 TM
GelatoFinding Italy’s Best Gelateria’s
By Michael McGarryReviewed by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady This is the book I should have written. Not just because I love to write, but I could go on an ice-cream diet and be totally happy. Especially if I was doing it in Italy, land of the world’s best ice creams and gelatos.
 My favorite food group is chocolate. And you can read about this passion at www.chocolateatlas.com
But ice cream is a very close second. In Italy, Gelato is prized as much as frescoes and devoured as passionately as pasta. It is more than just the Italian equivalent of ice cream: it is a way of life. For centuries Italians have been perfecting the creation of this intensely flavored delicacy and today an  elite class of gelaterias proudly continues this gelato tradition. Happy Belly’s Gelato is a must-have for travelers seeking the inside scoop on the best of the best gelaterias, where the limone is always tart, the pistachio creamy, and the chocolate is sinful. The book includes: Reviews of over fifty gelaterias located within Italy’s most visited cities. Addresses, directions and maps that lead you to their doors Special tips and info on Gelato Lore sections Glossary of over seventy-five flavors
  If you don’t have a trip to Italy on your calendar, I advise you put this book under your pillow and dream.
Gelato
Finding Italy’s best Gelaterias
Happy Belly Guide
Fancy Pants Press
www.happybellyguides.com
info@happybellyguides.com Other wonderful things about ItalyBEST WAY TO GET TO ITALY
US’s seventh-largest airline, serving 181 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express partner carriers operate approximately 3,400 flights per day. For more information on US Airways flight schedules and fares, visit US Airways online at WWW.USairways.com
or call US Airways Reservations at 1-800-428-4322 BEST WAY TO GET AROUND IN ITALY
RailEurope offers a Trenitalia Pass network which covers 16,000 km (10,000 miles) running daily through beautiful landscapes to connect big cities and small towns, all famous for their art and history. The trains are comfortable and quick and easy to navigate.
www.raileurope.com BEST WAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT IN ITALY
WWW.airportshuttle.it GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
GREAT SLEEPS ITALY
By Sandra Gustafson
Florence. Rome. Venice
www.chroniclebooks.com GREAT EATS ITALY
By Sandra Gustafson
Florence. Rome, Venice
www.chroniclebooks.com Italy: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE*
By Nan McElroy
*when all else fails, read the instructions
The personal, on-site assistant for the enthusiastic but inexperienced traveler
www.Italyinstuctions.com Fodor’s see it Italy
Detailed maps and lots of color pictures
www.fodors.com THE COMPLETE IDOIT’S GUIDE to ITALIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
By Gabrielle Euvino with Michael San Filippo
www.idiotsguides.com ITALY
INSIGHT GUIDES
www.insightguides.com FODOR’S 04 ITALY
Shows you the way on and off the beaten path
WWW.fodors.com Rick Steves Italy 2005
Avalon Publishing
www.ricksteves.com BERLITZ POCKET GUIDE ITALY
www.berlitzpublishing.com SPEAK LIKE AN ITALIAN
THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO LEARNING ITALIAN
By Gabrielle Euvino
www.idiotsguides.com THE POCKET IDIOT’S GUIDE to Italian
By Gabrielle Euvino
www.idiotsguides.com Rick Steve’s ITALIAN PHRASEBOOK AND DICTIONARY
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.Ricksteves.com BERLITZ Surviving in Italian
A handy mini phrase book with maximum information
www.berlitzpublishing.com BERLITZ Shopping in Italian
Pocket-size with easy to read pronunciation
www.berlitzpublishing.com EAT LIKE AN ITALIAN
LA DISPENSA DI FIE
By Stefan Pramstrahler
Hugendubel
www.hugendubel.de BERLITZ Eating and Drinking in Italian
Convenient pocket size
www.berlitzpublishing.com How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine Names
By Dianna Bellucci
They also include a bonus of Austrian, Spanish and Portugese Wine Names
Luminosa Publishing
www.howtopronounce.com LANGENSCHEIDT’S POCKET MENU READER ITALY
A gastronomic dictionary, phrasebook and guide EUROPE’S TOP RESTAURANTS 2004
Zagat Survey
www.zagat.com SHOP LIKE AN ITALIAN
Suzy Gershon’s Born to Shop Italy
The Ultimate Guide for People Who Love to Shop
www.frommers.com COOK LIKE AN ITALIAN
Order your own set of The Best of Ciao Italia..in Umbria and The Best of Cias Italia..in Tuscany. You can enjoy four of Mary Ann’s favorite programs that capture the hearat and soul of Umbria, a delightful, unspoiled and undiscovered region of Italy known for taste-tempting food markets, glorious street festivals, aroma-filled kitchens, fine art, friendships and more. The sets include interactive menus and printable PDF recipes. THE BEST OF GOURMET
Featuring the Flavors of Rome
From the editors of Gourmet Magazine.
