The Montefeltro Conspiracy by Marcello Simonetta focuses the reader’s attention on one of the most written about conspiracies of Florentine history – the Pazzi Conspiracy of 1478, which sought to achieve the murder of both Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici. In doing so, he seeks to definitively show, by...
With its fine polychrome marble façade, Ca’Dario is one of the most charming palazzo in Venice but it is also one of the most mysterious. It seems that purchasing the building can very quickly lead to the ruin or violent death of the owner. The earliest of such...
I love this chicken dish – it is so Mediterranean and brings back wonderful memories of days spent in Greece, where one meal seems to slowly move into the next almost without notice. There are two keys to this dish: one is the marinade combination, and the second is...
Did you know the story about the most expensive bottle of wine ever broken? Well, here it is….. In 1989, William Sokolin, a New York wine merchant, was asked to sell an extremely rare and sought after wine on consignment. The wine was a 1787 Chateau Margaux and engraved...
The Paklenica National Park is situated in the imposing Velebit massif, with its entrance in Starigrad Paklenica, off the Magistrala coastal road. It was opened in 1949 and covers an area of 36 sq km (14 sq miles) and is formed by two main gorges: Mala Paklenica and Velika...
Compared with the Plitvice Lakes and the Kornati Islands, Risnjak National Park, 18km (11 miles) north of Rijeka, is far less visited. It became a national park in 1953 and commercial development has been strictly limited. It was extended in 1997 to encompass the Kupa area, bringing the total...
Sometime ago I provided a review of The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte. This time I bring you a review of another of his wonderful books, The Siege, which again comes with a five star rating. The Siege is based in Cadiz in 1811. Cadiz is under siege by...
The beautiful Greek island of Tínos is one of the islands which make up the Cyclades – other islands in the group include Mykonos, Santorini and Naxos. When you visit Tínos, you must be certain to travel to the heart of the island and see the ornate architectural dovecotes...
Agrodolce is a traditional sweet/sour sauce believed to have originated in Sicily. While the exact ingredients of this reduction vary between regions, it commonly includes vinegar, sugar, wine raisins and pine nuts, leading some to believe it has Arabic influences. Bitter chocolate is generally added to agrodolce dishes featuring...
Benedict (image is by Phillipe de Champaigne The Poisoned Cup of Wine c. 1643-48) was born around the year 480 AD to wealthy parents in Nursia, now the region in Umbria in central Italy. As a young man of privilege it is said that he led a life of promiscuity...
Welcome to my love affair with the food, wine, history and culture of the Mediterranean, past and present. Here you will find not only recipes, drinks and fabulous products, but the history of the food and culture of the Mediterranean.
My purpose is to get you to explore and experience new tastes and along the way to immerse yourself in the wonderful history of this diverse and wonderful region – from Venice to Istanbul, Rome to Dubrovnik, Athens to Crete and all places in between and in the surrounds. Be prepared to be surprised, delighted and enthralled as you take this trip with me.
