JULY 2015

OLD MULE TRACK

07012015 The Cilento Coast is one of the most unspoiled parts of the Campania region. The people of the Cilento seemed to be a bit more like the coast itself: wild and rugged. Here is where the Italian adventurers have been hiding, or rather, flocking each summer. But in true Italian fashion, even the adventurers can appreciate the finer things in life. Italy’s Best Kept Secret: The Cilento Coast | The Luxe Adventure Traveler 

07022015 While the Brits and the Americans flock to the Amalfi coast, Italians drive straight past and head instead for the mountains and beaches of the unspoit Cilento region. The dramatic coastline the Italians kept for themselves | The Observer
07032015 The Cilento coast has wide sandy beaches, flat agricultural land that make for very happy water buffaloes, simple beach cottages and the very lovely La Locanda del Mare. La Locanda del Mare is a relaxed chic version of the Florida places of my childhood. Poetry is everywhere, there is lots of comfortable seating surrounded by shelves of novels and design books, and there are bright orange bikes you can borrow to explore this sleepy stretch of the Italian coast. Where to Stay in Paestum {La Locanda del Mare} | Gillian's Lists
07042015 Maida Farm is located in Campania near the Cilento National Park and the archaeological ruins at Paestum. Francesco Vastola, its owner, grows vegetables of the highest quality. With a mixture of innovation and tradition, he takes his just picked vegetables and turns them into sott'olio using the excellent extra virgin olive oil from Cilento. Broccoli Rabe Friarielli in EV Olive Oil Maida Farm - Campania | Gustiamo
07052015 Polacca combines a soft naturally leavened dough with a delicate custard and sour cherry filling. This is a new version of a traditional cake made in the area around Caserta at the beginning of the twentieth century. Polacca by Pasticceria Pelosi from Aversa | Foodscovery
07062015 Do you want to truly understand what’s going on in Campania these days? Read what Kerin O’Keefe writes in The Wine Enthusiast or what Monica Larner discusses in The Wine Advocate. These two journalists live in Europe and regularly taste wines from Campania as well as every Italian region. They offer great praise for these wines, as they appreciate the complexities of Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino. Campania Deserves Better | learnitalianwines – by tom hyland
07072015 Rocca del Principe, owned and worked by Aurelia Fabrizio and her husband Ercole Zarella, comprises about five hectares divided among three separate hillside vineyards in the township of Lapio, about 15 kilometers northeast of Avellino. All are over 500 meters high, some parts almost 600. I tasted with them barrel samples of the separate vineyards, which are only blended at the final assemblage of the wine. Each was strikingly distinctive, with its own gout de terroir – so much so that I thought any of them could have been bottled as a first-rate cru. Campania’s Golden Triangle | Tom's Wine Line
07082015 Martella is the oldest restaurant in Avellino’s historic center. It preserves the original flavors of Irpinian cuisine with careful attention to detail. Simple but flavorful dishes at this restaurant have stood the test of time, preserving its reputation and value, which is as strong as ever. Antica Trattoria Martella | Mesali
07092015 Campania Stories is a wonderful event designed to immerse wine writers and wine educators in the exciting world of Campania wine. The Good Campanians – stories, grapes and wines from Italy’s deep south | Quentin Sadler's Wine Page
07102015 For students of viticultural history, Campania may be Italy’s most important region. For lovers of great wines, Campania must still be approached with caution. It was the Greeks who introduced systemized wine-growing to the Italian peninsula, and the region of Campania is where they did it first. Grape varieties such as the white Greco and the red Aglianico (whose name is thought to be a mutation of the word “hellenico,” Italian for “Greek”), have been rooted in Campanian soil since the days of the ancients. Campania | Babbo Ristorante & Enoteca
07112015 The history of the Terme goes back to the seventh century when the Euboins, a Greek people, first discovered them on the island. Recent archaeological discoveries prove that the Greeks used the thermal waters to replenish and heal the body and soul. In fact, the Greeks used the thermal waters to treat war wounds in a time period where there were no antibiotics. Ischia: Island of natural beauty | Panoram Italia
