Mattie Bamman

Mattie John Bamman is a culinary-travel author and freelance writer focused on Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, South Africa, and Cascadia. He lives in Portland, Oregon, where he has coauthored 10 books on culinary travel and is a strong proponent of the local poetry scene. Catch up with him on his wine blog or his website.

orange stone medieval village on a green hill in Umbria italy

Umbria Italy Travel Tips and Stories

Discover Umbria: This Italian region has lots to offer and is not yet run over by tourists. Here are our Umbria Italy Travel Tips & Stories.

Still life of Alba's white truffle on the traditional blue-checkered cloth

Alba Truffle Festival – A Must For Italian Truffle Lovers

Alba Truffle Festival One of the most important festivals in Italy, the Alba Truffle Festival, celebrates one the rarest and most highly prized cooking ingredients in the world: the white truffle. In the fall, the famous Alba, Italy Alba White Truffle Festival fills the town with thousands of gourmets looking to sample and procure the exotic …

Piazza Santo Oronzo and Anfiteatro Romano in Lecce. Lecce, Apulia, Italy

Things to Do in Lecce Italy [2023]

Lecce Italy Travel Guide: Lecce Italy is one of the hidden gems in Puglia and a great place to explore the Southern tip of Italy’s boot.

Munich Day Tours - Top Day trips from Munich - Munich Day Trips - Day trips from Munich Germany

Top Day Trips from Munich – Including Hiking Trips To Bavarian Alps

Munich has a lot to offer, but it is also the perfect destination to explore the Bavarian countryside. Here are the top day trips from Munich

Courtyard square surrounded by low rise buildings with shopping and restaurants, square is filled with pedestrians on sunny summer day, Greek ruins stand atop hill in background. Monastiraki Square, Athens, Greece, What to do in Athens in 3 Days.

Where to Stay in Athens, Greece: Editor’s Picks

Do you need Hotel recommendations for Athens? We have visited Athens many times and are sharing our favorite Athens Hotels and tips on where to stay in Athens.

Panorama of Naples, view of the port in the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. The province of Campania. Italy. - Things to do in Naples Italy

Best Things To Do in Naples, Italy

Read about the top sights and things to do in Naples Italy and why there is more to Naples than Pizza. Find out why people LOVE or HATE Naples, Italy. Are you ready to visit Napoli?

Cantine Aperte - Group of young people toasting wine in a vineyard in the afternoon sun

Cantine Aperte & Other Wine Festivals in Italy

Cantine Aperte, which translates to Open Wineries, is best described as a countrywide wine party which is a bucket list item for all serious wine lovers.

Successful truffle hunting Italy. Man holding truffle in his hands and thumbs up with Black Dachshund in the back.

Truffle Hunting in Italy

Truffle Hunting in Italy is popular in many regions, but the main areas are Alba in Piedmont and Puglia. Learn more about this exquisite mushroom here.

Best Places to Visit in Puglia Travel - Aerial panorama of Brindisi in the afternoon, Puglia, Italy

Best Places to Visit in Puglia Italy

A Summer Jaunt through Puglia – Another Side of Italy You’ve experienced Rome, the domes of Florence, the beauty of Tuscany, the sea spray of Amalfi – where to next? Italy is home to a wealth of incredible regions and hotspots, some far more touristy than others. For a taste of something a little off …

5 Reasons to Try Turkish Wine While in Turkey

Need five reasons to drink Turkish wine on your next visit to Turkey? The country’s wines are quickly growing in prominence worldwide, and it’s no wonder why. First, the world’s very first wines were likely made in the region. Second, Turkey ranks sixth in the world in total grape production. Third, the only countries that …

Older →