Happy Journeys with Celebrate-Travel, Inc

Florence, Tuscany, Rome, and Amalfi Coast was the perfect honeymoon for Amy and Kevin

Hotel Savoy in Florence-great location and excellent service, very modern and very clean. The rooms were pretty hot even with the A/C but they brought us a fan which definitely helped. Rooms were very modern, great bath products. The gym was small but useable. The TV does not have a lot of English channels.  The concierge was so helpful, as was the front desk staff. Greeted us by name, took our picture, and made our reservations. Breakfast was delicious-continental style with lots of fruit, eggs, pastries, fish, meat, etc.

We went to the Uffizi and Academia Galleries.  Concierge arranged our tickets before we arrived and added to our hotel bill.  We walked around a lot-to Ponte Vecchio, Boboli Gardens (got there too late so they were closed), Michaelangelo’s Piazza, shopping, etc.

Private driver, Simone, was great-so nice and informative. Good sense of humor. He took us to Greve and Radda in Chianti and a few other small villages. Told us the history as we were driving and took time to stop for good pictures. We went to two wineries. Monterinaldi was our fav-best lunch of the trip. Beautiful grounds. Casa Emma was nice but not as intimate as Monterinaldi. He was very punctual and the car was very nice to spend the day in.

Took first class train to Rome-very nice and easy. Stored luggage at Roma Termini-so easy. We did the hop on hop off bus in Rome. I think we had about 7 hours total, including storing luggage, finding the bus, etc. We were able to stop at the Colosseum and do a tour, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City (we saw the Sistine Chapel and the grounds. The line at St Peter’s Basilica was too long).  

 

From Rome, we took the first class train to Naples. Giovanni picked us up and we drove two hours to Amalfi.

We went to Capri one day-so easy to take the ferry from Amalfi. About a ten-12 min walk to ferry from the hotel or the hotel had a shuttle service to drive you there.

Stayed at the pool most days. Went to Amalfi for dinner a few nights. Ate at the hotel twice but found that the best restaurants were the “typical” restaurants-more casual, homemade pasta, etc.  You could eat at the typical restaurants for about 40 euro, including drinks whereas the recommended “fancier” places tended to be more expensive-around 100 euro and up.

Went to Positano one day (lunch at Le Tre Sorelle)-took the boat which was nice to be on the water and also much less expensive than a taxi. Went to Ravello for dinner one night (Cumpa Cosimo)-took the local bus which was actually very nice and comfortable and so much cheaper than taking a cab. I think it was 4 euros round trip for the two of us!

Santa Caterina was very nice but not as modern as the Savoy.  The room was older, although pretty, but our view was partly of the street.  The concierges were all very nice, especially Mateo. The pool staff could have been more attentive but the pool area itself was amazing. The pool has seaside access-literally could jump from the lounge chair into the sea. Gorgeous. We ate lunch mainly at the hotel but the restaurant did not open until 1pm which was a little late for our taste but we found that we could ask for light snacks (olives, peanuts, pretzels) at the pool. Other than the main restaurant and room service, there was nowhere else to get food during the day at the hotel.

Anne’s services were wonderful-we felt that we had all the details to our trip and there were no surprises. She listened to what we wanted and made suggestions accordingly.  She was extremely attentive in making sure that we had all our materials and itineraries, including drivers, dates, etc.  She also recommended various excursions in each place that we stayed. We had a very well planned trip and were able to accomplish all that we wanted to.  It was great having pre-arranged transportation for our wine tour and transfers to Amalfi, as well as having the first class train ticket pre booked.  We would  (and already have) recommend her to anyone looking for a great travel agent who clearly takes pride in what she does and makes sure that her clients have the best vacation possible!

Join Anne on an exciting Western Med. Cruise

 

This sale includes the Western Med cruise that *I* am hosting on March 4, 2012!

Enjoy Exclusivity in a World of Choice with the newest private club at sea, MSC Yacht Club! Simply reserve a luxurious MSC Yacht Club suite to enjoy our special offer on select voyages. This credit can be used just as you wish, for instance, on Balinese massages in the MSC Aurea Spa. Our inclusive fare covers air, transfers, hotel and $200––or special $500––per suite shipboard credit. Plus, you'll enjoy a Mediterranean cruise in an exclusive enclave, complimentary wines and spirits, private restaurant and Butler service––all from $3,939pp**

Enjoy our limited time $500 shipboard credit on these select sailings: MSC FANTASIA | 11-Night Roundtrip Cruises ROME– Jan. 18, 2012 | BARCELONA– Jan. 9, 2012 MSC SPLENDIDA | 7-Night Roundtrip Cruises BARCELONA – Jan. 15 & 29, 2012 Additional MSC Yacht Club Sailings: MSC FANTASIA | 11-Night Roundtrip Cruises ROME– Feb. 20, Mar. 13, 2012 | BARCELONA– Feb. 11, Mar. 4, 2012 MSC SPLENDIDA | 7-Night Roundtrip Cruises BARCELONA – Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, 2012 Fares starting from $3,939* pp. Inclusive of: air, cruise, hotel, and transfers

Anne Rose Celebrate-Travel, Inc. 3450 Palmer Dr, Suite# 4-313 Cameron Park, CA, 95682 530-677-6454 annerose@celebrate-travel.com

 *Prices are USD, per person, double occupancy for residents of US and Canada. Rates include economy air and all applicable air taxes, one night hotel stay (date and hotel at line's discretion) and ground transfers. Offer is valid for all bookings deposited between Jun 15 - Aug 15, 2011. All Yacht Club Suites will receive $250 pp (max $500 per cabin) SBC. Offer cannot be combined with the permanent SBC component of the inclusive pricing. Air gateways include: NYC/BOS/ATL/MIA/ORD/DFW/IAH/LAX/YUL/YYZ in addition sailings of MSC Splendida include SFO. Flight arrangements from other U.S. and Canadian gateways can be made for an additional charge. Airline imposed charges including but not limited to baggage fees, special seating, and priority boarding fees are additional. Government fees and taxes vary by ship and departure port. Rate shown applies to the January 15, 29 (2012) ; February 12, 26 (2012) sailing of MSC Splendida from Barcelona (government fees and taxes of $76.69pp). MSC Cruise reserves the right to pass on any fuel surcharge without prior notice to all guests. Offer is capacity controlled, subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Certain restrictions may apply. MSC Cruises reserves the right to refuse to honor any prices/sailings/information that are erroneously printed or quoted. Offer expires August 15, 2011. Ships' registry: Panama.