Random House
www.randomhouse.com MANGIAMO Let’s Eat!
A collection of family recipes by Sylvia Sebastiani
Sebastiani Vineyards TASTE ITALIAN FOOD AT HOME
Try Sacla’s Classic Basil Pesto Sauce on your pasta at home. Robust bail leaves, fresh Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheese, ripened pine nuts, biting garlic and pure olive oil. LISTEN TO ITALIAN MUSIC
Italian Café Music
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com BEST SPA IN ITALY
Romantik Hotel Turm
Kichplatz - P.zza della Chiesa 9
I - 39050 Völs a. Schlern/Fiè allo Sciliar
Tel: 0039 0471 725014
Fax: 0039 0471 725474
turm@romantikhotels.com
www.hotelturm.it MOST SOCIALLY CORRECT SOUVENIR
Orphange Africa Love Beads
Sexy e Solidali
By Missoni Made in Ghana, all profits from this lovely necklace or belt (if your waist is small enough) go to an African orphanage. Made from thin, flexible tubes filled with colorful little beads, each piece of jewelry also has three bells inside in accordance with some African superstituion. You can buy this jewelry in any Missoni store or at www.oafrica.org Madelyn’s favorite Italian winesRosa Regale by Castello Banfi
Prosecco
Brachetto RomeRICK STEVE’S ROME 2004
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.Ricksteves.com SHOPPING IN ROME
Insights Guide
www.insightguides.com INSIGHT GUIDE INSTANT ROME
www.insightguides.com ACCESS ROME
By Richard Saul Wurman
HarperResource
www.harpercollins.com INSIGHT FLEXIMAP ROME
Laminated for durability
www.insightguides.com Wear your favorite city on a scarf! Tasaram's 100% silk Map Scarves feature detailed street plans of London, Paris, Rome, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. with more cities coming soon.
www.mapscarves.com BERLITZ City Guidemap
www.berlitzpublishing.com WHERE TO STAY Cavalieri Hilton
Via Cadiolo 101 Girosol BandB
www.girasolereale.com
info@girasolereale.com
MOBILE PH +393476204172
HOME PH +39065084265
FAX PH +39065084265 WHERE TO EAT
Try brunch at the Cavalieri Hilton or dine in their rooftop Garden which has two Michelin stars
Rome Cavalieri Hilton
via A. Cadlolo, 101
00136 Rome, Italy
tel+39 06 35092233
fax+39 06 35450331
www.cavalieri-hilton.it
www.hilton.com L’Olimpo is a rooftop restaurant above Ber…….with a fabulous view of Rome. Enjoy a wonderful panorama over the town from a very central location
SINA HOTELS -Piazza Barberini,23 - 00187 Gui dal Ponte
Il Ristorante Galleggiante
335 231119 or 349 679651
Lunch 12:15 to 2:30 Pm
Dinner 7:45 to 10:45 pm My best Roman buddy, artist and entrepreneur Barbara Reale, is a frequent diner here and she shared this favorite with me. An award winning international chef is running the inspired kitchen. Fresh fish that tastes like it just jumped out of the water and exquisitely presented pastas are followed by some of the best desserts I have had in Rome. Don’t miss the crispy sugar basket filled with lemon cream and garnished with raspberries.
