"Travel Groupies"
 

"The Travel Groupies"!! Just a chance for us addicts to say hi and touch base with the others afflicted with the same problem.
Hi Countrymouse, Barb, Elaine (I'd love to learn more about you. You are amazing), Scarlett, Bobthenav. Rex, Ira and everyone else. Hi and thanks Socialworker for my title.
1st general question to keep this going: Best recent vaction book (I'll be in Italy if that helps)?

ttt

Well, I am not sure I am a groupie rather than an addict, but for Tuscany you need to read VANILLA BEANS & BRODO by Isabella Dusi. It will get you into the heads of real Tuscans and their lives. It is all about life in Montalcino as seen thru the eyes of this transplanted Aussie. You can see my review at Amazon.com. We had the pleasure of spending a Sunday morning with her last Oct. Her new book is BEL VINO but is not easily obtained in the USA as yet.

Reading "Leonardo: The Artist and the Man" by Serge Bramley
1. because I want to know about LdaV
2. because we're going to Amboise soon

Bonjour panucci!
My most recent book took place in Provence, so I am useless :)
But I am reading my Food & Wine Italian recipe book :)

Since I couldn't cite anything good for you, I went Amazon-surfing.

Take a look at "Pasquale's Nose: Idle Days in an Italian Town" - - and if that doesn't seem like your cup of tea, then something here might work for you...

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Customers who bought this book also bought:

A Valley in Italy by Lisa St. Aubin de Teran

A Thousand Days in Venice: An Unexpected Romance (Ballantine Reader's Circle) by Marlena De Blasi

An Italian Affair by LAURA FRASER

Ciao, America: An Italian Discovers the U.S by Beppe Severgnini, Giles Watson

The Hills of Tuscany: A New Life in an Old Land by Ferenc Mate

============================

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi Panucci,

Rex beat me to it, but I was going to suggest A Thousand Days in Venice, also. Under the Tuscan Sun is a nice read, although it's nothing like the movie. It's very descriptive to get you in the Italian mood, though. A Room with a View is also a good book.

If you'll be in Southern Tuscany you might enjoy Iris Origo's "War in Val d'Orcia" and "Images and Shadows".

We stayed in one of the rentals at La Foce, her former home, and found the area history in both books very interesting.

The estate offers tours of the gardens, which, depending on the time of year that you are there, are beautiful.

I just finished 1000 days in Venice and its wonderful.

Extra Virgin is the title, I don't remember the author. About two women who take jobs at a vineyard in northern italy.

I'll chime in with 1,000 Days in Venice as a real page-turner.

If you're in Venice I can also recommend Venetian Dreaming by Paula Weideger. Weideger becomes intrigued with a pink palazzo on Fondamente Nuove and rents part of it for a year.

For Florence - Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King.

I found "War in Val d'Orcia" rather tedious. I'm glad I read it, but had to take it in small doses over several weeks.

"Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Bella Tuscany" are among my favorite books of all time. (The movie was a joke.) Her descriptions of Etruscan art, the color of the sun, etc. Oh, sigh. I may have to read them again.

I'm currently reading "Botticelli Blue Skies" by Merrill Joan Gerber. She and her husband moved to Florence while he taught art history. I'm enjoying it because she goes so many places I'm planning to visit in February.

Which one do you guys recommend next: Brunelleschi's Dome, 1000 days, or Vanilla Beans?

Hi Panucci:

I just finished Almost French, which I REALLY enjoyed and I am now into Me Talk Pretty One Day. I just received Vanilla Beans and Brodo, which will be my travel book for upcoming trip to Tuscany,(together with 2nd Bridget Jones Diary book for the plane) I have been saving the Da Vinci Code to read right before I leave. Enjoyed Angels and Demons too. Stopped reading A Place in Normandy by Nicholas Kilmer, just didn't care for his writing style. Still hoping to catch up with you in Tuscany!

Hi panucci,

Aside from some others already mentioned; and some that I now look forward to reading, I enjoyed "As the Romans Do" by Alan Epstein too.

I'd add "Dances with Luigi" to this list. Much preferred it to Pasquale's Nose.

And, Annie Hawes wrote Extra Virgin. She has a sequel out. Like Bel Vino, the sequel to Isabella Duse's Vanilla Beans & Brodo, it is not available in the US. Go to amazon's UK site for these two.

I was entranced by War in Val d'Orcia. Preferred it to Origo's autobiography, Images and Shadows. In part, I think, because it was so immediate in her writing in the former book, whcih in fact was a diary.

