by Mara Solomon | May 18, 2017 | Travel Advice
It’s question season here at Homebase Abroad. “Can we still find a house for this summer?” (Yes, except on the Amalfi Coast) “How do we get to Florence?” (We recommend by private car or train as parking a rental car is challenging), “How do we get on the water along...
by Mara Solomon | May 3, 2017 | Cities & Towns
Visiting a great city can sometimes feel like it comes with a lot of “shoulds.” Not the least is that you “should” actually find it a “great city” when maybe you won’t. When we work with guests on their plans for visiting Rome, we...
by Mara Solomon | Mar 4, 2017 | Food
We all have special skills. As my friends and family know, mine is dressing a salad just so, like the Italians. Now, it is easy to get into a disagreement about food in Italy. Even about dressing a salad. I was told, in no uncertain terms some years ago, to apply the...
by Mara Solomon | Mar 2, 2017 | Cities & Towns
Lucca is a gem – compact, flat, lively – an ideal destination for groups of all description. The still-standing enclosing wall, itself a rarity in Tuscany, has been thoughtfully transformed into a circular park of some 4 kms in length. Run it, bike it, stroll it as...
by Mara Solomon | Jun 19, 2015 | Cities & Towns, Seasons In Italy
If you missed the amazing display of camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons that blaze in the gardens of Lake Como during March and April (reason enough to come ahead of the crowds), come walk through a daydream of beauty in the Fall when you can enjoy the careful...
by Mara Solomon | Apr 1, 2015 | Cities & Towns, Festivals & Holidays, Food
Before reading further, I suggest you pull up a map of Tuscany. Locate Siena and then trail you finger in a southwesterly direction until you no longer recognize the place names. Stop before you get to Grossetto and the sea at Monte Argentario. Benvenuto. You have...
by Mara Solomon | Mar 5, 2014 | Food, Italy Vacation Destinations
6 slices sirloin fillet (ask your butcher to make them 5mm thick) 6 very thin slices of lard (cured pork fat) salt & pepper 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 60 pine nuts 30 golden raisins 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 1 cup (225 grams) pecorino...