You can get there by car or take the glorious river boat Tevere Green. Antica Trattoria Trilussa
Via di Ponte Sisto, 80
Roma 00153
Phone 06 5883411
My friend Rose Lee Hayden who lived in the Trastevere area took me to this local favorite. Reasonable prices, great food, and friendly service. Sit outside on a nice day. BEST MEAL DEAL IN ROME
I ate my last super here, and I was frustrated I had not found this wonderful local restaurant sooner. The trendy graphics and lighting caught my eye. I wandered in for a pizza, and found they had a free buffet of pasta, pizza and salad if you ordered a drink. I had a sweet red bubbly wine (5 euro) and gorged myself on pizza. They have a salad and do it yourself sauce pasta at lunch plus an inexpensive breakfast buffet. Right near the train and not far from the metro, this is a bargain in a city where there are not many dining bargains. When coke costs 4 euro in a nothing special place near the Vatican, it is hard to believe you can get a good glass of Brachetto and a whole dinner for only a Euro more. Be sure to go downstairs (the steps are see through glass) to see the trendy bathroom and wine cellar.
The name means Double Zero. Doppiozeroo
Vis Ostiense 68
06 5730 1961
www.doppiozeroo.it
info@doppiozeroo.it WHERE TO SHOP
The God Store
If shopping is your religion, you will worship this store. It has nothing to do with the Vatican, but sells many religious items and great souvenirs at absolute bargain prices. I bought two necklaces for five Euro each (just over Six dollars). Scarves were less than four euro. This could be a wonderful one stop shopping place for gifts to bring home. Brunelli Dr. Armando
Vicolo del Quartiere 7
06 5895690
info@brunelliarmando.com
www.brunelliarmando.com MOST RELAXING WAY TO SEE ROME FROM TIBER
Take a scenic riverboat ride down the Tiber on specially designed boats that are quiet and do not disturb the local animals. Imagine hearing the birds chirping and fish jumping out of the water in the middle of Rome. This is a great morning tour for weary travelers who will be refreshed by the fresh air and interesting commentary on the historic journey Romans took down this river at different times in history. The boat tour goes to Giu dal Ponte restaurant where you can get a wonderful meal. Once a month there is an evening romance cruise.
www.teveregreen.it
info@teveregreen.it
335 231119 or 349 679651 BEST GUIDE
If being a guide runs in your blood, Angelica Vinaccia has the best genes. Like her father, she has been a guide her whole life and her English and Spanish skills are exceptional. She is very knowledgeable and charming and so beautiful I would hate her if she weren’t so helpful.
Agelica Vinaccia
Angelicavin@tin.it
347 9109704
068602795 BEST CHOCOLATE SHOP
If you tire of Italian gelato, the next best indulgence is always chocolate. Try their delicious pralines with peperoncino and the sacher torte. VALZANI
Via Del Moro n. 37 a/b
06/580 3792
Fax 06/580 3792
valzani@tiscali.it
www.valzani.it MilanWHERE TO STAY
I discovered the wonderful Starhotels on this trip to Italy. Many of them in Milan are near the railroad station, others in particularly convenient locations.
I stayed at the very spiffy and stylish Starhotel Anderson. The staff was outstanding and my room was extremely well thought out. Late in my trip, I stayed at another four star hotel (not mentioned in the story—in fact, I would rate that other hotel unmentionable) and I could not believe how much better the Starhotel Anderson was. Starhotel Anderson is a great value and at the top of its category. STARHOTELS S.p.A.
