MAG TRAVEL

Certain vegetables have a majestic quality to them that requires you to address them with a level of respect. I feel that way about eggplant, and I’m fascinated not only with dishes made with it but with when and how it came to us. Several varieties of eggplant are now available at the market, including the familiar purple oval one and the purple globe eggplant, which is called Tunisian eggplant in Sicily. There are long and thin purple, lavender and white eggplant called Japanese or Chinese eggplant. There are white eggplants that look like  large eggs and there is a round, ribbed eggplant called the Italian Rosa Bianco. The...

The Rolling Stones love Morocco and always stay at hidden Kasbahs in the Northern Regions. Mick has been sighted each time sipping piping hot mint tea and a ciggie during pauses.

Mint tea isn’t just a drink in Morocco. It is a sign of hospitality and friendship and tradition. Because this drink is so popular, it is served all day long, after every meal and with every conversation. Moroccans take great pride in their tea and will often ask a visitor who among their group of friends makes the best cup of mint tea. It’s a favorite among every Moroccan, old or young, even out at bars in the coolest 5-star hotels or i...

A well out of which an almond tree appears. This centuries old construction, in the heart of the town’s historic center, has become the symbol of Manduria, ancient town situated on Puglia’s Ionic coast.

The “Fonte Pliniano” testifies to both the presence of the messapic population who inhabited southern Puglia from the 8th century B.C. onwards, and the visit to the town by “Plinio the Old”: the famous Roman historian who mentioned the well in his “Historia naturalis” and after whom the structure w...

When the heat rises in City, where do you go? In Rome, I run away from my non-airconditioned apartment and try to find cool breezes wafting through Rome’s public parks. Villa Borghese is the best, and largest, with a small lake located in the middle. From the Flaminio Metro, walk North through the arches (with the Eagles on them) straight ahead and follow the cool air! In the evenings free theatre and concerts and even outdoor cinema bring Romani and travelers together, to enjoy the relief from the scorching heat and humidity. Make sure to bring your bug spray….it’s a jungle out there!...

Why is it so hard to be simple these days? Everywhere I go I see people stressing and worrying, suffering in their faces, and yet, they have it better than a lot of other people, and countries for that matter. Sometimes I too get into the rat-race, don’t get my wrong, but the orto puts it all into a different light. A farmer spends everyday preparing for the next; cultivating, tending, tilling, planning, chopping, cleaning, watering. Once the harvest is done, as we are doing this month, we are already planning next season’s crop. Often, farmers seem so stoic and wise to me, their eye wrinkles and hands tell so many ...

20th August is St. Stephen’s Day in Hungary and is also my Dad’s birthday. He is half Hungarian, so I’m a quarter. We joke about being Hungarian and about beefy women eating paprika and sour cream.I even went on a pilgrimage in 2006 to find out ancestors. It turned out that 1/4 of the phone book has our last name. Strangely enough, my main bread & butter this year is from a Hungarian client, so I’ve had a chance to get to know the ins and outs of Hungarian culture, food and modern Budapest. As today is their  public holiday, I’d like to point out that it is today that they...

Late Summer Edition

All’ombra del colosseo
One of the nicest of the temporary areas set up for the Estate Romana summer festival, “Al Ombra del Colosso” features a 1,500 square meter village, seating 2000 for cabaret and concerts. During the day, there’s a 200-square meter pool and jacuzzi; a disco, with an “apperitivo pool party” at 5 pm; a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and apperitivi; a revolving Texas Hold ‘em Poker game; and cabaret shows nightly at 9:45 pm. Parco del Celio, Viale del Parco del Celio at Via Celio Vibenna. Pool open, 9 am – 6 pm; Monday...

Ferragosto, August 15th, is  THE holiday in Italy. Even though most people consider it just an excuse to go to the beach, Ferragosto is in fact a religious holiday. The Catholic Church commemorates the “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary“, that is the real physical elevation of her body into Heaven.

Ferragosto, though, has much more ancient origins. As in the case of most of the other big religious holidays, the Roman Church has replaced ancient pagan holidays with a Catholic “Holy Day of Obligation”, that is a day that commemorate...

Michelle

JM...

Michelle:

I have been in the business for over 20 years and pride myself in quality staff and service. I was visiting Italy before you were born. That said, I gave you the chance to show me what you were made of, and as Hafid said, “sei forte” – you’re the best. I was very impressed with your background and ‘lauch’ on your own after the Corporate sector lifestyle. You are truly talented to scout out the unknown and special, even to a seasoned traveler like myself. Your food knowledge and PASSION shines through in ever location recommended. If you treat every client like you treated me,or rather...