David's & Cal's honeymoon in Hawaii with pix!

Hawaii was so incredible! Coming back to reality wasn’t easy at all…you were so wonderful to work with.  Our honeymoon was truly a dream come true!  You made the planning process so easy. Your passion for travel and your extensive knowledge about the islands made making decisions seamless.  We truly can't thank you enough!  I think David and I would agree that picking a favorite island is tough but I think our favorite is a close tie between Kauai and Lanai.   
The St. Regis and the Four Seasons were just so amazing! The scenery on both islands was just breath taking. David played golf on Lanai and I tagged along to take pictures which I would recommend to anyone! It was awesome! We LOVED the helicopter tour as well. It was a great way to actually see the island of Kauai and learn the history! Overall, I can’t say enough about our honeymoon or you. We look forward to planning our next big trip to Italy with you in a few years! Thanks again Anne! You are the BEST! with aloha, David and Cal 

Milestone Hotel , London, England March 2011

I was beyond tired from my nearly 24hr-long journey from CA (see ­­To Taxi or Not), and each passing step from the Underground to the Milestone required more energy than I thought I could muster. "A six minute walk from the Tube", the Milestone Concierge had told me, but six minutes in my current state seemed like forever. When I spied ahead a brick facade and draped banner and flags, my legs turned to lead, and I thought, oh please, please, please let that building be the Milestone. A brass plaque announced it was indeed my destination, and at that moment, a beaming doorman, elegantly clad in frock and hat, bounced from the steps, took my luggage from me with a 'Welcome! Welcome to the Milestone!".I was home.

 

I walked inside the cozy lobby to find more smiling staffers standing at attention, all with a "welcome, Ms Rose; we have been expecting you." How did they know my name, I wondered. And then it hit me: I had not received the dreaded, all-too-frequent and never acceptable "checking in?" from a bored and/or surly Front Desk clerk who couldn't be bothered to look up from her computer at me.

 

I knew, at that moment, that I was about to experience a truly extraordinary hotel stay.

 

Butler Fran O'Hanlon stepped forward to ask if I wanted to be shown my room or tour the hotel first. Had I said I was tired? Ha! I was positively energized by my gracious and sincere welcome party.

 

To this American, the Milestone, a member of the prestigious Red Carnation Boutique Hotels Collections, looks quintessentially English with dark woods, heavy drapes, patterned fabrics and lighting. The Milestone used to be a private home before myriad commercial uses and still retains the homey character of a private home: the parlor where they now serve afternoon tea, evening piano music, and anytime conversation, clearly was the original family parlor. The dining room with flickering fireplace added to the homey ambience (albeit an elegant and chic home). A little intimate corner near the main dining room is now perfect for private dining but is thought to have once been the family's private chapel.

 

The Jockey Bar made me wish I was a drinker. Horse and jockey paraphernalia adorned this dual-level space; leather couches and club chairs invited convivial get-togethers.

 

I really loved the Conservatory--light-filled space that even a gray sky could not dim.

 

While guiding me around, Fran offered a running commentary on the hotel's history, unusual photos, or artwork (all original art, by the way--a hallmark of every property in the Red Carnation Collection) and patiently answered my numerous questions.

 

We toured the spa and indoor pool (I didn't think to bring a swimsuit), upstairs, downstairs, and then Fran opened double doors to a magnificent suite: it was mine!!! The Mistinguette suite was mine!! Sumptuously large, the suite's name paid homage to a famous French singer/dancer, nicknamed Mistinguette, and as such, was decorated in a very French-y style: red, black, gray, and striping. A large marble bath, double vanity, huge soaking tub with bath salts and cales was glorious. turndown service would include bathrobes, slippers, and a welcome drink. A large foyer with two wardrobes framed the view in front of the French doors at the far end of the suite. Three steps up the floor was a little dais with bistro table and two chairs. Beyond were French doors that opened onto a terraced, awning-covered balcony with more tables and chairs, greenery, and which overlooked part of the Conservatory and herb garden. In warm weather, I do not think I should ever leave this idyllic retreat.

 

A vanity held a tray of exotic teas, coffee, French press coffeemaker, and electric tea kettle. Another impressive touch was the cache of personalized calling cards, in an engraved case, made just for me to use while a guest. I actually did use one once, too, when shopping at Penhaligon's. The manager said she would check on the availability of a certain item and asked where to reach me. I whipped out my Milestone Hotel calling card and felt like royalty indeed.

 

The decor of the Milestone is nothing short of fabulous: original, coordinated, authentic, and inviting. Beatrice Tollman, of the Tollman Family who heads up the Red Carnation collection, personally chooses the interior decorating schemes down to the fine details, such as pieces of Murano art sculptures on a guest room table. No detail overlooked, and nothing is haphazard or left to chance.

 

But while the decor of the Milestone is gorgeous, its truly the staff who raise this hotel experience above all others. Yes, it is a cliche to say the staff are the key, but at the Milestone, the staff not only enhance your experience, they are integral to your memories. Yes, I was always greeted by name--by everyone. Yes, all my needs were anticipated and fulfilled Yes, service was attentive and discerning and efficient. But more than all that--which in itself was stupendous--the hospitality was genuine, not contrived. I actually felt like a guest in a friend's home, that the staff cared about me, me personally, and that I didn't represent merely a number on an accounting ledger. It's hard for me to describe in words the vibe of feeling special and valued.