Telephone: +39 055 3692.619
Fax: +39 055 3692.4
www.starhotels.com WHERE TO EAT IN MILAN
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MILANO
Cognoscenti all gather at the Four Seasons for power meals, whether they be in fashion, finance, or just in Milan to have fun. I had dinner at La Verandah the first night I was in town and it certainly set the standard. Zucchini blossoms where in season, so I had the zucchini in blossom stuffed with ricotta cheese and mint. A feast for the eyes and the palate, this delicious dish is the only food dish pictured on the menu. Wise choice. I tasted my companion’s Zibello ham with spring salad and melon pearls and although it was delicious, the zucchini blossoms make my must-order-this-whenever-I-am-in-Milan list. Our next course was a whole-wheat “cannelloni” pasta with burrata fresh cheese and mozzarella, dried and fresh cherry tomatoes and arugola. I barely had room for the typical Veal cutlet, Milanese style. When I told the maitre d that my favorite Italian wine was Rosa Regale from Banfi Prosecco Costello, he suggested a local wine from the “Po” River (70 miles from Milan) Cabanon Rose was a wonderful choice. L’OPERA in the Hotel de Ville is the place for a power lunch when you are in the downtown financial district. The elegantly traditional room serves classical Italian cuisine and I had my best risotto Milanese here. Another standout dish is the smoked tuna with yogurt sauce and melon pearls, a daily special on the afternoon I dined there. L’Opera
Via Hoepli, 6
20121 Milano
02 805 1231 BEST ICE CREAM
Italians love their gelatos, and tourists also find them a treat. One of my favorite guidebooks, Knopf Mapguides, lists the best ice cream stores in each region. Although I would have loved to have done that research, I will share with you the most unique ice-creams and sorbets that I found. They were at the Four Seasons Milan. Just a few of the fabulous flavors include: yogurt and broad bean, fennel (these are the two I tried and both were much more delicious than they sounded). Other times you can try saffron, basil-tomato, oil oil, mandarin and mint, mandarin and rosemary and red hot chili pepper sorbet. DESIGNING PALATES
There seems to be a trend for designers and top stores to have restaurants. Try some of these delicious designer restaurants but don’t eat too much or you will never fit into the Italian clothes. 10 Corso Como Café
02 6592015 Just Cavalli
Via Camonens Torre
Branca Milano
02 311817 Bozart Café
Look for the jewelry on the first floor in the Bozart corner.
02 76316153 MOST EROTIC RESTAURANT NAME
69. This small restaurant is a refined, exclusive place that unites the best in the latest rends in design, music and high cuisine. The garden is a strong point for romantics. The bar is an imposing island faced in onyx marble and back lighted. BEST CHOCOLATE DESSERT
L’Opera in Hotel de Ville has the richest, most decadent chocolate dessert in Milan (although I will continue on researching this project). A chocolate soufflé-like cake with a thick, creamy center that flows out over the surrounding fresh strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.
L’Opera
Via Hoepli, 6
20121 Milano
02 805 1231 BEST COFFEE SERVICE
Individual shots are served at Café Noir in the Gray Hotel. Choose your coffee from an impressive presentation and then sit back and sip in the most sensual coffee lounge in town. Café Noir
Via San Raffaele, 6
20121 Milano, Italy
39 02 720 89 5.50 MOST EROTIC ROOM AMMENITY
Both the hotels I stayed in offered Delicate Wash in a bottle in the bathroom. I finally discovered this was for washing your private parts, not your underwear or cleaning the bidet. BEST CEMETERY
People in Milan do everything with Style. Even their cemeteries are worth touring. Milan Monumental Cemetery is worth an hour or two if you appreciate architecture and design.
Cimitero Monumental
P.le Cimitero Monumentale
02 6599938
Open Tuesday to Sunday 8:30 to 17:30
Closed on Monday
Underground line 2. Stop Garibaldi FS (seems appropriate to take the underground to a cemetery) BEST GUIDE
Paola’s English is better than mine. And she knows everything imaginable about Italian art and artist. She could teach a history of art class in her spare time. What I liked best about her was her responsiveness, when she learned I was interested in theatre and music, she added a stop to La Scala and the museum. MILAN
KNOPF MAPGUIDES
The city in section by section maps
www.aaknopf.com VeniceWHERE TO EAT IN VENICE
The Met. This Michelin Star restaurant in the Metropole Hotel got rave reviews from everyone I spoke to. I planned to eat there and had already selected what I was going to order –the donkey stew, the eight part chocolate dessert and more. But an impending train strike meant I had to leave early to get to my next destination. Just one more good reason to get back.
