I snicker when I hear a newbie European traveler say they want to rent a car in Italy. Yes, traffic signs are in Italian and they drive fast. But, how hard can it be, right?
I try to tell them there are different rules for driving in the city than there are for driving in the country. Then, there's driving the autostrada where another set of rules apply. Plus, it takes a special kind of skill to survive the Italian roads -- a fearless fortitude!
Our last drive in Italy was strangely easy. Maybe because we are becoming veterans at it. More likely, it seemed easier because it was low tourist season and less traffic was on the road! Even still, there were brief moments of trepidation. Safely at home, we can now laugh about those moments! Take a look:
I thought for sure I was making a big mistake planning to stay three days in Bruges, Belgium. The town is small enough that most visitors only day-trip it there from Brussels. Yet, staying three days was the only way I could make it work in my travel itinerary.
Now, I don't understand how anyone could possibly leave after only one day. I didn't want to leave after three! I am completely and utterly in love with Bruges! It may be small in size, but it is big in so many other ways. I will have more posts coming on Bruges, but for now, I want to show you why I fell in love with this town.
While surfing the internet for Italian restaurants in New York City, I stumbled upon a new marketplace featuring foods and wine from Italy. So, I knew I had to check it out during last week's visit!
I had read that Eataly was the largest artisanal food and wine marketplace in the world, but nothing could have prepared me for the sensory overload I faced when I walked in! The 50,000-square-foot retail center (yes, it makes Central Market look like a roadside vegetable stand!) located at 200 Fifth Avenue features Italian delicacies and wine, an educational center, and array of boutique eateries. Features include cured meats and cheeses, fruits and vegetables, fresh meats, fresh fish, handmade pasta, desserts, baked goods and coffees.
The Eataly concept was started by Oscar Farinetti in Turin, Italy. There are currently 6 locations in Italy, 3 in Japan, and now (thanks to Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Lidia Bastianich) we have an Eataly in New York.
It's a fancy grocery store offering the best of everything. Want fresh hand-made mozzarella? They've got it! Need a butcher's assistance with a special cut of meat? They've got it! Don't have time to cut up your vegetables for tonight's meal? No worries, let the Vegetable Butcher handle it! Gelato! Panini! A cooking school! A bookstore! A coffee bar! There's even a 300-seat, 6,000-square-foot rooftop partially-enclosed beer garden on the 15th floor. The only thing missing is a ferris wheel!
The place was packed when I visited, almost to deafening decibel levels. But, the enthusiasm among the foodies inside was exhilarating! If I could only do one thing on my next visit to NYC, a stop in Eataly just might make the top of the list!
In preparation for a presentation this week, I created a small video as a visual aide for promoting my travel services. More than that, I hope it inspires my audience to travel and discover some of the wonderful places I've discovered over the years. I hope it inspires you, too!
