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Recent Posts
- Montreal Jazz 2020: Special Edition!
- My Montecatini
- Three Boroughs, Three Olives, 33 Hours
- Montecarlo
- Siena: Golden Light
- Boo! Halloween in Pistoia
- Florence: Fashion & Friendship
- Eating Montreal
- Take A Bow
- Goodnight You Moonlight Ladies
- Portland, Maine: Where To Stay?
- Fab at 40: Montréal Jazz Fest
- Art in Bloom: The Sequel
- Boston: Art in Bloom, Part 1
- Born To Run
- Portland Maine’s Rising Tide
- Montreal: Off the Beaten Track
- Saveur et Savoir: Montreal Jazz 2018
- Como Cool
- Election Day
- Mediterranean Mother Lode
- Sicilian Chocolate: Savory and Supreme
- Festa!
- Magnifici Mosaici
- Pizza Noto Style
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Category Archives: Off-the-beaten-track
My Montecatini
Montecatini Terme is a happy Tuscan mix of art, culture, and legendary spa scene. Belle Époque is the graceful era between 1890 and 1914 when Montecatini developed its elegant spa-style. Art Nouveau bathhouses set in a verdant, landscaped parks offered … Continue reading
Three Boroughs, Three Olives, 33 Hours
These are perilous times, and my democracy grief is overpowering. No one is selling tickets for civility and truth, so I grab tickets to Medea at Brooklyn Academy of Music. BAM’s contemporary production is harrowing and utterly relatable. Based on … Continue reading
Florence: Fashion & Friendship
I arrive on a golden Tuscan morning, hire a car and check into centrally located Hotel Malaspina. The B&B’s cheerful staff, robust breakfasts, Wifi, rooftop terrace, cozy rooms and free valet parking (yes, I said free valet parking) make it … Continue reading
Posted in Art and Culture, Food and Wine, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Travel, Tuscany
Tagged Florence, Malaspina, Uffizi
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Eating Montreal
Montreal’s burgeoning food scene rivals any “best of” city, even my tasty little hometown of Portland, Maine. Glowing fruit and vegetables in mysterious heirloom varieties, divine buffalo mozzarella, robust cider vinegar, flinty wines, and oh, the duck! Pillowy gnocchi and … Continue reading
Take A Bow
It’s a long and winding road to Montreal. Hours of rural Maine, New Hampshire and a tiny slice of Vermont zip by before we cross into the rolling hills of Canada. We pause at leafy Café Ailleurs for our annual bonjour … Continue reading
Posted in Canada, East Coast Travel, Festivals, Food and Wine, Holiday Travel, International, Jazz Festival, Maine, Montreal, Music, Off-the-beaten-track, Quebec
Tagged Buddy Guy, Erik Truffaz, George Benson, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, Montreal Jazz Festival, Norah Jones, Richard Galliano, Roberto Fonseca, Ron Carter, Steve Gadd
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Born To Run
My pal theater boy somehow scores tickets to Bruce Springsteen on Broadway. Magic, sleight of hand and surprise are just a few of his many gifts. We arrive rumpled and in need of a recharge. It is not quite noon. … Continue reading
Posted in Art and Culture, Documentary Film, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine, New York City, Off-the-beaten-track, Theater, Travel
Tagged Brooklyn, Carmignano, Eataly, epicurean travel, food and wine, hospitality, Italian cuisine, Margolis-Pineo, Mario Batali, New York City, Springsteen on Broadway, Springsteen set list
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Montreal: Off the Beaten Track
Oh Canada It is July 1, Canada Day, and we’re basking in the grace and civility of this world-class city despite the surprising heatwave — it’s 95 degrees and climbing. We walk the riverbank in Montreal’s Old Port stalking a cool … Continue reading
Como Cool
We’re in the heart of downtown Como on via Dante, across from the imposing peaks that characterize the lake. We watch the changing light from our expansive, columned deck.Our apartment is a comfy version of Italian modern — upscale, sleek and … Continue reading
Posted in Food and Wine, Italian Travel, Lake Como, Off-the-beaten-track
Tagged George Clooney, Italian Art & Culture, Italy
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Election Day
Interesting to be here during a national election, as Italian populists and far-right reveal their mutual discontent with taxes, unemployment and immigration. David has been wearing his “Bernie” shirt which yesterday inspired a €3 discount on a liter of Artumes.
Posted in International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Travel, Tuscany
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Sicilian Chocolate: Savory and Supreme
Chocolate is a sublime experience. My brother-in-law Stevie has eaten chocolate all over the globe, and he will tell you, there is nothing like a superb piece of chocolate. Here in Sicily, morning cappuccino is always served with little bite … Continue reading
Posted in Chocolate, Food and Wine, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Sicily, Travel
Tagged Modica, Noto
3 Comments