In May, we visited the Italian region of Molise, which you find sandwiched between northern Puglia and southern Abruzzo.We arrived in Molise from Caserta, in Campania, without any booked accommodation and free of an itinerary. You can do that in May in many of the less-visited parts of Italy.One thing we did pre-arrange was a... Continue Reading →
Photo diary: Around Scanno
Arriving in Scanno is a feat with its torturous winding roads, one-way tunnels, and breathtaking scenery. Once there, you have to navigate skinny roads that climb upwards (and hope no one is coming at you) to find a narrow parking spot. But it's all worth it when you step out and breathe the mountain air. Scanno is a... Continue Reading →
A slow bike ride and a Slow Food lunch in Pacentro
On a dark and very rainy day in 2013, I first visited Pacentro, a medieval village perched at 690 meters above sea level on the side of Monte Morrone, near Sulmona. Lucky to be in Sulmona again in this year, I decided to see nearby Pacentro in the sunshine. I thought, "I'll rent a bike for... Continue Reading →
Bringing Abruzzo Home
Normally, at home in Australia we pride ourselves on how lucky we are to have a great climate (mediterranean, in the case of Adelaide) which gives us access to a variety of fresh local food and produce, year round. Living by the low food miles philosophy is possible here. Sometimes I break from the philosophy,... Continue Reading →
Food inspiration ~ Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli
Food inspiration takes many forms: a favourite meal remembered, a key ingredient you've been wanting to try, a special request from a loved one, a new recipe. Well, my beloved husband Roo has been the lucky recipient of a new kitchen tool, a little press for cutting out ravioli. This is his inspiration. I... Continue Reading →
Italy ~ a nation of foodies
When in Italy, the conversation always turns to food. Whether on the bus, riding a bike along the lungomare (seaside esplanade), sitting on the train, waiting at the post office, at a coffee bar, with friends and family. It's everywhere. There is talk about foods in season, the price of cheese, the colour of apricots,... Continue Reading →
Day trip from Sulmona to Scanno
If you find yourself in Sulmono, a town in the L'Aquila province within the Abruzzo region, 'senza macchina' - without a car - it is worth the effort to catch the local bus to picturesque Scanno. And if you go on a school day when the teenagers from Scanno are travelling home from Sulmona, expect... Continue Reading →
Learning to be a better blogger in Abruzzo
I have to admit that the idea of going to Abruzzo to learn more about the art and craft of blogging has struck some of my friends and colleagues as an odd thing. To be honest, most of them have never heard of Abruzzo. Unless, of course it's just the humorous mention of it by... Continue Reading →
An Italian Obsession
Follow my blog with Bloglovin It started with a photo. My grandparent's wedding photo. I always had a sense that we were different. My mother's parents had a funny accent when they spoke English and they talked real loud. My friends couldn't understand our grandfather. I was used to it and explained that my Pop-Pop... Continue Reading →