I don't know if I should respond or go directly to amazon.com.
Thanks for the research Rex!
I read and enjoyed Under The Tuscan Sun. Didn't love An Italian Affair own, but have not read 1000 Days in Venice. There are 3 or 4 listed that sound very interesting.
Scarlett, I have a very good Risotto recipe if you're interested. You can tell me the wine to serve with it.
Thanks everone I can't wait to check them out tonight....almost as much fun as this.
Barb, Angels and Demons had very interesting information on Rome and The Da Vinci Code is fun. I own, but again haven't read, Me Talk Pretty One Day. I am reading The Other Boleyn Girl now. Very good!

Hi panucci, I'll add two old but excellant books.
"The italians" by Luigi Barzini'
"The Leopard" by Giuseppi di Lampedusa

Hi panucci, thank you!
I am always open to recipes. I have quite a collection of cookbooks :) so when I am without a good mystery, I can always go read a recipe or two LOL

With risotto, the Yankee would drink Chardonnay , I only drink red wine so I would probably have seltzer , haha!

panucci, I'd love to read your recipe. These are the wines I marry with the recipes that I use here.
http://www.thewinenews.com/octnov00/cuisine.html

Mimi- Great article about risotto!
On a cold fall or winter day, my favorite is risotto with sausage and truffles (an Umbrian recipe). And Scarlett- It's best with a hearty red wine!

My favorite Risotto that I have made so far was in the spring, made with asparagus. Mimi has given me recipes that are wonderful, with cepes~

Sorry, no Italian themed books lately, but I did just read 1 book "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister" that takes place in Haarlem, The Netherlands in the 1600's. The author also wrote the play thats a musical on Bd'way called "Wicked". The other book is a must read for anyone who really loves to read. Its called" The Kite Runner". Its about Afghanistan, and it probably won't make you want to go there, but it is an amazing story, beautiful and heartbreaking. I know its fiction, but I have a stronh feeling its based on fact. What it does more then anything is reinforce what travel abroad teaches us, no matter how strange other customs are we are all basically the same, and want the same things peace, good health and alittle happiness for ourselves and our loved ones.

Thanks for new thread Panucci.
It took me back to my first trip abroad without my parents when I was 16 and travelling with three friends and felt VERY grown up and hoplessly overexcited.. As I was leaving my mother thrust a small volume in my hand and said youll need this and dont drink the water! Bless her that was the extent of her 'interference' although she must have been riddled with worry and dying to grab me and say ''dont go darling''. Anyway I digress. It turned out to be a small Italian phrase book once owned by my grandfather and on the plane over we were kept in fits of laughter from the 'valuable' phrases within, such as
''Are there seperate quarters for my maid?'', ''and where may I purchase a button hook?''. All absolutely essential information when travelling in the sixties!
One of my most lingering memories was my first taste of Pizza, a delicacy unknown at that time in England. It was in a small pizzaria in Diano Marino and we sat outside on rickety tables in the warm evening sun and watched facinated as the cooks twirled the dough around their heads, and they actually sang 'O sole mio' as they did! The result was ambrosia and however many pizza recipes I've tried since I've never been able to recreate that sublime first taste. Maybe you Fodors foodies out there can help me out. Scarlett you will have to delve within your collection of cookery books for me.
I'd love your risotto recipe Panucci, I bet with a name like yours it will be the genuine article!
I'm afraid my reading of late has been of the frivalous 'sun bed' variety and has consisted of light 'Mariyln Keays' type stuff with the odd 'bodice ripper' thrown in for good measure but you never know if I study this thread I may pick up some good titles and 'improve my mind'.
Off to the library so I can 'hold my end up' in the thread!
Ciao bella's!
And if ever you need a button hook in Italy I'm your woman!
CM

We make risotto al funghi about once every 10 days. I follow the recipe from an Italian chef in Gstaad. We usually use an Italian white, although we've just brought home 8 cases of Sancerre after a recent trip to central France and it seems to work well. Cigalechanta, that article makes cooking risotto sound a lot more complicated than it is...it's an easy dish once you get the hang of it and you have access to the right ingredients (i.e., real risotto rice from Italy).
On a train ride from Nice to Como, it was interesting to see the rice fields in northern Italy.

This might be a good place to ask if anyone has received a magazine offer recently for a stunner called something like "Lake Life"? I misplaced the thing before sending back the "free sample copy please" card. Are you familiar with it? Thanks, J.

