- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Go Truffle Hunting, Foraging for Flowers & Shopping in Force with Italy Charme
Truffle Hunting in Italy Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Go truffle hunting in Italy! No pigs here at Agriturismo Ramusè but sweet dogs sniffing out the golden mushrooms, Cocker Spaniel mixes of the tan colored Electra and fuzzy Briciola. These pricey pups either come pre-trained at $3,000 to $7,000 Euro per dog or you can hire a Northern Italy truffle dog trainer for about $1,000 Euro a month. Paolo Ciccioli, owner of Agriturismo Ramusè and former truffle exporter to London, led us on a mountainside adventure in the drizzling rain where the black mushrooms were almost popping out of the ground because of the downpour. I thoroughly enjoyed…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Live like a Queen in an 1,000 Year Old Castle, Castel di Luco in Italy
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Sleep like a queen in a 1,000 year old castle! Castel di Luco is said to be built on a sacred forest where Pagan rites were celebrated because of the magical waters lurking below. Evidence of the castle goes back as far as 1052 and has survived religious rulers, aristocratic families, invasions, liberations, prisoners, murders, births, marriages and no doubt illicit love affairs fit for a modern day romance novel. Throughout all this time, it has maintained its status as one of the rarest and most unique castles in Italy’s Piceno region, with a surprisingly intact appearance as a medieval architectural structure. We…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Escape to a Fairytale Fever Dreamscape at Il Falconiere in Cortona, Tuscany Italy
Luxury Wine Resort in Cortona Tuscany, Italy Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Behold the beauty of Il Falconiere Relais & Spa, an elegant 17th-century country residence on the hillsides of Cortona, Tuscany! This was truly a hidden countryside gem in Italy and welcome restful retreat of relaxation, nature and wellness, carefully crafted to be delightful fairytale couture by Silvia and Benedetto Baracchi. Cypress trees, umbrella pines, olive trees and vineyards as far as the eye can see are spotted with stone buildings with terracotta-colored walls while the healthiest, shiniest chickens and roosters roam the grounds. Flowers were blooming everywhere for spring which was intoxicating to the senses. Relais…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Spend 24 Hours in the Mountain Town of Norcia, Umbria in Italy
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Norcia is located in the mountains of Italy at 6,500 feet altitude! About two and a half hours Northwest of Rome, Norcia is a small town in the east of the province of Perugia, in the central region of Umbria. It is smack dab in the center of the Monti Sibillini National Park, with endless rolling mountains, an ideal destination for nature lovers, hikers and skiers. In 2016, a 6.6-magnitude quake hit the small town shaking up the medieval basilica of St. Benedict in Norcia among other structures and was Italy’s strongest earthquakes in decades. The town is very busy bringing itself back…
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Explore an Italian Castle and Wine at the Top of Charming Village of Dolceacqua
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Take a day trip to the dreamy small village of Dolceacqua near Sanremo, Italy! This charming town sits at the base of French border town Dolceacqua about a half hour away with the Doria Castle climbing high in the sky and is the location of the Pinacoteca Giovanni Morscio, a museum dedicated to the works of local painter Morscio (1887–1972) and other 20th-century Italian and French artists. It is also known for its medieval bridge somehow suspended in air by stone and physics, which was painted by Claude Monet. The is one of the many day trips Europa Palace Sanremo offers guests. If…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Explore Affordable Luxury on the Italian Riviera at Europa Hotel in Sanremo, Italy
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Flying into Nice, France felt like visiting an old friend even though I was just there last fall! The amount of peace and happy giddiness washed over me as soon as I saw that familiar skyline and sunset. With a pretty smooth flight from Phoenix through British Airways, I had a brief layover in London, England and was soon on my way to my first overnight hotel, safely walkable from the airport even at night. A lot of places will say they have an airport shuttle in both France and Italy so be certain that it actually exists and without hidden fees by…
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A 300-Day Nomad’s Guide to Why Slow Travel is Superior
Meet Ian Poh Jin Tze from Singapore in Southeast Asia who has quite an impressive resume and has mastered the art of slow travel. If you have no clue what that is, keep reading because it could just change your life. Q: Please tell us about how you became a world traveler? A: I am a storyteller – through the lens of my camera and the rhythm of my pen. For years, I’ve been chasing stories, capturing fleeting moments and uncovering truths that others might overlook. My work has graced the pages of prestigious publications like Singapore Airlines, Eater, Asian Food Network, and Le Cordon Bleu, and I’ve had the privilege of authoring…
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Weft and Warp Transports Guests to Portugal Passport Wine Dinner at Andaz Scottsdale
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I almost married the mayor of Lisbon, Portugal‘s son. Before you come at me, yes I am aware they don’t have “mayors” per say like in the USA but close enough translation without going into a Portuguese political rant. Anyway, I met this gentleman fresh after a breakup and visit to New York City to hang with my fashion designer friend. He had an accent – and abs of steel and came to the Big Apple to chase his dream of becoming a model and actor, leaving an almost finished law degree and his pissed off family behind him. He chased me for…
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Philadelphia Flower Show Blooms Outdoors for 2021 Season
The Pennsylvania Convention Center has been home base for PHS Philadelphia Flower Show exhibits since 1996. “Who can say that a buttercup shining in the sun like yellow enamel is not as enchanting as a white butterfly tumbling out of a tree trunk in a Brazilian jungle? That the delicate beauty of a white wild anemone excels the orderly perfection of the petals in a white camellia? “When I took time to look into the heart of a flower, it opened up a whole new world; a world where every walk would be an adventure, where every garden would become an enchanted garden.” – Princess Grace of Monaco Story, photos…
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Tempting Tastes at 19 Bella Tapas Restaurant in Skippack Village, PA
Readers, get thee to Cedars, Pa. “Go out and see your friends and eat tapas and drink red wine and be in a beautiful place.” – Anthony Bourdain Story, photos by Sharon Kozden One doesn’t have to head to Spain for a first-rate, authentic tapas experience. Cedars, PA – just outside quaint Skippack Village – will do just fine. Grant Langdon Brown, owner and head chef at 19 Bella, has a top tapas spot worth the travel involved to enjoy extraordinary meals. I envy the locals’ proximity. I arrived one chilly evening to discover an understated, functional exterior with patio I imagine bustles with activity during more temperate climes. The contrast between outward appearance and color-blazing interior was a fun surprise.…