 

I chatted with General Manager Andrew Pike over a cup of tea and incredibly delicious soup about how I was enjoying the Milestone and how wonderful his staff was and how could they possibly remember all the guests' names? he agreed his staff made all the difference and were hired based on their service orientation, desire to please, and attention to detail, even going so far as to note whether the prospective hiree pushed in his chair at the conclusion of the job interview! A little detail, certainly, but an important one that reflects many other attributes, said Mr Pike.

 

Here is another impressive service of the Milestone: upon my booking, the concierge emailed me a guest preference form with all kinds of questions about my likes/dislikes and preferences. Now granted, this was not the first time a hotel had sent me a pre-check in guest preference form, but it definitely was the first time any hotel had actually read my answers and acted on them! When I settled into my Mistinguette suite, I realized that everything I had requested was actually in place. Marvelous: they cared enough to give me exactly what I'd wanted.

 

I am not exaggerating to say that I was sad to check out of the Milestone Hotel. While I was packing, my companion was already checking her calendar to see when she could return because, as she said, 'this was the best hotel I have ever stayed at."

 

Mr Pike handwrites the welcome notes to every guest, and they're not form letters either; he personalizes his welcome letter to each guest's particular circumstances. it is a task that takes him hours per day but one he feels is important. I agree, and I think it's his welcoming hospitality that that imbues the rest of his staff.

 

Truly an extraordinary hotel and deserving of its frequent ranking as the Top Hotel in the Uk. I would recommend this property to any of my luxury clients who appreciate genuine and unpretentious hospitality, personalized and gracious service, fine decor in an unbeatable Kensington location across from Kensington Palace and Gardens. The Milestone is my new favorite hotel in the world.

Westin Valencia--Spain June 2011

I loved this fabulous 5* property. Spanish mission-style facade in a square around a lushly landscaped interior courtyard. The lobby is spacious and inviting. Matteo greeted me at the door and personally escorted me to the Business Center and helped me log onto their complimentary computer for Internet access.

 

Check-in was quick and efficient. My deluxe accommodations were quintessential Westin: heavenly linens and bed, heavenly bath amenities, large room with views overlooking the flowers and fountains of the courtyard. My windows opened up so I could fresh, perfumed air instead of A/C if I wanted.

 

Desk, easy chairs, flat screen TV, complete tea and coffeemaking facilities, and minibar made for a supremely comfortable base of operations for my explorations of Valencia. With the historical city center a 10 minute walk away over the Bridge of Flowers, the Westin was extremely convenient.

 

Breakfast was also a heavenly affair (do you detect a theme here with 'heavenly'?): a humongous buffet of cold cuts and cured meats, tantalizing cheeses, incredibly ripe and picture-perfect Valencian fruits, cereals, pastries, and even a made-to-order omelette station.

 

As a vegan, I usually hve problems finding something nutritionally complete to eat when I'm away from home. But not at Westin Valencia! I was overjoyed to find that soymilk was a standard offering. Francisco, restaurant manager, was happy to make me a Super Blueberry Healthy Smoothie made with soy milk. When he learned I didn't eat dairy, he made a point of going into the kitchen to bring me two cartons of soy yogurt that was so delectably creamy (I find the soy yogurt in the US to be rather chalky tasty--not at Westin Valencia). then Francisco also brought me a plate of sweet, fully ripe Valencia fruits: luscious strawberries and blueberries, peaches, pineapple, and of course, all the fresh-squeezed Valencia orange juice I could drink. Fortified with such an amazing breakfast, I was ready to tackle a full day of Valencia sightseeing.

 

The other members of my group had raved about the Westin's homemade gazpacho which I had missed (I had opted for a heavenly bath instead of dinner on the night of our arrival). So I was craving for a taste of their soup.

 

I got my chance finally at my last breakfast at Westin before checking out. I told Ignacio, the F&B manager, that i was craving for a taste of their gazpacho, and to his credit, didn't remark on my odd breakfast request. But he went into the kitchen to get me a cup of their gazpacho and yes, it was delicious. No cucumbers in their gazpacho recipe, but I think the key is in the quality of the produce they start with.

 

I was really sorry to leave the Westin Valencia as it had everything a visitor could ask for: great location, terrific accommodations, incredible food and hospitality, gracious staff. Definitely a must-experience hotel in Valencia. I will be back.

Hotel Can Cera review--Mallorca Spain 2011

I was excited about staying at the Hotel Can Cera when I'd heard that this newly restored, ancient palace-turned-hotel had just opened, and we were slated to be its first guests. Wow! I love being first.

 

First impression of the hotel was awesome: a large wrought-iron gate, so Spanish in style, just on the inside of massive, ancient wooden doors, guarded the entrance to the courtyard, lush with palms and a profusion of colorful blooms. Staircases and window shutters with more wrought-iron reminded me of a movie set. I love feeling like I'm starring in my own movie--I guess it's the romantic in me. The staff came out to welcome us and gave a little of the estate's history. The courtyard and massive doors were large enough to accommodate the previous owners' horses and carriages. Just spectacular.

 

Inside, an intimate reception area really did look like it was a villa, not a hotel. And the hotel retained all the character of its former incarnations as a private home. Each room was different in shape and size and decor, totally unique. Yet the commonality was fine decor, a supremely comfortable bed and high-thread count linens, marble, slate, tile, and stucco, upscale bath and amenities. Wonderful textures everywhere.

 

Suffice to say that at the end of my 18hr days in Mallorca, I couldn't wait to return to the comfort and grace of the 5* Hotel Can Cera, which is centrally located in Palma, the main town on the island.

 

Breakfast was a delightful affair and yes, they did have soymilk. And as a special favor to me, the server did make me a fruit-soymilk smoothie which is not usually part of their cold cuts/cheeses/pastries/cereals/fruits repast. She also made me a cappuccino using soymilk which is a rare treat.

