Travel tips-Restaurant reviews-Recipes
It was my friend Antonio, who comes from Turin, who told me about Villa della Regina (Villa of the Queen) on the outskirts of the city. I wondered if it was a bit far to walk, but a google search told me it was just 36 minutes by foot from my hotel. I set off […]
Read MoreTre Gallini was recommended to me the first time I came to Turin by someone involved in the Slow Food Movement – which began in Turin – back in London. On my last visit I mistakenly booked into the restaurant’s more informal wine bar, Enoteca Tre Galli, which I liked a lot. But this visit […]
Read MoreI’ve clearly fallen a little in love with Turin as I’m back for a third visit in just over two years. It’s such a beautiful city and a veritable foodie’s paradise – home of chocolate, home of vermouth, glorious local wines like Barolo, and the home of the Slow Food Movement. It’s also home to […]
Read MoreWhy go? I’ve been wanting to go to Siena for years and years and have just missed it a number of times for various reasons, even when quite close. A lot of people visit it as a day trip from places like Florence. I thought of doing that last year while spending five days […]
Read MoreI had such a lovely time in Siena last week and my stay was enhanced by the warm welcome I received at Antica Residenza Cicogna. I often book a hotel through British Airways, as I usually fly with them, and invariably get a good deal. But they didn’t have a hotel that appealed on their […]
Read MoreIt’s especially nice to have a good meal on the last evening of a holiday. Sometimes I go back to a place I’ve been to early on and liked a lot, but when you’re only staying somewhere for 4 nights that’s not so practical. And anyway, from my long list of possible places to eat, […]
Read MoreAs I’m only here in Siena for 4 days, I was pleased to discover that one of the days – Wednesday – is the weekly market day. Having walked around and looked over Piazza del Mercato behind the Campo so often, I assumed that’s where the market would be. Fortunately, Elisa was sitting in Reception […]
Read MoreMy waking thoughts are so much governed by food that for me to feel a holiday has truly been good, I have to find at least one exceptional restaurant that satisfies my passion for a great meal and a great eating experience. Luckily Siena came up trumps tonight. It’s not that I’ve had bad meals; […]
Read MoreAfter the rain and thunderstorms yesterday, it was lovely to wake to sun and the promise of a fine day. I’m quite an early bird so I was out and ready to explore before 9. Siena is busy with large groups of tourists during the day as it’s a popular destination for a day trip […]
Read MoreI had breakfast early in the B&B, took things slowly and wrote a blog post, and by the time I went out it was definitely time for mid-morning coffee. I headed for Caffe Nannini which my son had recommended and is one of the best-known cafes in the city. I queued at the till, Italian […]
Read More