Historian who has lived in Italy for more than 30 years, 20 of which as a journalist and 12 as a press and political officer at the Dutch embassy in Rome. Has been working as a journalist again since May 2022. Active member of the Gruppo del Gusto, the gourmet group of the foreign press association in Rome.
Tramezzini. Everyone who's been to Italy has eaten them at some point, for breakfast, as a snack, or with a glass of wine as an aperitif. These elegant triangles, made from two slices of soft bread with a savory filling between them, are a household name in Italy. Self-respecting café owners prepare a generous supply every morning to offer their customers […] More
Spaghetti alla carbonara originated from the rations of American soldiers stationed in Rome in 1944. Their dried bacon and eggs were mixed with local pasta and oil, creating the foundation for the world's most popular pasta dish. That interpretation has been widely accepted in gastronomic circles until now, and I myself have […] More
Forget Tuscany. Italy's next luxury destination is Abruzzo. With this clever slogan, the central Italian region of Abruzzo has launched a campaign to attract European and American tourists. Abruzzo has been described as "Italy's best-kept secret," but if local officials and entrepreneurs have their way, after Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, and […] More
It's raining in Tuscany. A threatening sky hangs over the tranquil green hills. Vines and olive trees droop their leaves. Cities turn gray under torrents of rainwater. Wild waves pound mercilessly on deserted beaches. And moods darken, too, for precipitation depresses. These are the days when the unsuspecting tourist realizes that even in […] More
Castelvetrano, Gibellina, and Partanna are located in Sicily, in the Valle del Belice, the valley of the Belice River, but the names won't mean much to many readers. Most travelers to Sicily stick to the north and east of the island, with Palermo, Taormina, and Catania as highlights. The southwest is less well-known, which has the advantage […] More
