Five Beautiful Things from Italy 2022
It has been too long since I last sent you a post because my tendency to overthink things is worst when I’m full of inspiration. While I continue to finalize the next year of new tours, clients, classes, and discoveries, here are five belle cose to add a little beauty to your day.
Vicolo Santa Maria De Domno, Salerno: My love for the historic center of Salerno is well documented. However, this was the first time I had walked down this narrow alleyway exploding with bright paintings of each of the Amalfi Coast villages.
The Cave of the Cumean Sybil: In the first century B.C.E., wealthy Romans vacationing at Baia would visit nearby Cuma to visit a prophetess (who had to be at least 50 years old) and have their futures foretold, often in vague phrases. The location of her cave has been debated for nearly 1,500 years until it was found in 1928. I spent half an hour in the cave without anyone beyond the bees, who I could hear buzzing without stopping, but never saw.
Libreria Berisio, just near the Piazza Bellini in Naples, is a 50-year-old antiquarian bookstore by day and a funky cocktail bar at night. There’s only one section of books you can touch, marked, and the servers have eyes on the backs of their heads, so touch only your Negronis.
Cuore di Sfogliatelle: There are a few outposts of this pastry shop that gets right to the literal heart of what’s best about the signature pastry of Naples. Not pictured is the savory sfogliatelle, a flaky pastry wrapped around crumbled sausage and broccoli rabe.
Paestum’s Temple of Neptune: While my “Fall in South Italy” group was enjoying this tour in the so-called Temple of Neptune (really, it was dedicated to Hera) I was struck with the memory of an iconic image from World War II of American soldiers who used the temple as a communications station as part of Operation Avalanche. It was one of those moments that capture why I feel more alive and connected to people when engaging with history.
While I’m busy overthinking things, let me know what you’d like to see more of from me in 2023! You can leave a comment below or send me an email at danielle@feasttravel.com
I love your posts - interesting, informative, beautiful…and personal. Obviously from the heart.
Danielle! So beautiful to see these photos and catch your memories, some of which overlap with mine of my recent trip there. I would love to read more from you about Ischia, a place that is suffering right now. And there is a new item about Herculaneum I see in the news - about wood that survived the Vesuvius eruption. Do please tell us your thoughts on these. And of course, news about your winter talks would be great too.