 

The staff here really go out of their way to accommodate guests' needs. With only 12 rooms, this boutique hotel prides itself on service. No business center, but the Front Desk has a complimentary laptop to lend to guests for free Internet access.

 

And our last morning, since we were checking out at 4:30am (yes, am) ,the kichen had prepared us hearty box breakfasts to sustain us.

 

I was sorry to leave Hotel Can Cera and Mallorca. I would stay here again in a heartbeat!

How to Make Nutella

Straight from the latest Italy magazine:

Re-create the iconic Italian treat at home!

A delicious chocolate-hazelnut spread doesn't need to come from a Nutella jar. For a healthier, do-it-yourself version, you can whip up homemade Nutella in your own kitchen.

How to make Nutella:

Ingredients

60 g roasted hazelnuts (just over two ounces)
100 g dark chocolate (3.5 ounces)
100 g sugar  (half cup)
70 g butter (5 TBSP)
70 g of milk (not quite a 1/3 cup)

Preparation

Grind the hazelnuts and the sugar until you get a fine powder, then add the chocolate into small pieces and blend for ten seconds more.

Melt the mixture bain-marie for ten minutes (do not boil) adding butter and milk and stirring constantly.

When it turns into a nice cream, place it immediately in jars. It keeps in the refrigerator for about ten days and is delicious with cakes or as a healthy snack for children.

Who wants a stroopwafel?

Photo and recipe courtesy of Viking River Cruises

LOCAL BITES: STROOPWAFELS

Originating in Gouda in the Netherlands, this delectable treat can be found throughout the region. They are sinfully addictive!

If you don't have a pizelle iron, try using a flat griddle or frying pan instead; flipping the waffle during cooking.

 

 

 

 

	Stroopwafels Waffles 1 package yeast ½ c. warm water 1 c. softened butter 4 c. flour ½ c. sugar 2 eggs   Syrup 1 ½ c. brown sugar 1 c. butter 1 tsp. cinnamon 6 tbsp. dark corn syrup Directions Add yeast to warm water and dissolve Mix softened butter with flour. Add eggs, sugar and yeast mixture.  Mix throughly. Allow mixture to rise for 30-60 minutes. Roll dough into 24 balls. Bake on a pizelle iron until golden. Split waffles in half, spread both sides with syrup.   Rejoin halfs.   Syrup Combine all ingredients and boil until tempurature reaches 235° - 240°F (soft-ball stage) Makes 24 servings.

You heard it from us first

You heard it from us first: Our favorite cooking school in Amalfi just placed second in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. From the desk of Chiara Lima:

Mamma Agata’s cookbook “SIMPLE AND GENUINE”  BEST COOKBOOK IN THE WORLD!!! CATEGORY “BEST EASY RECIPES”        We are soo…thrilled to announce that  Mamma Agata cookbook      “Simple and Genuine” is the WINNER of the  Gourmand World CookBook Awards" as “Best Cookbook in the World” in the category "Best easy Recipes" second only to Jamie Oliver cookbook!!  These awards for food and wine books are considered to be the ‘Oscars’ of the cookery world!!!!  This prize is for us SOO important…soo unbelievable…..and we are extremely happy because first we are self publisher and second is our first cookbook…but we are thinking to publish more books soon……!! The award infact is already giving great results because the book might be published in Germany…Switzerland…Austria and India in their own languages….and we have been invited to do a book tour in Canada, Hong Kong and Ireland!         Virginia Wine and Food Showcase In February me and Gennaro flew into Washington because we had the special privilege to be invited to the Virginia food and wine showcase !! We had four incredible days… cooking… doing cooking demonstration for 130 people…olive oil tasting…. TV appearance on CBS…..a long interview on a local Channel together with the famous writer Mr Joe David…etc… At the Showcase they gave us an unbelievable booth, they really treated us soo well and we sold lot of books and people that did not know about us …after the cooking demonstration and tasting the food came running to the booth to buy the book!! Also a  special thank you….goes to Ms Stefanie Bavaro for the special help she gave us during the Showcase…coming just for us from Washington and helping us with the booth…  This again was such a victory for us and we are extremely thankful to life !         CBS experience….sooo wonderful!!! On the 11th February we had the joy to be on TV again on the 9WUSA TV in Washington and we did the “Risotto with mushrooms and sausage”!! We want to give a special Thank you to the Virginia Food and Wine Showcase for inviting us and to Mr Joe David for arranging everything….taking care for the Virginia Showcase’s marketing, for treating us really like royal people…it was really nice to “TRAVEL WITH JOE”…may be a book will come from this experience…           COOKING SCHOOL STARTED at the beginning of March….. On the 6th March we opened again Mamma Agata’s  Cooking School…..this is our 14th Summers…. but wow…we must admit…for us is such a joy to open our door again to people coming from ALL OVER THE WORLD like the first day! It Is a joy to spend the day with them….to share our “Love and Passion” for cooking….to laugh with them….and sometimes to cry tears of joy with them… and we never get tired to see the joy in their eyes and in their Stomach :)!!!! It is hard to explain in words how strongly happy we feel to open the cooking school again and to welcome our students again!!! Every person that walk in our Cooking School is a very “SPECIAL PERSON” !!! Every day is a special day for us because we are blessed to welcome new students from each corner of the world  and share with them a “Special window in time”!!!!     Mamma Agata Cooking School ranked # 1 by TRIPADVISOR!!! THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!!!!   We just found out that Mamma Agata’s cooking school is “The most voted activity in Italy”!!! And #1 attraction!!! Me and my family want to deeply and sincerely thank EACH of you who wrote for us such wonderful words…thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! And remember we are ALWAYS here for you…always not only the day of the cooking class…that is the beginning of a new…endless friendship…….we mean it….   Cookbook available on AMAZON Mamma Agata’s Cookbook “ Simple and Genuine” is now available for sale on Amazon.com, on our website www.mammaagata.com at Rizzoli Bookstore and Eataly in New York, of course from the website www.mammaagata.com you can receive a signed copy with all our signatures and dedication…but we hope to do more book signing in USA very soon…...   VERY special  for us would be to receive your comments…. IT would really mean A LOT  for us if ALL OF YOU could kindly post your comments about Mamma Agata’s cookbook “Simple and Genuine” on www.tripadvisor.com and on Amazon.com !!!                     MAMMA AGATA’S PASTA…OLIVE OIL is arriving on your table soon!!! We are also soo thrilled to announce you that we will soon launch Mamma Agata’s pasta, olive oil and more….from next week the pastas ( spaghetti, pappardelle, penne) will be available for sale at the end of the cooking classes but we truly hope to have it available for sale on the website very soon and find distributors all over the world if you have any connection all your input will be extremely welcome!!!!        FAMILY CIRCLE We are soo happy to inform you that we will be in the April issue of Family Circle….        NOVEMBER TO USA AGAIN On the second week of November we will fly again to USA, we are going back to Chicago to the ABC for a live show!! To Washington on WUSA9 TV affiliate of CBS, in New York to cook at EATALY “La Scuola” as Mrs Lidia Bastianich has gently asked us to give some classes there…and more….   This is not the final schedule yet and  we hope that from now to the end of November we will be able to confirm other special appointments and and if you have any ideas or proposal we are OPENED to hear from you with GREAT JOY in our hearts as always…….

