Dinner, weddings, and events in Italy; how do they do it?

Since I was a little girl I have dreamt of visiting Italy and this past August, my dreams came true.

On August 1st my journey began with one night in Naples. Seeing how I am pizza snob, I had to see for myself where the 1st pizza originated. Yes, it exceeded all of my expectations. I found myself in the kitchen trying to converse with the chefs. All I kept hearing was water, it’s in the water. So there you have it, the pizza is superior in Naples because of their water.

The second half of my journey began down the Amalfi Coast. I was excited to learn how the Italians entertained, created weddings, and drank wine. Not a detail was missed when visiting each village. From Sorrento, to Positano, to Ravello each destination presented a different flavor in cuisine and offered a charming piazza for all to enjoy their hometown settings.  The people in each appealing restaurant and boutiques were very welcoming to us and offered many samplings of their fresh homegrown fruits and vegetables.

In Sorrento, they are known for their abundance of large lemons. Therefore, I couldn’t help myself to lemon spaghetti as my main entrée followed by limoncello. In Positano, I allowed myself to indulge in their cheese and fruit platter while sitting oceanside. In Ravello, where they are known for intimate weddings for guests from around the globe, I witnessed a florist prepare at the Duomo.

My journey then took me to Rome. The people in Rome encapsulate the spirit of the city. Whenever I would pass a central café, I’d take notice that all the tables outside are filled with animated people, downing fast shots of espresso while watching nuns flutter through the streets. Each night at 9:00pm I met up with friends for a big dinner while sipping wine and having long discussions. Afterwards, we would stroll around the cobble stoned streets while sipping a cappuccino.

Rome is one of the most romantic cities to host a wedding. Nowhere else in the world can a modern, glamorous, cosmopolitan city exist, not just beside ancient wonders, but somehow twisted and blended into a whole. The excitement of the past and present are chaotic and hypnotizing to all visitors. Rome offers combination of ancient, modern, Renaissance, sophistication, and mundane.

After the hustle and bustle of Rome, it was time for relaxation in the Tuscany region. Our first day was spent with a hands-on Tuscan cooking class. The class was held at lovely estate south of Siena in a restored 900 year old flour mill. Our four course meal was followed by an apricot crostata. I took many things away from this cooking class, too many to share in a blog. I will tell you one secret: Tuscan olive oils are sold in square bottles.

It is true; the Tuscan’s take a siesta from 1:00-4:00pm. Amazing! By the 2nd day, I found myself getting into their routine. With no access to the internet, I found myself the most stress-free I have been in a long time. I savored all the flavors, aromas and scents of the traditional Tuscan way of life. My days were lived to the fullest; with laughter and sun-drenched pleasures. I especially enjoyed watching the sun drop slowly down behind the hillside while sipping a cool glass of wine.
Now that I am home, I vow to try and live a simpler life. A siesta everyday would be frowned upon; however a lunch or coffee with friend or two at 1:00pm would be a nice start.

Ciao,

Christina