There are two reasons why my friend once referred to me as “The Frazzled Chef”: Reason #1 has to do with my physical appearance. I have a mane of unruly, curly hair that sticks out every which way. S...
Lately I’ve had this idea – a type of realization that’s been forming slowly in the back of my mind -about some of the things that make me so enjoy life in Italy. Beyond the obvious...
Like I said in my first post about Surviving Paris: The Arc de Triomphe, Paris is a city that somehow makes me lose all good sense (and any good luck) that I have. This is me in Paris: [Please note t...
Reblogged from Not Just Another "Dolce Vita": To tip or not to tip? That is the question! In North America, diners are pretty much required to tip anywhere they go. No 15% tacked onto your Vi...
Happy 1st Blogiversary! I am very proud to announce that today marks one year since Not Just Another “Dolce Vita” came into being. Exactly one year ago today, up to my eyeballs in essays ...
Ever considered going to work in Italy? Think the tourism industry might be for you? Phil, the creator of Liveworkabroad.com, asked me to write an article about my experiences working in Bella Italia...
Warning: Paris is a city that undoes me like no other. Terrible things happen (or almost happen) to me in Paris. Paris turns my slightly disasterous self into a very disasterous self. Read on and you...
Ciao Tutti! It is con grande piaere (with extreme pleasure) that I publish Not Just Another “Dolce Vita’s” new logo and Facebook page! Show your support by clicking here to like us...
How do we pronounce this one, you ask? Has the odd G + L + I + E combination got your tongue in knots? Simply say, “beehl-yeht-toh.” No, not “big-lee-etto”. No. No. No! Don&...
Ciao tutti! Today I submitted a guest post for fellow Canadian Nicole Basaraba’s excellent travel and writing blog, Uni-Verse-City. Entitled “The Fine Art of Italian Rule-Bending” m...
Cari lettori. Dear readers, Just a quick post to get all of you excited about something I’m really excited about: a customized Not Just Another “Dolce Vita” logo, for starters! Yep,...
The uccelli are chirping, the sole is shining, amore is in the air… Signore e signori, today is the first day of spring! Just in case you hadn’t guessed, primavera is the Italian word fo...
When someone says Tuscany (Toscana, for you Italian speakers) what comes to mind? The rolling hills – check! Or the iconic cipressi (cypress trees) – certo! The world renowned wine (vino)...
Every so often, I come across little gems of wisdom on the internet. This one is certainly worth sharing with my fellow travel enthusiasts. What is it? Travel guru Rick Steves giving a 22-minute talk...
Do you pride yourself on being the most frugal traveller? Are you the one person you know who can stretch your travel dollars from here to Russia? Do you budget your funds down to the last centesimo ...
Check out what Guest Blogger Megan Gates has to say about family travel to Italy: While it may seem that a trip to Italy is more suited to adults than to children, the fact is Italians love children...
When I travel, I try to avoid run-ins with the local authorities. I figure it’s a pretty smart thing to do. The local authorities, however, don’t really try to avoid run-ins with me…...
Graffiti love in Venezia Representing all the things I love about Italy in the place I love the most. “Cicci, rethink it! I love you!” Pleading graffiti in Sorrento. Bacio chocolates, ...
The sweet life. That’s the literal translation of the well-known phrase, “la dolce vita”. These three words are usually used to describe an idyllic idea of daily life in…you g...
The travel season will soon be upon us! With first-time and long-time travellers alike planning their spring, summer and fall vacations, I thought I would offer a few tips and pieces of advice for tr...
Oh yes, you travellers out there know exactly what I’m talking about. Have you ever sat down with the hopes of ordering a savoury meal, just to look at the menu and find it translated into nons...
The “Welcome Back to Canada” sign, Canadian flag and homemade Peanut Butter cookies were what greeted me as I climbed up the steps to my front door after more than four months of being aw...
In Italy, New Years or Capodanno (literally, the head of the year) is celebrated pretty enthusiastically. In some parts of Italy, I’d even venture to say it’s more celebrated than Christm...
“Ma che casino!” cries a mother when she catches a glimpse of the toys littering her child’s room. “C’è stato un casino di gente!” reports a man of last night̵...
I spent some time preparing for my Peanut Butter Crusade. I mean, you don’t just pick up and go to war on a country’s culinary ideals overnight. Eating a peanut butter and Nutella sandwic...
Well folks, it’s that time again. I can hardly believe my stay in Italy is over. It seems like just yesterday I was writing a post on the phrase “ben tornata” (welcome back) and I w...
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Italians are pretty serious about their food. Oh, wait, you had noticed? Good. I’m not here to point out the obvious, but you need to keep this i...
I am and always have been an avid reader. I’m the type of person who just likes to be around books. I go to a book store and am happy just to look at the covers and let the pages flip through m...
I’ve been back in Italy for just over 24 hours, and to tell you the truth, I’m relieved. I had a great time visiting friends in England and sampling the culinary delights of France and Be...
I can’t wait to get on the road again… Today I’m saying “Ciao ciao” to Italia and “Cheerio” to jolly old Inghilterra (England) as today is the first day of ...
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