The date was declared a national holiday but in typical Italian fashion controversy set in and not everyone agreed to celebrate.

But while some Italians celebrated and will continue to do so throughout the year our friends in Japan are in need of help and support.

If you haven’t already, please consider making a donation to the tsunami and earthquake relief efforts. The loss and trauma of this disaster is staggering.  To help, click the Japanese flag to be linked to The American Red Cross website.

Thank you.

Leslie

Maschere (Masks), costumes and festival sweets, chiacchierare and tortelli, were everywhere.

What I didn’t expect was the silly string spray fights and a piazza covered in confetti.

An unexpected site in front of Milano’s imposing Duomo…

And this was just the beginning of the party.

Two hours later this piazza was a battle field of silly spray, that unfortunately forced me to keep my camera in it’s case.

But hopefully these photos convey some of the day’s atmosphere.

Leslie

In terms of cameras…

I packed my iPhone and Point and Shoot and left my DSLR at home.

That wasn’t easy but given the weather and the limited time I’m glad I left the heavy SLR at home.

These were a few of my favorites.  I hope you like them too.

Enjoy!

Leslie

It’s dirty, the cars and scooters are unruly, ordering coffee at a bar can leave you exhausted, and the only time people move quickly is when ordering food.

But it’s the only place I know where it’s okay to take your time and walk slow.

Once a great empire, this city has nothing to prove.

Life is no longer about ruling and controlling, it’s about relaxing and enjoying…

My kind of place…

Enjoy!

Leslie

And have started the New Year off right…

By pushing my friend Mapie to come with me to Rome.

We toured, we talked, we relaxed, we ate (everything), we shopped and one of us spoke a lot of Italian.

And did I mention it was between 50-60 degrees and sunny every day.

Rome was very good to us, the only difficult part was saying goodbye but I’m sure we’ll be back for another visit.

Enjoy!

Leslie

This weeks theme is “My Summer In Review” and I’m taking on the challenging with a few more photos from my time in Europe.

Although my summer has been filled with a lot of stress searching for work my time in Rome and France was a reprieve from all the problems and gave me time to focus on my camera.

I’m lucky to have good friends in beautiful places.

And although the travel is great I can’t forget how I kicked off my summer…

How cute is he!

Enjoy!

Leslie

“According to experts, almost any type of holiday can be a health benefit to some degree because people tend to be happier and less stressed when they anticipate them and while they’re away.”*

A clear indicator to me why Italians appear to be happy, they take their vacations.

And although they may venture abroad to exotic destinations as Paris or New York, most Italian vacations are a pilgrimage to the sea and priorities include working on their tan, mangiare bene (eating well), and maybe some physical activity (what good is a tan if it’s not on a nice physique).

A typical vacation day may include, a coffee and cookie breakfast (or maybe cornetto if you head to the local bar), time at the beach or pool relaxing in the sun, reading the paper, un bel pranzo (a nice lunch), un pisolino (a nap), a wake up coffee, a few errands, gelato, a nice dinner and repeat for 10 days.  And remember, no connecting to the office because your boss and colleagues are also on vacation.

As Americans, especially New Yorkers, it may be hard to imagine disconnecting and simply doing nothing, but like a serving of fresh fruit it’s very healthy.

So if you haven’t had an escape this summer or are already in need of another, take a few minutes to relax and enjoy this visually healthy escape – calorie free and sunscreen optional.

Enjoy!

Leslie

*Conde Nast Traveler September 2009

Here are a few recent discoveries and old favorites to consider…as travel books are not only a source of information, they are a source of enjoyment.

F R A N C E

Alastair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay French Bed & Breakfast 11th Edition

An amazing, well researched guide on French B&B’s.   Other additions include Paris Hotels, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Mountains of Europe and French Holiday Homes

P A R I S

Patisseries of Paris by Jamie Cahill

This small chic guidebook is essential for anyone who wants to experience Paris through its stylish cafes and mouth watering sweets.  Published by The Little Bookroom, this company does niche travel guides to the world’s best loved cities like no other.

