File Under Rentals: Camogli, Italy

Years ago Matt and I went to the Cinque Terre, and loved it.  It's an area I've always wanted to go back to, but wanted to wait until Clara was old enough to walk the billy-goat paths that connect the towns.  I think my favorite part of the whole experience of being there, is that you get to go on these walks, and at the end of each path (most of them are about 45 minutes between the towns, or at least the towns I went to), there are great places to eat. I've started looking for possible places to rent, and think this one looks really nice.  The town of Camogli is at the top of the Cinque Terre, and you can easily take a train there, if you don't feel like the hassle of a rental car.  That's another great thing about this area--you can take the train so easily, and then do a train/walk combo to get around.

Cookbooks That Inspire Travel

(above, some of our collection)

I've bought books on amazon.co.uk in the past, so I get emails when new cookbooks come out. Usually I can't stand getting emails from anyone trying to sell me anything, but I like getting these, because they are always books or chefs I haven't necessarily heard of, and I'm always so pleased with whatever I order.  I just saw that Jamie Oliver is coming out with a book on April 15, inspired by his travels in Europe. I really love Jamie Oliver (who doesn't?) and I like the way he approaches travel (his magazine showcases alot of it), so I bet it will be good.  

Here are some of my favorites that I learned about from the UK site, but are now on Amazon in the States, so you don't have to worry about expensive shipping charges...

Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros (Greece, Finland)

Kitchen of Light by Andreas Viestad (Scandinavia)(this has inspired a trip to Norway, hopefully this summer!)

Beaneaters and Bread Soup by Lori di Mori (Tuscany) (this showcases all these different farmers, restauranteurs, and artisans, and we used it as a guide when we were there)

French Feasts by Stephane Reynaud (Actually, I like every book by him!) 

File Under Rentals: Swedish House, Puglia

I'm already thinking about summer.  I would love to find the perfect little house to rent in Greece, southern Italy, or hey, even Idaho.  The thing is, I just want to find a house or apartment that has the right feel to it, and is in a good location.  I know this is what everyone wants, but it seems that so many people renting out their places, just don't get what makes a rental fantastic.


I thought I'd start collecting my favorites here, starting with this one in Puglia.  I love Puglia, which is in the south of Italy, actually, the heel of the boot.  I was there several years ago, and fell so in love with it, that we imagine that someday we could buy a little house there.  Check out this sweet little house, in the town of Depressa, which, despite its name, is lovely.  It's also about 5 km from a nearby fishing village called Castro Marina, and a little swimming beach.  I think this website, owned by a woman who lives in Puglia, is worth bookmarking.