The traveler’s guide to happiness

January 11, 2012January 11, 2012 / dolcevitaspinelli / Leave a comment

It seems that 63% of happiness is already present before you are even at your destination, already 7% when just booking the trip 🙂

I found this ‘happiness’ chart by Travel Supermarket , where they show you how happy travelling makes us.

It even shows how people through history liked travelling

But what surprises me most is that what you read on this chart is really true! I really recognize all of this. Because I’m indeed already very excited to go on trip when booking …

You can find the whole chart on this link

Europe’s weirdest hotels

January 10, 2012 / dolcevitaspinelli / Leave a comment

It might seem like my weekend was full of discoveries :-). I was looking to a few websites, when I suddenly fell on the one from “Stedentripper”. On this website they listed the weirdest hotels in Europe.

Not all of them are too weird,

The Dasparkhotel, Ottensheim (Austria) for example. In this hotel you stay in a sewer pipe ( a clean one). The only ‘scary’ part would be that it is quit narrow, but besides that I would see myself sleeping her.

Or a more romantic hotel if you ask me would be the Elkep Evi, Urgüp (Turkey). This hotel is built in the a mountain … or actually they gave this previous mountain homes a new destination 🙂

BUT the hotel I would NEVER go to, would be the Propeller Island City Lodge, Berlijn (Duitsland). Just look at the picture… I’m sure you’ll agree. Who wants to be sleeping in a coffin (accept maybe Dracula)

But apart from that hotel you I think most of them don’t seem that weird 🙂

Which one is your favorite? Let me know (if you don’t speak dutch, I’m sure you’ll be able to tell me which one … Here’s the weblink

Feel like Tomba La Bomba! part 2

November 24, 2011May 2, 2014 / dolcevitaspinelli / Leave a comment

And so the story continues

As you might expect my trips wouldn’t be perfect without Gastronomy :-), especially when I’m with my family. And Valtellina (this is the region Bormio and Livigno are in) has a lot to offer.

When you have a little walk through the ‘city’ center of Bormio, it is not big, but reaaaaaally nice and you might wanna stop at the original shop of Braulio, this is THE local Amaro or bitter beverage based on aromatic mountain herbs (my brother’s preferred amaro).

Some local dishes/products you should REALLY try are

– Pizzoccheri (my favorite)

a type of short tagliatelle, a flat ribbon pasta, made with buckwheat flour and wheat flour. They are cooked along with green Savoy cabbage, potatoes and layered with pieces of Valtellina Casera cheese and ground Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano, and dressed with butter and sage. The ones my grandmother makes are really the best!! Mmm, just thinking of them makes me want them NOW

– Sciatt: these are small balls (like cheese crockets) made with buckwheat and stuffed with Casera cheese (or another local cheese like bito or Scimudin)

– Bresaola is dried salted beef meat aged for two years. I used to be from horse meat, but nowadays it is just beef

– There are still lots of other dishes to explore in this region (fyi if you are on a diet, you’re screwed 🙂 )

Ofcourse all this heavy food needs can’t stand on its own, it needs to wine to go with it 🙂

The 2 biggest vineyards are Nino Negri & Nera. Both of superb quality. Something that you must know about the wines from this region, is that they are also made of Nebiollo grapes (like in Piemonte for Barolo) in combination with the local Chiavernasca grape. White wines are rather exceptional in this region as most of the vineyards make red wine. A White wine from this region that I like a lot is the Ca’brione from Nino Negri. The red wines you’ll have to try are Inferno, Grumello, Sassella and Sforzato. Sforzato is the top of the bill!! Really!! Very Yummy. You should also try Fruit grappa with Mertilli for example from Schenatti. (FYI, you also visit this vineyards if you want)

Some suggestions of restaurants and hotels:

Hotel Posta Bormio

Via Roma, 66

Bormio (SO)

Tel +39 0342 904753

Hotel Cedrone

Bormio 2000 (SO)

23030 Italia

Tel +39 0342 902510

Hotel Sassella (very good food)

Via Roma 2

23033 Grosio (SO)

Tel: +39 0342 84 72 72

Challet Ristorante Mattias (1 Michelin star)

Via Canton 124

23030 Livigno

Tel: +39 0342 997 794

This are just a few, there are many more nice places to discover

Get inspired by this wonderful region! Also in Summertime it is beautiful to make walkingtrips in the mountains, to Valle di Rezzalo.

Feel like Tomba La Bomba!