Riva degli Schiavoni, 4149, I - 30122 Venezia, Tel. +39 041/5 20 50 44 Osteria da Bacco. When in Italy, eat where the Italians eat. I followed this maxim, (actually, I followed three handsome gondoliers) to Osteria da Bacco. A friendly bar with wonderful sandwiches at bargain prices, it was a great stop. They sell half sandwiches, so you can try more. I enjoyed a fresh mushroom sandwich, a poscuitto and cheese sandwich and a grilled eggplant and cheese with tomato on a rosemary foccacio. Including a bottle of water my tab was less than 9 Euro, or about ten dollars.
Osteria da Bacco, Di Angiolin Franco, Castello 4620. Tel 041-522-2887 RICK STEVES’ VENICE 2005
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.ricksteves.com BERLITZ Venice City GuideMap
www.berlitzpublishing.com VENICE IN CONTEXT
By Robert Wayne
Includes two CD’s
www.europeincontext.com INSIGHT POCKET GUIDE VENICE
www.insightguides.com INSIGHT GUIDE INSTANT VENICE
www.insightguides.com FlorenceBERLITZ Florence City GuideMap
www.berlitzpublishing.com MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES OF FLORENCE
Insight Guides
www.insightguides.com Rick Steve’s Florence and Tuscany 1004
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.ricksteves.com INSIGHT FLEXIMAP FLORENCE
Laminated, easy to use
www.insightguides.com INSIGHT MUSEUM MAP FLORENCE
Includes all major museums and galleries
www.insightguides.com Tuscany and UmbriaWalking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria
By James Lasdun and Pia Davis
This book brings walkers and food lovers into the dazzling landscapes and hidden delights of two the Italy’s loveliest provinces.
A Penguin Book
www.penguin.com Italian LakesKnopf Mapguides
Italian Lakes
www.aaknopf.com Italian Literature to Get You in the MoodVENETIAN STORIES
By Jane Turner Ruylands
Pantheon Books
www.pantheon.com The thoroughly engaging characters who are the focus of these stories are from different backgrounds and various Venetian neighborhoods, but their lives—and the stories—overlap and intersect in surprising and playful ways. CASA ROSA
By Francesca Marciano
(author of Rules of the Wild)
Pantheon Books
www.pantheonbooks.com A mesmerizing story of three generations of a twentieth-century Italian family who lived in a farmous in Puglia. JOHN PAUL II
A personal portrait of the Pope and the Man
By Ray Flynn
St. Martin’s Press
www.stmartins.com BEHIND LOCKED DOORS
By Frederic Baumgartner
The author is a former president of the American Catholic Historical Association and takes readers behind the scenes and offers an insider’s view on the highly secretive Papal Conclave.
Palgrave Macmillan
www.palgrave-usa.com DANCES WITH LUIGI
By Paul Paolicelli
A moving an intimate memoir of award-winning television journalist Paul Paolicelli’s ancestral search. UNDER THE SOUTHERN SUN
By Paul Paolicelli
Stories of the Real Italy and the Americans it Created
Part Travelogue, part journalism and part sociological study, this book follows Paolicelli as he explores Southern Italy dealing with the concept of heritage.
Thomas Dunne Books
A division of St Martin’s press
www.stmartins.com VENICE AGAINST THE SEA
A city Besieged
By John Keahy
In a few years, much of Venice may be under water...can this beautiful city be saved?
Thomas Dunne Books
A division of St Martin’s press
www.stmartins.com Back to TravelLady Magazine |