This is a really interesting piece of trivia about world-famous Bloody Mary's restaurant in Bora Bora

Invitation to Mamma Agata's Cookbook launch in New Jersey!

Hello Everyone!

Join Chiara, Gennaro and their kids, Mamma Agata's family from Ravello Italy, at the Bernards Inn on November 1 for a special evening of Italian wine, food and travel. Chiara has published an extraordinary collection of Mamma Agata's recipes that have been in the family for many years and  she will be doing a book signing.  This long awaited cookbook reveals Mamma's culinary secrets.  It is a cookbook that will be cherished by all food lovers especially those that have taken her cooking class on the Amalfi Coast. 

Don't be left out of the experience!

There will be over 150 wine vendors from Italy and the chef at the Bernard Inn will be presenting some of Mamma's antipasti recipes. 

 It is sure to be a fun evening and not to be missed!

  

 

 

Mamma Agata Dinner

 

Passed:

Mamma Agata’s Coccoli

Eggplant Rolls

Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Pizza with Basil, Tomato, and Mozzarella

 

Displayed:

Antipasti

 

Chaffers:

Eggplant Parmigana

Potato Dumpling with Sundried Tomatoes and Artichokes

Risotto with Mushroom and Sausage

Mamma Agata’s Meatballs in Tomato sauce

Penne Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

 

Dessert:

Mama Agata’s Lemon Cake

Mama Agata’s Apple tart

 

Come and meet Chiara and family and purchase your signed copy of her extraordinary cookbook!

Cost of the book: $50.00

 

For reservation please contact:

Tracey Mancini at the Bernards Inn

27 Mine Brook Road

Bernardsville.NJ

908.766.7300 ext 155

or email her at:

tmancini@bernardsinn.com

 

Cost of the event: $60.00 per person

Rizzoli Bookstore hosts a special book signing event with the one and only Mamma Agata

Costa Rica - The Tropical Triangle

10 Days / 9 nights - Daily Departures - Valid through December 10, 2010. Must be booked by September 30, 2010. Includes: 1 night at the Grano de Oro Hotel, in San Jose 2 nights at the Pachira Lodge, in Tortuguero 3 nights at the Arenal Springs Resort, in Arenal 3 nights at the Parador Spa & Resort, in Manuel Antonio Buffet Breakfast Daily All transfers within Costa Rica – mostly by Private Car Rainforest Exploration Program in Tortuguero (all meals and excursions) Half day Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs with dinner Half day Sky Tram & Sky Trek Adventure (Zip Lines) in Arenal Half day Manuel Antonio National Park Tour 9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches & 3 Dinners All Hotel Taxes and Service Charges Some restrictions apply

Pursue Your Passions

Enjoy the activities you love most such as golf, spa, dining, and water sports, or choose from one of our many private or shared excursions. Play golf amidst swaying palms or quiet countrysides. Cruise the sea on a luxury yacht. Or simply rejuvenate your mind and body with a spa treatment infused with local ingredients. Pursue a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Contact Us Today!

CALL US TODAY! 530.677.6454

Viking River Cruises Recipes - Almond Cake

A special thank you to Viking River Cruises for sharing one of their many delightful recipes with us. For more information on Viking River Cruises or for more recipes, please contact us at info@celebrate-travel.com Bundt pans have been around for at least 100 years; they feature in the 20th-century Settlement Cookbook so many of us rely on. Based on ceramic or cast-iron German Bundtkuchen pans, these pans—now mostly made of aluminum—produce a graceful ring-shaped cake that is very evenly cooked. You might find this lovely cake, flavored with delectable almond paste, in any of the confiseries that dot Belgium’s countryside.

 Ingredients:

One-quarter pound unsalted butter, room temperature
Three-quarters cup sugar
One cup almond paste
Three eggs
One-third teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
One-quarter teaspoon almond extract
One tablespoon Kirsch or Grand Marnier
One-quarter cup cake flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8" springform pan with baking parchment or butter and flour a bundt pan. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add almond paste and beat well. Add eggs one at a time and beat. Add baking powder, salt, almond extract and liqueur; stir to combine well. Fold in flour gently and do not overmix. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 35–45 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean; make sure you don’t underbake. Cool slightly on a cookie rack.

SERVING SUGGESTION: Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries.

