating the red and brown liquors in favor of white.
 

Wondering what Bitter Bianco is?   I was too.  (Pretty bottle - adding to bar cart ASAP!)  

If you try this before me, let me know how it is!  I will definitely be ordering one this summer if I don't end up making it home before then.