Hi everyone,
Zwho, Kite Runner is on my night stand. Two books you might like are Sister of My Heart and Vine Of Desire, about two girls growing up in India. Is Wicked the one about the wicked witch of the west, from her perspective? His books sound interesting and fun.
CM, What great memories, do you still have the phrase book? How funny!
I'm feeling a little self conscious about my risotto now....I married a Panucci who is also Scotish/English, But my friend from Rome liked it. I will email it to anyone who is interested and would love any risotto recipes that you have. Risotto is not hard it is just a slow loving process. I usually use the same recipe and add whatever I'm in the mood for, sun dried tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms....If you want the recipe send me your email [email protected]

that's the way to do it. Some additions add color to the dish.I use aborio rice from Italy but I have heard that the Carnaroli is better. Has anyone tried this.

Hi Panucci,

My name is Melodie, and I AM a travel addict!

I just pop in from time to time to view the postings, so I'm not a "regular", but I do have an interest in Italy, cooking, wine and travel books, so I guess I qualify!

I make a pretty great risotto, enjoy a glass of wine with it, and you're going to Amboise, which was my favorite place in my 3 week trip to France last year. Make sure to visit Clos du Luce, which you'll enjoy!

Regards,

Melodie

Hi Everyone, Busy weekend
Though I can't write my risotto recipe ( too long) I will share my mother-in-law's wonderful potatoes
Cut potatoes in to large cubes, place in large baking dish. Pour Marsala over potatoes coving them about 1/2 way or more and add oil to almost completely cover. Add salt and pepper (I also add a bit of fresh rosemary), bake at 400 degrees until wine is absorbed and the tops are browned, an hour+. Not only are they wonderful, but you home will smell great! The more Marsala the sweeter the potatoes.

OK, lets get this going again: Favorite Italian seen in a movie or movie made in Italy? Mine would be Bread and Tulips, but there were some beautiful seens in Under The Tuscan Sun, though not a great movie.

panucch, amico mio,
Lady "L" is first gen IT, but the best (3 wild) mushroom Risotto we ever had was @ l'Invito in San Miguel de Allende, MX - 1/2 price 16:00-19:00 M-F, lol.
M

My favorite movie filmed in Italy? Hmmm....so many to choose from. I'd guess I'll go with "Summertime" with Katherine Hepburn for the wonderful images of Venice.

Hey Panucci--I had not yet read your post and was just about to type Bread and Tulips in response to Statia!! I think we must have some weird ESP connection!!!

If you want to read a some good books try

1) Love and War in the Appenines by Eric Newby

2) A Small Place in Italy by Eric Newby

3) The Collected Traveler, Tuscany and Umbria by Barrie Kerper

I JUST picked up Extra Virgin, Sixteen Pleasures and The Hills of Tuscany, now I'll have to go back to the bookstore. Actually they ordered Vanilla Beans and Brodo so I have to go back anyway. Thanks buongiorno
Mikemo- But can we get the recipe????:-d

I just read that the English Patient was filmed in Siena, Montepulciano and Pienza. Have to rent that one again before I leave in Oct.

See TEA WITH MUSSOLINI !
The ENGLISH PATIENT scenes are a nite scene in Pienza, and the main house where he was kept in bed---that one is the SANTA ANNA IN CAMPRENA north of Pienza---a good map will have " Santa Anna" marked. There are famous frescoes there and the drive is one of the best in Tuscany.

"Paris was Yesterday" - a compilation of Janet Flanner's letters for the New Yorker.

Interesting I searched the forum for "Santo Fico" and was surprised this novel apparently hasn't been mentioned by anyone before.

About four months ago, I noticed a novel at the library called <i>The Miracles of Santo Fico</i> by D. L. Smith. Picked it up and found it to be a charming story. It's set in a ficticious tiny village on the Tuscan coast near Grosseto and centers around an old village priest, four childhood friends (now adults), and the &quot;Miracle and Mystery&quot; in the church in Santo Fico.

I am a &quot;travel groupie&quot; I enjoyed &quot;Dances with Luigi&quot; and loved the movie &quot;Tea with Mussolini&quot; My trip last September I got lots of Info from Ira. I am going again next September and writting everything down. Just got a great idea from Bob the navigater.

Lulu, I will just miss you. I'm leaving Sept 30th. Where are you traveling to?

Claro Panucc,
But I'll have to sell my soul for the 875th time!
M