Aperitivo refers to the Italian tradition of enjoying a predinner drink and light snacks, typically in the late afternoon or early evening. Sometimes enjoyed at a local bar and sometimes, like this aperitivo, enjoyed at home. This Caprese app was made from fresh ingredients that I had purchased that day at a local Farmer’s Market. Fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh buffalo mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala). Yum!

Aperol Spritzes are a favorite drink at an aperitivo. They certainly are mine! My friend, Betsy, and I are enjoying them on the cost of the Mediterranean in Rapallo, Italy. Once I discovered them, I don’t limit myself to drinking them only while in Italy! My favorite recipe for them is to use a ¼ cup measuring cup and these ingredients: In an empty glass, use three ¼ cups of any type of Prosecco, two ¼ cups of Aperol Liqueur and one ¼ cup of a sparkling orange water. Add ice, a straw and garnish with a fresh orange slice. Cin cin!

Everywhere you look in Italy, there is a respectful nod to the past. This was a sign on the side of a modern gelato shop in Monterosso, Italy. The owner told me that this is a photo of the original shop and his grandfather who opened it decades before. The recipes they use now are the same as the originals. And the line was out the door!

Speaking of gelato, it is ubiquitous in Italy, as you could imagine. The best gelato places are the ones that are outside of the tourist areas where the gelato is homemade. This gelato is from Biscotto, one of my favorite gelato places located in Aulla, Italy. The flavors are rich and the gelato is creamy and dense. And I love topping it off with panna montata (whipped cream). Such a special treat! When my friend, Kerry was visiting, she wanted to go every day!

The pocket of Tuscany where my village is has a very Mediterranean climate. Snow doesn’t usually fall onto the ground. Precipitation in the winter is mainly rain. The best part about the climate is that you can grow pretty much anything. Flowers, bushes and my favorite, fruit trees. Fruit trees are everywhere and they bear beautiful fruit. My property has a cherry trees, apple trees, a peach tree and a plum tree. RIght on the property line, my neighbors have fig trees and lime trees. And lemon trees grow beautifully in containers. Nothing like picking fresh fruit right off the tree. Yum!

On the Mediterranean coast, north of Cinque Terre and not too far south of Genoa is the village of Portofino, Italy. It is a fishing village on the “Italian Riviera” coastline. The town of Portofino is clustered around it’s small harbor and is personified by its colorful buildings. The town is not very big (you can easily tour in a day or less), but it is dotted with high-end boutiques and fabulous restaurants. It’s harbor is usually filled with superyachts. There is a fortress, Castello Brown, which was built in the 16th century. A walking path leads up to it, and the views from the top are spectacular. Aside from the boutiques and some souvenir shops, there are specialty shops that sell the most gorgeous linens. Tablecloths, napkins and other housewares. I spent a wonderful afternoon there with friends and came home with a full tummy and a shopping bag or two!

Old school craftsmanship is alive and well in Italy, and it is one of the things I truly love about it. The people who do the artisanal work are lots of times older people who still take lots of pride in the work they do. Ironwork, stonework, tilework, woodwork of all types are what give life to an otherwise basic thing. This craftsman is laying a flagstone patio behind my home. He did a superb job and crafted it with love. Seek out these very special people for your project. It’s so worth it!

Although I am not religious now, I grew up attending Catholic church. There’s still something special for me about these grand buildings. This photo is of the inside of the Duomo in Pontremoli. It was built in the mid-1600s. I visited it during a day at Pontremoli’s antiquities market. Walking through, I saw the confessionals and was reminded of my time spent in them years ago…Bless me, Father, for I have sinned… The gorgeous interior was frescoed by Francesco Natali. One cannot help but be awed by the architecture and art in these magical places.