November 23, 2011May 2, 2014 / dolcevitaspinelli / 1 Comment

With the winter and snow coming, I’m sure lots of you guys will be looking forward to go on their winter holidays and start skiing (or snowboarding) again?

If this is indeed the case, I would advise you to go to Bormio or Livigno. Not only because my dad was born in Bormio and that most of my family lives here, but also a world renowned ski places! Bormio for example has already hosted the World Ski Championships a few times and is also one of the preferred World Ski Circuit stops. So if you like the challenge, you can feel like Alberto Tomba or Debora Compagnioni (who you can even bump into, as they often come here to ski). Livigno on the otherhad would be most famous as being a tax free-ski village right next to the Swiss border. Livigno has 115 km of slopes at a height of 1815m until 2797m.

I’ve really been looooooooooots of times to this region, mainly to visit my family ofcourse. Not so much for skiing strange enough… I just don’t like doing it. The only thing I do like is the “après-ski” 😉

BUT both Bormio and Livigno have options for the people who just like the white mountains and don’t like skiing. In Bormio I highly recommend to go to the Bagni Vecchi , warm water source. You can either go to the natural source (you used to be able to swim in them), you can go to the public pool (but believe me, you won’t be swimming too long in that hot water) or you could go to the Bagni Nuovo Spa

The most beautiful view over Bormio is without when you are at Bormio 2000, a view over the whole valley. You should really stop at hotel Gallo Cedrone, which happens to be my cousin Francesca’s hotel 🙂 they are right next to the ski lift to go to 3000m and they have a really big terrace where you can enjoy a hot coco or grappa to warm up in winter (or just a glass of wine to enjoy the view in summer). Most of the food they prepare comes from their own farm.

To be continued

What do Jeunes restaurateurs d’europe and shrimps have in common?

November 4, 2011November 4, 2011 / dolcevitaspinelli / Leave a comment

Crangon crangon they used to call them in Latin 🙂 We now know them as North Sea Shrimps (aka brown/grey shrimps. Now they probably sound more familiar.

Aaah, nothing better than being on the beach with a bag of fresh North sea shrimps and a glass of Rodenbach on a sunny day , just lovely (if the seagulls aren’t bothering you)! Local, season and fresh products, that’s what it is all about. I really like to eat local things on the moment you should eat them … One of those local products that I really like eating are North sea shrimps. They mainly get fished in northwest Europe (Belgium, Netherlands, UK). They are so small, but sooooooo full of flavor and really worth the effort of peeling 🙂

I know, I’m also a very lazy person from time to time (almost never 😉 )… so buying them peeled is very tempting. But nothing beats the taste of freshly peeled shrimps! As lots of products, shrimps also have seasons when they are at their best (not many people know this). Maybe if I explain you how in 4 simple steps:

Step 1:

take the shrimp’s tail in your left hand with the shrimp’s back towards you

Step2:

Push the nail of your right thumb in the middle between the slabs and bend the spine until you hear it

snap.

Step 3:

Pull with a pinching movement the tail section, from back to front.

Step 4:

Grab hand the shrimp with your left in the middle and pull the head off with your right hand.

The best periods for eating shrimps would be April-May and in the Autumn months. Nowadays this gets done with boast … but there used to be a time when the fishermen used to do it on the back of horses… The only city they are still doing this in the old fashion way is Oostduinkerke. So if you are ever in that region during the season, it is really worth seeing

Something nice to know is that there are no catch limits and this means that it they are not threatened species. Another thing that I really didn’t know was that most shrimps are born as a male and become female after 2 years … (inartificial).

Anyhow, I’m wandering off… back to my initial question, what do ‘Jeunes restaurateurs d’ Europe’ and shrimps have in common? Well, very simple the “JRE” love working with great fresh and local products 🙂 Did you guys read my post about JRE?? No, shame on you 🙂

You k now what’s we’ll do? This weekend we (you guys and me) will buy some fresh shrimps (unpeeled)

Let’s say about 300g? Then on Monday and Tuesday we’ll make the following dishes from ‘JRE’ together?? Is this a deal?

Breaded shrimp on a bed of nettles, watercress and feta by Laurent Van De Vijver (Restaurant Du four à la Table)

And maybe a recipe from Seppe Nobels? (you might remember him from ‘Jong Keukengeweld’ A Sea bass tartar with hand peeled shrimp, thyme sorbet and crumble crackers

Or maybe … well, I’ll see when I get to the open air market.

