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Interviews

Meet Lukas D'Ambra, Who Runs Villa Ravino and Giardini Ravino on Ischia
You don’t need to be an avid gardener to appreciate the spectacular Giardini Ravino, a 6,000-square-meter botanical park full of larger-than-life cacti…
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Laura Itzkowitz
9
Meet Emiko Davies, Acclaimed Food Writer and Cookbook Author Who Teaches Workshops in Tuscany
There are few foreign-born authors as entrenched in Tuscany’s food scene as Emiko Davies.
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Laura Itzkowitz
13
Meet Sara Maestrelli, Creative Director of Collezione Em, a Boutique Hotel Group with Properties in Tuscany and Venice
Sara Maestrelli didn’t intend to get into the hotel business, but for those of us who appreciate beautiful boutique hotels, it’s a good thing she did.
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Laura Itzkowitz
2
Meet Holly Star, an Australian Transplant Who Runs Cooking Classes and Food Experiences in Capri
Lots of people who visit Italy on vacation fantasize about tearing up their return ticket and never leaving, but few actually go through with it. Holly…
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Laura Itzkowitz
3
Meet Sophie Minchilli, Co-Founder of Via Rosa, Which Offers Food Tours of Rome and Beyond
When it comes to Rome’s food and markets, there are few people who can claim to be more knowledgeable than Sophie Minchilli.
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Laura Itzkowitz
17
Meet Giulia Blocal Riva, a Street Art Expert Who Pens Books, Organizes Festivals, and Leads Tours in Rome and Beyond
In Rome, ancient monuments and Renaissance and Baroque art tend to steal the show, but according to Giulia Blocal Riva, the city was one of Europe’s…
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Laura Itzkowitz
6
Meet Christian Scali & Stephen Lewis, Owners of Villa Ardore in Tuscany
Lots of people dream about buying a crumbling Tuscan villa and fixing it up, but few people actually do it. Christian Scali and Stephen Lewis are among…
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Laura Itzkowitz
7
Meet Giulia Scarpaleggia, Tuscan Food Writer, Cookbook Author & Cooking Class Teacher
I first encountered Giulia Scarpaleggia’s writing through the Substack network, but she has been writing about food for more than 15 years.
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Laura Itzkowitz
2
Meet José Rallo, CEO of Donnafugata, One of Sicily's Leading Wineries
Sicilian wine is having a moment and Donnafugata is here for it.
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Laura Itzkowitz
3
Meet Mariella & Attilia Avino, the Chic Sisters Behind Palazzo Avino on the Amalfi Coast
When it comes to fabulous hotels, Palazzo Avino is in a class of its own.
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Laura Itzkowitz
Meet Massimo D'Addezio, One of Rome's Best Bartenders
Rome’s bar and nightlife scene may not be as vast as the scene in New York City or London, but it’s grown a lot over the last 25 years, thanks in part…
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Laura Itzkowitz
8
Meet Guido Fiorentino, Fifth-Generation Owner of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento
Set on a promontory overlooking the port of Sorrento, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria was just voted the best resort in Italy in Travel + Leisure’s…
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Laura Itzkowitz
3
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