David Callaway, the editor in chief of Marketwatch, recalled his early days at the Boston Herald when in 1987, everyone thought that newspapers were endangered–because people would get their news over the fax machine. But as a survivor and a business reporter, he discusses the transition and what it has […]
For a day at the beach, we needed sustenance and for this we turned to this man in a truck who offered rotisserie chickens and fried potatoes in Marciana Marina, on the island of Elba. We drove to the far south and enjoyed a classic beach day, sharing our delicious […]
Today was the classic Italian beach day. But first it was time to visit the market in Marciana Marina. A typical Italian weekly market, with the usual stuff–clothing, shoes, kitchen stuff and one highlight–rotisserie chicken. We had asked our guide Tatiana her favorite place for lunch and she steered us […]
We took a long walk this morning up to the top of Madonna del Monte, the tallest peak on Elba. There is a chairlift that brings people up, but we took the path that is marked by 14 little white stone domes–stations with pictures of Jesus that look like phone […]
Here is a perfect cup of espresso. Note the thick ‘crema’ that’s what baristas the world over try to achieve. I drank one of these at about 7 pm one night last week and regretted it, as I tossed and turned ’til 4 am. Never again, at least at that […]
Some of the best moments on our trips are the times we arrange to meet ‘interesting local people’ and learn about fascinating work that is being done in the very place we are visiting. We had an eye-opening visit in Roberta Adami’s home this afternoon in the tiny village of […]
Elba is fantastico and fabuloso. I knew we’d like it here but I didn’t count on such stunning cliffside vistas, such gorgeous beaches, and such crisp dry wine and fresh from the sea meals. We began our day at the Hotel Ilio and met Maurizio, who had just returned from […]
Kerry Bell, Pietro Messina and Johnny, the family who make Grifoglia a homey, cozy place where people come to relax and unwind in the hills of Tuscany.
We drove the northern part of the island of Elba and this was one of the scenes en route. We took the state-owned ferry, Toremar, in the distance you can see the Moby Lines boat coming back from the island.
We have reached the far end of the island of Elba, and we finally have a solid internet connection. For those of you (God bless ya) who come here daily, thank you for your patience, and from now on I shall be able to give you a window into what […]
We are in the midst of a media fast. I did not realize this when we set up this trip, but the fact is that Grifoglia, with green fields and rolling hills, is in the sticks. There is nothing here except a big garden, a lovely pool, a stone house […]
After a twisting, turning, eyes-shut-in-the-back-seat ride up mountain roads, around curves you never, ever saw the end of, we finally made it to Grafoglia. We spied our hosts, Pietro and Kerry, outside by the garden and knew we had made it. What a gorgeous place it is! Located in the […]