Hungry for Paris The Ultimate Guide To The City’s 102 Best Restaurants by Alexander Lobrano

Not only is this a great guide for restaurants it is a wonderful cultural guide to dining in Paris.

R O M E

Footprint Italia Rome

This guide may be hard to find in the US but it is a concise, well organized guide to Rome.  Their website www.footprintbooks.com is a feast of guidebooks categorized by destinations and activities.  Other additions include Madrid, Tuscany, Sicily and Venice.

The Terroir Guide Food & Wine Rome

Another series published by The Little Bookroom.  This guide is a veritable reference to the local food, wine, markets, artisans and restaurants of Rome.   Other additions include Budapest and The Italian Riviera with more on the way.

romastaordinaria

This guide, a recent discovery, is not easy to find.  Written in English and Italian it is part of a series of guides to Italian cities that are published each summer.  The guide features shops, restaurants, hotels, bookstores, shopping services and new cultural activities that due to their quality and personality are all “extraordinary”.   A visit to their website www.italiastraordinaria.it will give you a taste for this unique series of guidebooks.

So whether you are preparing for a trip, need a gift or simply want a little escape to dream and drool about future adventures a travel book may be just what you need.

Enjoy!

Leslie

My friend Stefy is no exception, she says she never learned to cook but meals at her table are not only delicious they are beautiful.

In Italy eating well could be qualified as a sport.  It is a constant topic of conversation and everything from pasta to gelato is consistently rated and compared.  Era buono (it was good), era buonissimo (it was really good), era troppo buono (it was too good – I often use this when speaking about gelato), quello era meglio (that one was better).

When times are tough in Italy, a negative economy, a corrupt government, a labyrinth of bureaucracy , the one certainty for Italians is mangiare (to eat) and of course mangiare bene (to eat well).  When you can slow down and enjoy a freshly prepared meal of simple ingredients it is medication for the soul.

Stefy is an expert, her shopping list is simple and always includes fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread and meat.  Her time in the kitchen seems effortless. Steaming spinaci (spinach) in the morning before starting her day or soaking ceci (chick peas) in the evening to be sautéed the next day.

Whether serving one or a group she is always ready to pull something together… fiselle topped with diced tomato and herbs, sautéed bell peppers, slightly bitter arugula seasoned with olive oil, salt and balsamic vinegar, a plate of buttery prosciutto and bread fresh from the bakery (not a plastic bag).  Whether breakfast, lunch or dinner food is always enjoyed on a table setting of colorful placemats and napkins with a change of plates between every course to not mix flavors.

I think she needs to open her kitchen to share her secrets of her buona cucina (good cooking).  I will let you know when the courses start.

But until then take a few minutes to enjoy a few images of Stefy’s cooking and think about how you can slow down your next meal, bringing a few fresh Italian staples to the table or colorful placemats and maybe enjoying it just a little bit more.

Enjoy!

Leslie

My friend Stefania (Stefy) took me on my first motorino (scooter) ride in Rome and I have been hooked ever since.  Just seeing a Vespa makes me happy, it is an immediate escape to all things Italian.

People always ask me if driving a Vespa in New York is dangerous…well it isn’t for everyone but in some cities motorini (scooters) are a necessity.

Young, old, with or without a passenger, talking on the telefonino (phone) or my personal favorite driving with one hand on cobblestones, in Rome everyone rides motorini.

I am hoping they become a necessity in New York.  I am certain the more Vespas I see, the happier I will be.

In Rome the city center is almost always closed to cars but always open to motorini.  Driving or parking a car in the historic center requires a special pass.  Public transportation is an option but as most things Roman, it is incredibly slow.

A motorino is the only way to quickly circulate and manage the city’s stifling traffic.

Driving in Rome, I wouldn’t dare…plus as a passenger I can film and snap photos.

If you have never been on a Vespa or have never visited Rome, what would be better than a quick escape to experience both – no insurance needed.

Click play on the video below and vai (go)!!!!!!  Sorry no English subtitles.

Enjoy!

Leslie