Makes 10-12 servings.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise Day 8

Nuremberg, December 17, 2009—It would be a shame if Nuremberg was only remembered for its Nazi stadium, Kongresshalle, and the post-war Nazi trials. While acknowledging that one dark chapter in its history, Nuremberg has so much more to offer.

Like a rich history of culture, prosperity, and Renaissance intellectualism. And like gingerbread! For us gingerbread fiends, this Gingerbread Capital of the World is nirvana. Its famed Elisen Lebkuchen is like none other, and in fact, the ingredients are strictly regulated, much like a celebrated wine variety.

Besides gingerbread—as if that’s not enough—Nuremberg also hosts Germany’s largest Christkindlmarkt with over 200 stalls and the Christkind angel benignly keeping watch over the festivities.

Nuremberg is also renowned for its toys, and the thousands of children that we saw on holiday confirmed that Nuremberg delights children today as it has for centuries.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise Day 7

Bamberg, December 16, 2009—Tiny Bamberg near the confluence of the Main and Regnitz rivers has been nicknamed Little Rome and Little Venice; like Rome, it was built on seven hills. And like Venice, water plays an integral role with the river running through the village, shops and houses lined along the canal, and even a fisherman’s colony.

The Rathaus (City Hall) is perched on an island in the middle of the river to equitably serve the two districts that sprang up on opposite sides of the river. The Cathedral, called Dom in Germany, dates to 1012 and houses the only papal tomb in Germany (Pope Clement II).

Viewing the lovely Christmas displays along the Nativity Walk puts you in the right mood. And when you’re tired from exploring the medieval alleyways or Christmas Market, perhaps it is time to taste the famous local brew, Rauchbier (smoked beer).

Our day in Bamberg ended with an unexpected snowfall that cast a soft glow on this lovely little village.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise Day 6

Wurzburg, December 15, 2009—our luxury River Duchess ship overnighted in delightful Wurzburg. Just when you think the villages in Germany could not get any more picturesque, along comes another picture-postcard-perfect town—like Wurzburg, also called Little Prague.

One of the best examples of Baroque architecture and the European Renaissance is manifested in the Wurzburg Residenz, a stunning palace which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But of course, I was here for the Christmas Markets, and Wurzburg’s 200 yr-old Christkindlmarkt does not disappoint. Wandering the elaborately decorated wooden stalls, inhaling the fragrance of fir trees, sausages, and lebkuchen, and sharing in the camaraderie of the German locals really puts you in the Christmas spirit. And I love the focus on the Nativity scene in all the Christmas Markets.

In this particular Market, I found one stall selling handcarved wooden figurines from the famed Erzgebirg region. I purchased the most incredible smoker doll: it was a peddler at a Christmas Market selling tiny handcarved arches and pyramids—a mini replica of the Christmas Market stalls themselves. Definitely an heirloom, and the price was reasonable, too. Just a perfect remembrance of a perfect Christmas Markets experience.

Enrichment activities on board the River Duchess

Enrichment activities on board the River Duchess, December 18, 2009—our Cruise Director for this fantastic river cruise was Bart, a multilingual Dutch fellow who was witty, entertaining, and incredibly knowledgeable. He ensured that our daily walking tours were executed seamlessly, that our local guides were all top-notch, that onboard activities were interesting and varied, and that we were always briefed before our arrival in the next village. During our sail along the Rhine’s UNESCO portion, Bart kept a running commentary on the castles we passed at every bend in the river.

One particularly memorable evening, Bart delivered a riveting lecture on the reunification of Germany. I’m not a history buff, so frankly, when this was announced, my eyes rather glazed over. But if I had attended lectures in school like Bart gave, I might not have such awful memories of history class. Suffice to say that it was enlightening, incisive, and captured everyone’s imagination. Besides all his other abundant skills, Bart is a gifted storyteller.

No wet-Tshirt contests or Dating Games on the River Duchess (thankfully); our onboard activities were more enriching and intimate and designed to immerse us in the local culture. One evening a shanty choir came aboard for a concert in the panoramic Lounge. Another night brought Master Glassmaker Karl Ittig from Wertheim who brought all his glassblowing equipment for an amazing demonstration of his art. An oompah-band and local children’s choir regaled us other nights, while our accommodating crew serenaded us with Christmas songs another night.

One afternoon while we were sailing to the next village, our Pastry Chef Georgy wowed us with his skills in creating edible works of art, all within minutes. And yes, we got to taste his creations.

 And when we boarded the shuttle for our transfer back to the airport at the end of our river cruise, Bart stood on the gangway waving us goodbye. Snow fell softly around Bart and our River Duchess, and it was really the perfect ending to a perfect holiday.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise Day 5

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, December 14, 2009—Our River Duchess ship docked along the shores of Wurzburg on the Main River, and saving Wurzburg for later, we boarded a bus for Rothenberg ob der Tauber (the Tauber river being too small for navigation). This is one of the most picturesque towns in all of Germany. It dates to the 12^th century and is one of the best preserved medieval cities in all of Europe. Visiting Rothenberg is like stepping into a time warp, replete with half-timbered buildings, narrow cobbled lanes, and an intact fortified wall surrounding the entire village. At 900 yr old, its history is rich with exciting tales of conquest and near-conquest, poverty and famine alternating with prosperity and abundance. Take a walk around the 2 km city walls for birds’ eye views of the entire city. Visit the Criminal Museum which documents medieval punishment and torture. Perhaps browse the doll museum. Or take a Night Walk with the Watchman for an entertaining and informative storytelling session as you are transported back to medieval times. The marketplatz was alive with gaily decorated wooden stalls selling Christmas wares, gorgeous woolens and yarns, incredibly delicate handcarved items from the famous Erzegeberg region, and of course plenty of foods, including the local specialty, schneeballen (snowball). Or indulge in a special Weinachtsbier—a special dark beer, brewed by one of the local breweries and available only at Christmastime, and only in Rothenberg. Worth a visit for that alone! Spend a day, spend a week in Rothenberg—the ambience is uniquely Franconian.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise Day 4