07122015 Filippo slings the rope-tied parcels over his shoulder, lowers them into the pit, covers them with ample hot sand, and twists the ropes around the hoe to mark the spot. About an hour later — after antipasti of local artichokes, anchovies, melon and mozzarella rolled with prosciutto and arugula; after a taste of friarielli, a small sweet cousin of broccoli rabe, steamed in vinegar and then drowned in olive oil; a pasta course of thick spaghetti with tomato sauce; and yet another pasta course, of paccheri (wide tubes) with mussels and shreds of pecorino — Filippo heads back out to the now-dark beach and drags the parcels to the surface. As each is hurriedly unwrapped, an herbal, wine-scented blast of pure chicken aroma rises into the air, to the fascination of local children, cats and dogs drawn by the spectacle and the smell. In Ischia, Italy, Cooking Is Done in the Sand, Not the Stove | The New York Times
07132015 My uncle, who lived in Italy for years, taught us the Italian word for newlyweds: “sposini.” If you are sposini, he said, everyone in the country will treat you as if it is your birthday. We had spent a couple of days on the Amalfi Coast — walking Ravello’s gardens that inspired Richard Wagner, touring Capri and hiking between medieval cliff towns that Norman kings once ruled. A Honeymoon Through Italy | The New York Times 
07142015 From Ulysses and the sirens of Greek legend, to the stars of today, everyone from Hilary Clinton to Kim Kardashian has succumbed to the charms of the Amalfi coast. Vogue's Amalfi Coast | Vogue Paris
07152015 On sunday she shared snap of picture in black bikini while sunning it up on Italy's amalfi coast and she continued it to soak up her mediterranean rays with her friend. Emily Ratajkowski flaunts ample cleavage in sexy snaps on Italian holiday | forevervogue.com
07162015 This family run Pasticceria focuses on using high quality natural and organic ingredients. Their limoncello recipes use only pickled lemons and they use the ‘sfusato’, the Amalfi coast lemon. Their Delizia Al Limone is one of the tastiest I have eaten!  There is a huge selection of cakes and pastries on offer, great coffee and spirits are also available. Gambardella, Minori | Amalfi Amore
07172015 True to this remit, Franco’s is currently the only bar in Positano where no food is served, with the exception of a few gourmet nibbles (giant green olives, some rather more-ish potato chips). Food just distracts from that view – and the quality of the liquids list. New in Positano: Franco's Bar | Sirenuse Journal
07182015 Galardi is run by an enthusiastic group, they strive to maximize the intrinsic characteristics of native grapes Aglianico and Piedirosso through attentive and careful vineyard management. The winery and surrounding hillside vineyards are located at approximately 1300 feet above sea level and benefit from ideal growing conditions, including climate and exposure. The name of their praised icon wine, Terra di Lavoro, which translates to Land of Work, reflects the challenge of cultivating the area’s extremely rocky soil. Galardi from Sessa Aurunca | Winebow Imports
07192015 Today the winery works with 20 hectares (50 acres) of vines, planted on vertiginous slopes all the way from Furore round to Vietri. You need to see the vineyards above Furore to understand the extreme challenges involved in working this terrain. Their branches sprawl out horizontally along pergolas made from long, tapering poles, which are cut from the chestnut trees that proliferate high in the Monte Lattari way above the village. Find A Hidden Treasure Winery Above Amalfi Coast | Zester Daily
07202015 Buffalo mozzarella is made from the milk of water buffalo, making it richer in protein, fats and calcium, and lower in cholesterol, than mozzarella made with cow’s milk. It is also low in lactose and easy to digest. Soft, smooth and porcelain white, buffalo mozzarella has a creamy texture and delicious taste that has seen it gain popularity here in Australia, especially in recent years. Buffalo mozzarella | Italianicious
07212015 Not much needs to be said here, I was welcomed to visit this stunning vineyard that falls right in the middle of the city. In the summer a camp is also run here. My 2 new piccolo friends also taught me some Italian on our short but will never forget stroll to the top. Walk with me through the windy paths, absolutely beautiful. The City Vineyard - Naples Italy | Icons Wanted by Julia Santucci
