While on our Mediterranean cruise we booked an excursion to Bari, Italy, which is a southern Italian coastal town. Unbeknownst to me, we stopped at a cathedral which has a significance in most of the Christian world. It has a tomb with relics of St. Nicolaus Continue reading Saint Nicholas tomb is in Bari, Italy
There are dishes that feed the body, and then there are dishes that feed the soul. Paella, for me, is firmly in the latter category. It’s not just a recipe—it’s a memory, a moment, a promise of adventure. I first tasted it in the heart of Barcelona, just days before embarking on a Mediterranean cruise. It was Fall 2022, and the city was alive with … Continue reading Paella, a traditional Spanish cuisine
Stepping out of the metro station and catching my first glimpse of La Sagrada Familia, I felt like I’d wandered into a dream sculpted from stone. The basilica’s towering spires pierced the Barcelona sky like fingers reaching for heaven, each one adorned with intricate carvings and symbols that seemed to whisper stories of faith, nature, and time. Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece isn’t just a building—it’s a … Continue reading Exploring La Sagrada Familia: Gaudí’s Timeless Marvel
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While on our Mediterranean cruise, the ship stopped for a day in Genoa, Italy. In my excitement, the night before, I booked a 40 min boat ride to Portofino. While going alongside the Italian coast, I was amazed of the typical Italian colorful architecture. Continue reading The best boat ride of my life to Portofino, Italy
Gnocchi, pronounced “Njocki” rather than “Gnotschi”, is the Italian variant of Nocken. In Italy, three main variants are distinguished: Gnocchi di Patate made from potatoes, Gnocchi di Polenta made from corn semolina and Gnocchi alla Romana (Roman wheat semolina dumplings). Continue reading Gnocchi di Patate, a potato pasta with Italian origin
The first time I tasted true Neapolitan pizza was in the sun-soaked streets of Naples. It was a moment that stayed with me: a soft, blistered crust from the wood-fired oven, fragrant tomatoes from volcanic soil, and just enough fresh mozzarella for creamy pockets. Nothing fancy—just honest ingredients prepared with care. That experience transformed my perspective on pizza. The most exciting part is that you … Continue reading Step-by-Step Guide preparing Neapolitan Pizza
On my Romans in Rhineland fact finding trip I became interested in bread baking like it was done in the antiquity. After some research, I plunged into baking the bread like the Romans did as depicted in paintings, and found as carbonised loafs in ovens of Pompeii. Continue reading Panus Quadratus, the Bread of ancient Rome
A day after I visited Cologne and saw the monuments and Roman history there, I discovered that there was a museum called RömerWelt in Rheinbrohl near my river cottage. That morning I set my alarm for 7.30, made some coffee and got ready for a new adventure. That day exceeded my expectations learning more about the ancient Romans in my area Continue reading The rich Roman history of the Rhineland