Can’t wait…

And so my trip ended

October 13, 2011May 2, 2014 / dolcevitaspinelli / Leave a comment

And so a trip comes to an end, after mowing the lawn (YES, she made me work) at Zia Livia’s house and having a great meal…

There are still two more things I wanted to tell you guys about this region (for now).

A little town that I want you guys to visit, is Cividale. Cividale is another picturesque little town , filled with lots of history. This town was actually founded/ created by Julius Caesar around 50 BC. And after that lots and lots of tribes have concurred this little town….When entering this little town you do this walking over the “Ponte del Diavolo’ or devils bridge….

Ofcourse being close to the sea, I really should speak about where the beaches are 🙂

When you have children and you want to see wild Dolphins (YES, dolphins) you could have to go to Grado. Grado is a peninsula surrounded by beautiful azure colored water where you can find around 30 wild dolphins that life here whole year round. Why I also advice this spot for people with children, first of all because you can walk 10 minutes before you’re finally in deep water, but also because the beach of Grado is full of natural iodine… which is good for children’s’ bones . I like to go there for the great Ice cream salons 🙂 + it has a nice little town and harbor .

Me and my parents (when my brother and I were younger) we always went to Marina Julia. It is nothing special, not as beautiful as Grado or the other beaches nearby… but the best place to do windsurfing and/ or Kitesurfing! too bad I didn’t take a picture, there were really at least 50 of them

If you prefer swimming in Deeper water or diving I would advise you to either go to Duino, a little harbor near Trieste or Sistiana, as there the water is immediately deep. When my brother and I were older we preferred going to these two beaches.

There are still many more places to visit in this region, but I have to stop somewhere 🙂

Maybe I’ll post something about the local dishes… only if you guys want me to? Let me know

And so our trip continues

October 12, 2011May 2, 2014 / dolcevitaspinelli / Leave a comment

Sorry for delay, but here the story continues…

It seems like I did nothing else but eat during this trip 🙂

Let me maybe tell something more about the wonderful region Friuli Venezia Giulia. When you ask people which regions in Italy do you know, 90% will answer Tuscany and maybe Umbria… But there are so many other beautiful regions in Italy, like Piemonte (as you could see on my previous posts) and Friuli. Friuli is a region that not too many people know, they might have heard talking about Trieste , which is the capital and most important city in this region, but that’s about it… I’ve been travelling to this region whole my life, I can guaranty you that this region has a lot to offer. Like Illycoffee, this coffee is original from Trieste :-). Also some of the Italian white wines are from Friuli.

Maybe I should first start by showing where Friuli is actually located:

Trieste is a city that has really one of the most beautiful front views ever… If you look at the picture right above, this is a view you have while driving with your car towards Trieste. As’ Illy’ is the local coffee brand, you really have to drink a ‘Illy’ or another local coffee in Trieste! My favorite spot would be “Cremcaffè’ at Piazza Goldoni 10. But there are ofcourse many many bars where the’ Barista ‘will let you taste why Trieste is the city of coffee. Not so long ago ( a few years) Trieste’s façade has totally been renovated, which resulted to an even more spectacular view (to my modest opinion) and the fact the city is right next to the sea, makes this city a ‘must see’… If you would go to Trieste and you are standing on the “Piazza Unità d’Italia” you’ll know what I mean! If you are a sailboat fan, Trieste is really THE place to be the first week of October, as in that week there is a regatta called ‘Barcolana”. A really magnificent thing to see. Another ‘must see’ is the beautiful ‘Castello di Miramar’ and its gardens. The story behind the castle is a bit tragic…

Udine would be the next city I would recommend to visit. I like this city because it is not too big and not too small, just right 🙂, with the most beautiful picturesque squares. You really think of being inside a painting like ‘piazza matteotti’, that to my opinion one of the most beautiful squares! (especially when the open air market is there). If you re into design and/or furniture, you have to go to the town ‘Manzano’, which is still part of Udine. This town is not for nothing called ‘the Capital of chairs’, it is. One of the most famous designers from this town is Calligaris. This town also has a GIANT wooden chair standing on a square before entering the town! See picture below. If only I were a better photographer, then I would be able to really show the beauty…

For all you hungry people out there, San Daniele is a ‘must do’. I could keep eating that ham. For me this is more tasty the Parma ham. Up to you to decide. The pest period to go would be during the ‘Festa del Proscuitto’ (in June) mmmmmmm, just the thought of being there.

To be continued, tomorrow more about this great region.