07222015 The main reception is light, bright, modern and airy with white wash walls and bright pink lounger sofas. The main breakfast and ‘dining room’ is located in the arches cloisters courtyard, which I believe used to be a former luxury residence for the Caracciolo family. Our room, number 136 – which we stayed in on both occasions – is honestly one of my favourite hotel rooms that I’ve ever seen! Based over two floors, with high ceilings, luxurious modern white decor and a huge sash window overlooking the street – it was a really welcoming and comforting place to stay in the hustle and bustle of Naples. Palazzo Caracciolo Napoli, Naples | Scarlett London
07232015 In hindsight, the comparison between Naples and the Amalfi Coast are almost unbelievable. If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I don’t think that I could have possibly comprehended such a calm and gorgeous coast to lie so close in proximity with a city with a large and frenetic urban sprawl.  Then again, it would be hard to imagine the opposite as well – such a lively and charismatic metropolitan city to be outlined by something so utterly tranquil. Contrasts of Italy - Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast | Your Friend In Italy
07242015 A journey exploring the Region’s wonderful assets: from Europe’s oldest University located in Naples, to the historically famous School of Medicine in Salerno; from the Royal Palace in Caserta (on a par with Versailles), to the Arch of Trajan in Benevento which successfully withstood the time test. Wolves and mermaids: cities in Campania | Rai Expo
07252015 He is one of the world's most famous dogs, the snarling, black-and-white mosaic canine and protector of the Pompeii archaeological site. Indeed, with his black hair, curled form, and bared teeth, the ancient canine has stood ready for almost 2,000 years to discourage intruders from setting foot in the Domus of the Tragic Poet, supported by the famous inscription 'Cave Canem' or 'Beware of the Dog'. World-famous mosaic mutt of Pompeii restored to glory | Ansa
07262015 After scoping out several ceramic shops prior, Lisa’s shop stood our to me as a bit different. Her art was unique. Not only did she have the typical designs of classic Amalfi Coast ceramics, but there were original contemporary pieces with limited compositions as well. Positano’s L’arte della Ceramica - An Art Lovers Dream | Timeless Italy
07272015 The Amalfi Coast is without a doubt one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe, and you’ll find old, charming luxury hotels scattered around the area, for example in Sorrento and Positano. It’s also possible to sail to the beautiful island of Capri and for those interested in history, Pompeii and Mount Vesuv is only a short drive away. Make sure to book a treatment in one of the many luxurious spas, and enjoy the breathtaking sunset accompanied by a glass of wine. Italy, The Amalfi Coast | The Copenhagen Traveler 
07282015 Balanced, quite literally, on the soaring limestone cliffs of Italy’s Amalfi coast, with uninterrupted views of Mount Vesuvius in the distance, Sorrento is undoubtedly a holiday town. The gentle hues of its sherbet-coloured buildings, stacked up the rockface and into the hills amid tall cypruses, olive groves, lemon trees and plum orchards, have attracted many a film crew. Sorrento 48 Hours | Food and Travel Magazine
07292015 Walking along Via Marina Grande, we meet an old villa overlooking the sea, “Villa Tritone”, surrounded by a garden rich in extraordinary exotic plants. On reaching the end of the path, the eyes of the traveller are presented with an extraordinarily beautiful canvas, almost from times gone by: a tiny bay nestling a delightful and characteristic fishing village, a narrow beach and bathing establishments … this is Marina Grande. Here the beach is common ground, used for both work and free time for the entire community. The charm and fascination of tradition in Marina Grande | Sorrento Info
07302015 We actually stayed in Sorento at a villa with an incredible view of the sea. We will never forget our breakfast and dinner meals on the terrace! Staying in Sorento, we had a chance to attend a cooking school where we prepared Italian dishes - appetisers, pastas, and, of course, Tiramisu. Annika Urm Column: Sorento, Positano, and Amalfi | i-marbella.com
07312015 Despite the lack of a beach, tourists love Sorrento, which straddles the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The picturesque old town makes a great base for exploring surrounding areas - the Amalfi Coast to the East, Pompeii to the North, and the island of Capri offshore. The Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Italy | Conde Nast Traveler