Wertheim, December 13, 2009--On our sail down the Main River to Wertheim, we woke up to falling snow, softly blanketing the countryside. As the flakes gathered on the fir trees on the river banks, a hush fell over our breakfast group in the panoramic dining room, to a one murmuring how magically the landscape had transformed. Our docking point in Wertheim was a scant block from the city center and Christmas Market. The narrow winding cobblestoned streets of Wertheim and half-timbered buildings could have been plucked from a fairy-tale storybook, and with the still-falling snow, the ambience was palpable. Wertheim's Christmas Market intimacy reflected the smallness of this village. In contrast to some larger cities whose markets span the entire Advent season, Wertheim's christmas market was for 3 days only, and we were fortunate to have timed our visit on this last day. We savored hot, freshly roasted chestnuts while we ambled along the streets, finding our way to the glass museum and shop. Among other things, Wertheim is famous for its handblown glass, and there are currently six master glass-blowers in this town. Indeed, we were informed that all Gallileo thermometers in the world come from Wertheim's glassblowers. Naturally we had to select some unique Christmas ornaments, not found elsewhere. Certainly they are treasures that will be passed down. We continued strolling in the snow, passing an old-world St Nicholas mingling with the crowd and talking with the children. Fortified with a hot cider, we walked back to the River Duchess, satisfied with another perfect day.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise Day 3

Heidelberg, December 12, 2009--Heidelberg was our stop today. Our River Duchess docked along the Main riverbanks of Frankfurt, and then we traveled by bus for about an hour to reach the ancient city of Heidelberg, situated on the Neckar River. This is the quintessential German romantic village. The grand ruins of Heidelberg Castle dominate the cliffs overlooking the village and Neckar River below. Besides the castle, Heidelberg is also home to the oldest university in the world, Heidelberg University, founded in the 1100s. This village exudes history, tradition, and wisdom. The Haupstrasse is a 2 km long pedestrian shopping thoroughfare and during the Christmas season, it seems there is another Christmas Market every block or so, giving each one its own neighborhood personality. Ornately decorated wooden stalls sold traditional German foods, regional specialties, woodcarvings, candles, Christmas decorations, woolens, and of course, the ubiquitous Gluhwein. I especially loved the wooden pyramids and wooden arcs depicting the Nativity or winter scenes. And I'm partial to smoker dolls, so rarely seen in our country. Smokers are wooden figures that come in thousands of styles, and I am really drawn to the tradesmen, such as basket sellers or bird peddlers. They split apart to reveal a spot to insert a cone incense, whose smoke is emitted in an appropriate place in the figure's design. For example, the smoke from a baker smoker doll might emanate from the baker's oven or from a tray of cookies held by the baker smoker. Smokers can be very simple and plain or quite complex and artistic. They are all clever and unique, and the better ones are hand carved in Germany by traditional methods. You should spend at least a day in Heidelberg.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise: The Wining and Dining

Sailing Wurzburg to Bamberg, December 15, 2009—another incredibly relaxing day on the River Duchess. We left Wurzburg around noon and embarked on a leisurely sail down the scenic Main to Bamberg, where we are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Good time to talk about the food on this river cruise since delicious cuisine is integral to any memorable journey. In a word: amazing.

Executive Chef Milos leads a team of six talented chefs in a compact yet fully equipped galley of about 900 sq feet. Imagine whipping out approximately 360 made-to-order, multi-course meals per day, each course a work of art. Each meal is inspired, cooked with freshly purchased supplies while in town. And I don’t mean simple courses either. Salads comprise a variety of greens, vegetables, cheeses, and nuts with fresh made dressings. Soups are spectacular, for example, red lentil cream soup, a vegetable consommé that I would love to be able to replicate at home, carrot and ginger soup, mustard cream soup, to name just a few. These soups are just the best I have ever tasted and in fact, could constitute an entire meal with a slab of freshly baked bread—except that on the River Duchess, Chef Milos has other tempting dishes that demand tasting. So I oblige.

 

Dessert is not to be missed, no matter how satiated you think you are. One chef is dedicated entirely to pastries, and Georgy turns out delectably tender pastries, light cookies with lovely decorations, cream puffs, cakes, tortes, and puff pasty confections. For a guest’s special birthday celebration, he created a light, 4 layer torte with berry puree between the layers. Mmmmm. Georgy honored the passengers with a Christmas cookie baking (and tasting) demonstration, and naturally, he made it look easy to roll out a chunk of cookie dough to wafer thinness. And with a flick of his wrist, there were suddenly Christmas trees, mushrooms, and bells before our eyes. Georgy kindly passed out his Christmas cookie recipe to everyone, but I suspect the secret ingredient is really his confident technique.

 

Each of the chefs under Milos’ expert leadership has his own specialty, whether it is divine soups or the salads or entrees. Every meal a different menu item; in fact, I don’t remember seeing the same dish served twice on this entire cruise. When you have so many culinary geniuses working at a feverish pace in 1,000 sq ft, the kitchen could easily heat up. So I think that’s where Chef Milos’ executive leadership creates a cohesive team in extracting the best of everyone. The Executive Chef creates the menu and oversees the entire kitchen operations. Well done, Milos. Consistently the best meals I have ever eaten in my travels—or at home for that matter. It will be most difficult to return to my pedestrian homecooked meals after experiencing Chef Milos’ teams’ creations. Sigh.

 

Getting all that delicious food to the passengers in a timely manner is the responsibility of Restaurant Manager Francisco. A young man, he has already worked half his life managing restaurants in the world’s best ocean cruise liners, and now Uniworld is fortunate to have him onboard. Clearly his wait staff admires his abilities and leadership, and that translates to excellent customer service. Personable, efficient, and gracious, Francisco seamlessly ensures that diners are served what they want, when they want. Customer service is impeccable, attentive yet not obtrusive. Within a day, it seemed that the wait staff was attuned to all the passengers’ food preferences and idiosyncrasies—no mean feat.