And yet we went to another vineyard

October 6, 2011October 6, 2011 / dolcevitaspinelli / Leave a comment

Today my aunt asked my something I have never heard before… she wanted to invite us to a restaurant???? She never did this, as she makes everything better herself. So not accepting it is not an option. Apparently lately she does this more often together with some friends 🙂 (which is really great) She invite us to this very nice restaurant near the Slovenian boarder, Azienda agricola Stanig aka “Al vecchio Gelso” Which is also a vineyard 🙂 (I like). She actually wanted to take us to Stanig, as she had already been here a couple of times and liked very much. But also because she knows my brother is really crazy about the local wine called “Ribola Gialla” which you have in the form as a regular white wine and as a kind of spumante that I actually didn’t know also existed. So she wanted us to taste it and when maybe even take a few bottles for my brother. When I arrived at this restaurant I immediately knew this was something I liked, surrounded by vineyards, apple trees, etc…. lovely.

We first got offered a glass of this famous “Ribolla” or as they call it “Ribollicine”, and I can guaranty that it was indeed good. The grape has a realy nice smooth taste with tones of citrus in it. Really worth trying!!

But ofcourse we didn’t only come to drink :-)!We also had some delicious food. Do you remember my blogpost from Piemonte when I talked about restaurant Gemma? Well this was the same kind of restaurant, everything homemade, with love, very friendly people and more food than you can eat. As an antipasto, we started light with some San Daniele ham and some local cheese. We then took a Trio from pasta (as we couldn’t choose) Orzotto with the first broccoli from the season (like risotto, but with orzo instaid of rice), a kind of lasagna with pork sausage sauce and tagliatelle with porcini. To accompany this we had a local red wine “Schioppettino“, an interesting taste, a more herbal kind of wine… I don’t think it would match with everything, but the bottle was empty at the end, so it couldn’t have been bad. (btw if you don’t finish your bottle, they give it to you to take home) We didn’t finish eating yet 🙂 as ‘secondo’ or main course we took the ‘involtini di’anatra’ (duck roll), roast and rabbit. They all came with a slice of white polenta and for the whole table we took some “zucchini”, “potatoes baked in the oven with rosemary” and some spinach. There was NO more room for dessert, only for a coffee.

As we were at the vineyard and I had wanted to take a few bottles of “Ribolla” for my brother I also took the liberty of buying an extra box of wine for me and my brother with an assortiment of the regional wines… And may I just say that the wines from Stanig have a nice tase. One of my preferred red wines from this region would be “Merlot’ (more than Cabernet’, for the white wines my preference would go to the Tokai Friulano (previously known as Tokai), but the Malvasia and Sauvignon are also very nice.

And may I also add that I like the look of the bottles (I know what is in it is more important, but they really look nice)

After our diner and wine purchase we did a little walk across the vineyard and set sail to go back home (to eat some more in the evening) after having a wonderful and tasty lunch.

FYI, as this is an agriturismo they also have rooms available…. Just a suggestion

My Zia Livia

October 5, 2011October 5, 2011 / dolcevitaspinelli / 1 Comment

So finally we arrived in ‘Monfalcone’ (where my aunt lives) and the first question she asks me ‘Hai fame?’ (are you hungry)hahaha, really unbelievable. But I think even if I would say NO, she would still start preparing something, just in case. Anyhow, in this case I was indeed hungry 🙂

So lucky for me she had brought all lot of ingredients from Torino and started cooking immediately.

Zia had brought the biggest paprika’s I had ever seen! Apparently the ones from Piemonte are much better than the ones you buy elsewhere. When you peel them, there is still a lot of flesh left on them …

So with those ones she made peperonata. To accompany this, she made a ‘arrosto’, that nooooobody else can make like her. It is so soft and tender, no fat and the best gravy with it …. As primo she made some fresh pasta (she had made it before leaving for Torino, as she knew we would be joining her home) with a fresh ‘salsa pomodoro’. She didn’t make dessert 🙂 we just had some fresh peaches … Why does everything taste so much better in Southern Europe???

When I stay at Zia Livia’s house the n°1 concern every day is what will we eat 🙂. As I’m her favorite nephew, she always makes ALL my preferred dishes 🙂lasagna with asparagus (she had put some fresh ones in the freezer to be able to make the lasagna when I would come), cannelloni, faraona , and the list goes on and on 🙂ok ok, I’m spoiled, especially knowing she goes to farmers to get me the best ingredients and makes all the pasta herself. You might not think this, but she is 78 years old!! (and she is more active than me 🙂 )

I so love my Zia Livia!! So my first day at her house ended in a way I like very very much 🙂 (tooo bad you guys can’t taste all this food, but trust me it was good!)