Across from Portevenere, Italy in what’s known as Cinque Terra, or the Five Villages, there is a tiny triangle shaped island called Palmaria.

Hopping on to the private motor launch of restaurant Locando Lorena, we were whisked across the harbor with breathtaking views all around us of this ancient Mediterranean village and surrounding area.

Arriving at the dock on Palmaria Island, Giuseppe was there to greet us with a warm wave and hardy handshake, welcoming us to his restaurant and bed and breakfast there.

Perhaps you can imagine why it is that so many famous people, including music and movie stars, athletes and even royalty visit Locando Loreno- because as soon as you step off of the boat on to the dock and enter this open-air restaurant environment, your view is the entire bay behind you with Portevenere across the harbor!

Giuseppe went to work instantly upon our arrival, preparing a fresh seafood grill experience that was beyond description! The open grill area is fired by fresh hard wood from the area that is actually placed behind the grill, with the heat radiating outwards and creating an extremely balanced cooking process that doesn’t burn or char the food.

Of course before we had a chance to enjoy the seafood grill, Giuseppe and his minions of chefs and assistants created an anti-pasta extravaganza that seem to go on for days! We had everything from Fish Dumplings to Mussels Marinara, Calamari and Marinated Salmon…and all of this even before a huge pasta dish was served!

The Pasta included both Pesto and Garlic/Olive Oil with fresh seafood, which was the perfect dish to lead us directly to the seafood grill! Imagine as the sun in setting over the harbor and Palmaria Island, the beautiful crescent moon is rising above the glistening waters of Cinque Terra and being served a seafood grill that includes Lobster, Fresh White Fish, Clams, Shrimp and a whole lot of love!

Grazie Giuseppe, Grazie mile!

PS – to reserve a place at Locando Loreno bed and breakfast requires at least six weeks advance notice and to get a seat at the restaurant at least three weeks (unless of course you’re Mick Jaeger, or Rod Stewart).

Ok, so our guide and co-producer on our trip to Italy Luca explained that today we would travel up into a village on a hill and dine in a restaurant built into a cave!

Well after all we’d been through so far, we thought that this surely must be something to behold, and it certainly was! Driving in to La Sassa village and coming to Trattoria La Grotta we were warmly welcomed by Ivio Paperini the chef and owner, along with his son Tony Paperini and their entire extended family!

Entering La Grotta is something out of this world, as you’re actually entering a restaurant built into an actual cave located on a hill side! The warm lighting and aromas of fresh ingredients and family style cooking made this cave seem more like a womb however.

Into the kitchen with Ivio Paperini as he prepared an incredible Tuscan soup made with beans and fresh bread. Although the story goes that this soup was invented by the poor people of Italy during the rough times, now it’s considered a true delicacy and enjoyed by everyone, including us!

He also prepared a lovely pheasant along with potatoes and vegetables. We were also blessed to have Natasha from Podera la Cappela winery who brought several varietals for our tasting and dining pleasure! Podera la Cappela is a family owned vineyard that specializes in Italian red and white wines that are enchanting!

And for dessert, (or Dolce), we were taken upstairs to learn the special process of their family recipe. A soft of Tiramisu comprised of layers of brandy soaked cookies, topped with fresh cream and butter and topped off with a special coffee drink that had enough kick in it to start a small revolution somewhere!

What a time at La Grotto! Something to plan for on any visit to Tuscany for a once in a life time experience!

What a magical tour of the wine districts of Tuscany! This is a trip that needs to be savored as delicately as the wines, visiting each vineyard with a clean palate and open mind and heart.

We begin our visit with Ceralti Vinyards. This winery was founded in 1850 and passed down through the generations until coming to it's present owner Dott. Walter Alfeo.
It is located in the commune of Castagneto Carducci, part in the plains and part on the hillsides. The vineyards are on the Bolgheri-Castagneto borders where the soil, microclimate and southern exposure combine to produce unique wine.

Leaving the hot, sunny Tuscan day behind us, we stepped down the long staircase into the Ceralti cask room, where dozens of wooden barrels and casks contain the previous years’ wines. Here in this cool, dry place, shafts of sunlight streak their beams across the top of the ceiling way on high.

Selecting a few of their better known bottles, we return to the tasting area upstairs and outside in the shade of a giant tree that stands magically at the front of their main building

Moving on to Michele Satta Winery in Castagneto Carducci, we were fortunate to visit with Michele Satta himself who gave us a guided tour of their vineyards and subterranean storage facility. Michele Satta founded his winery in 1984 and in 1988 built the most refined machinery for controlling temperature and refrigeration in his cellars. The goal was the maximum of varietal character and aromas from the grapes.

There’s nothing quite like stepping off the airplane in Milan and driving a couple of hours through the countryside of northwest Italy, only to come upon the Cowboy’s Guest Ranch!

Yes it’s true, in the middle of Italy there is a western style Cowboy Ranch, with stables full of horses, a family amusement park and even a giant rodeo pavilion, mostly used for dressage and performances.

The Cowboy’s Guest Ranch has something very special to offer everyone, including weekend getaways on horseback that are fully catered and include bringing in the cows from pasture!

The cuisine is American as Apple Pie, with a real southwest twist that includes Nachos and Salsa, sizzling fresh plates of Fajitas with Corn or Flour Tortillas, gigantic Steaks and French Fries and desserts that are deliciously tempting to try all of them at once!

Most importantly, your host Carlo Riccardi and his entire family are there to make your stay warm, comfortable and down right laid-back! The guest rooms are all in the style of a western ranch, with antiques, photos and a real sense of being in the wild-west, err, of Italy that is!

So when you’re in Italy, you HAVE to go and stay at the Cowboy’s Guest Ranch! Dust off those jeans, pull down that cowboy hat and tell ‘em The Hippy Gourmet sent ‘ya! Yahoo partner!