 

Francisco is also solicitous of dietary restrictions, and in the case of our vegan diets—admittedly restrictive and confounding to most restaurants we have attempted to patronize—Francisco personally trudged to specialty food stores in port to buy us vegan foods to supplement the ship’s regular food stores—and in his ‘free’ time, no less! That is what I call exceptional service.

 

For those who enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, several wine varieties are freely poured which complement the gourmet meal. Also in Francisco’s domain is the bar staff in the Lounge, serving up traditional and specialty drinks, light breakfasts and lunches, and a delightful afternoon tea time with Dariusz’ musical accompaniment.

 

Under Francisco’s attentive guidance, the wait staff excels in the delivery of a crucial element in the enjoyable memories of a vacation. No one goes hungry or thirsty on this River Duchess cruise.

 

All the staff I have encountered—not just in the dining areas—are uniformly cheerful, friendly, courteous, and helpful. It will definitely be a hard landing to everyday life after the pampering of the River Duchess staff. Only two more days of this unforgettable cruise before I fly home. I’m dreading it already.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise Day 2

Rudesheim, December 10, 2009--our River Duchess parked along the riverbank of Rudesheim, a bare 3 minute walk from the town. Really an adorable little village of friendly locals with that home-town feel that transcends borders. Very narrow cobblestone streets--pedestrian only--led up and down the hill adorned with elaborately decorated wooden stalls selling sausages, potato latkes, lebkuchen, Gluhwein, spaetzle, crepes, and pretzels. And beyond food, you could buy any manner of handmade German Christmas decorations or exquisite woolens. A life-size Nativity display was the focal point of the Christmas Market, which also featured miniature ponies, lambs, bunnies, and sheep. A veritable forest of gaily lit fir trees added to the winter wonderland effect. Add a mini choo-choo train for the kids, and it's easy to understand why the Christmas Markets are primarily for the locals' pleasure, not kitschy tourist traps. Rudesheim is one of my favorite little villages in this part of Germany.

Rhine/Main Christmas Markets River Cruise Day 1

Cologne, Germany, December 9, 2009--Our Uniworld cruise ship, the River Duchess, was docked along the Rhine riverbanks in Cologne, close to the Chocolate Factory and a ten minute walk from the Cologne Dom. Cologne is a charming city of 600,000 denizens yet feels much more intimate than that. A quick walking tour of the historical center took us down cobbled streets with half-timbered houses, a couple of Christmas Markets (Cologne has numerous Christmas Markets scattered throughout the city, and you can hop on a Christmas Markets train-trolley and visit all of them), and past several breweries serving the uniquely local brew, Kolsch beer. A festive atmosphere prevailed with all the locals turning out for animated conversations, camaraderie, and the requisite sausages and Gluhwein, a type of hot mulled wine. Cologne, also called Koln, is worth at least a day's stopover and an excellent starting point to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Hotel Buchholz--in the heart of Cologne's historical center

After 21 hours of traveling, we arrived at Cologne, Germany's train station utterly wiped out. Good thing our lodgings at Hotel Buchholz were barely a five minute walk from the train station. Before we left the train station, however, we took advantage of the many services offered: withdrew cash in the local currency from a handy ATM, refilled simple OTC meds from the apothoke, and picked up some vegan foods from the well-stocked health food store. The Cologne Banhopf is a treasure trove of stores and services.

A five minute walk later, we were warmly welcomed into Hotel Buchholz, an unassuming inn owned by Sascha Buchholz, grandson of the founder, and his beautiful wife Natasha. Comprising only 15 rooms, the Hotel Buchholz is a real gem for many reasons. The convenience of its location--close to the train station, the Cologne Dom (Cathedral), and historical city center--can't be beat. But convenience alone would never justify staying in unkempt accommodations or suffering with terrible service. So here is where the Hotel Buchholz really shines. Sascha and Natasha and their staff of friendly helpers deliver a home-y experience with all the warmth you'd expect to find from close friends, coupled with the professional assistance of innkeepers who know their city well. In fact, you really do feel like old friends by the time you check out regardless of how short your stay is.

Compact, yet offers the amenities you'd expect or hope to find, such as a cozy bar where you can enjoy a relaxing drink or complimentary coffee or tea, expertly served by Vartan, accompanied by friendly conversation. Very convivial atmosphere. The hotel also has a dining room where guests can savor a hearty breakfast in the morning. And I mean hearty: vegetables, fruits, cheeses, platters of meat and break baskets served tableside, a huge assortment of fresh juices, variety of cereals, and homemade jams. We inquired about vegan options, realizing that Germany is typically a meat-and-potato-and--cheese country. Sascha surprised us with a bountiful feast by going to the market--just for us--to purchase an array of vegan 'sausages', herbed spreads, vegan 'butter', and soy milk--and even vegan 'pudding' which was new to us. And feast we did, since it was our first real meal after surviving the better part of two days on trail mix. This was totally unexpected and beyond the minimum standards that passes for customer service these days, yet typical of the kind of individualized attention and incredibly thoughtful touches Hotel Buchholz lavishes on its guests.

The rooms are adequately furnished. But the bed was supremely comfortable, and we dived under the lofty down comforters, tasty warm, and drifted off to sleep in mere seconds. In-room bathrooms vary in size; some have showers only and others are combination shower-tubs. Our bathroom this time had a large tub in which we could totally stretch out--a rarity--and soak our limbs. Junior suites also have a separate sitting room.

There is a computer kiosk off the bar with free Wi-Fi, and if you brought your own laptop, there's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel--an extremely convenient service.

For all this hotel offers, and the reasonable prices charged, Hotel Buchholz ranks among the best values we have seen in Europe.