Soaps made in traditional fashion and within the city limits of Marseille, France, are the only ones allowed by French law to use the coveted name: Savon de Marseille. What makes this simple, mild soap so special? Why is it favored in exclusive boutiques and salons in the U.S. and Europe? Recently I went in search …
Bouillabaisse is serious business in southern France, especially in the seaside town of Marseille . The delectable fish soup originated here, and every chef and fisherman claims to have the best recipe. The art of cooking bouillabaisse began on the Mediterranean coast centuries ago, probably by sailors thriftily turning unsold fish into a spicy stew. It …
The first time I saw Paris, many years ago, my friends and I headed for Montmartre. We’d seen the movies and heard the stories, and we weren’t about to miss this famous neighborhood. It seemed a bit tawdry, but we didn’t care. We went straight to the Moulin Rouge where we watched women in skimpy outfits dance onstage, while we tasted champagne. …
Some of the finest, most exquisite pottery in the world comes from the Cappadocia region of Turkey, where artisans have been crafting pots for millennia. Many potters and artists have studios open to visitors, and one of the best is Chez Galip near the village of Avanos. Galip Korukcu, considered one of the top craftsmen …
Turkish carpets are highly valued worldwide for good reason; the skill it takes to create them has been perfected over thousands of years. On a recent trip to Turkey my husband John and I caught a glimpse of the incredible craftsmanship involved. With a small group we visited a carpet-making factory famed for their top-quality …
Turin (Torino in Italian), a prosperous city on the Po River in northwestern Italy, isn’t considered flamboyant, but it’s lively. Italy’s first capital has so many intriguing museums, churches, palaces, arcades, wine bars, and cafes you can stay for months and scarcely scratch the surface. Here are my Top Ten Turin Tourist Attractions, (not in order of …
One of the greatest of Italian inventions is gianduja, and the best place to sample it is Turin, Italy. About 60% of Italy’s chocolate comes from this city on the River Po, in northern Italy’s Piedmont region. If you’ve ever tasted the creamy combination of chocolate and hazelnuts called Nutella, you’ve had a slight hint …
Douja D’Or , which means Pitcher of Gold, is a ten-day celebration of the outstanding wines and foods of the Piedmont region in northwestern Italy. Wine production is hugely important here. In the Piedmont province of Asti, miles of vineyards stripe the hillsides, growing fat clusters of grapes that will become some of the …
Asti, a town of charm and style in northern Italy, doesn’t get the tourist crowds that swarm to more famous places, but those who do come fall in love with this historic, hospitable town. You may now be wondering where to stay while in Asti. Lodgings in Asti, an hour’s drive from Milan, range from …
Walking through Asti’s narrow cobble-stoned streets and 18th-century squares is the best kind of time travel: you’re transported back through history, but you can stop almost anywhere along the way for a great meal and a glass of wine, and end the day in a modern, comfortable hotel room. Asti is a mid-sized town in …