Q&A with Dream of Italy and Subscription Giveaway
I am so excited to have Kathy McCabe, the founder of the award-winning newsletter, Dream of Italy, stopping by today! Kathy and I have partnered together before – in fact, you can see my contribution in her new FREE Christmas in Italy Guide! Perfect for the Holidays.
Kathy and I have one very important thing in common. Our love for Italy.
Kathy was kind enough to agree to a little interview. And to help me kick-off my new website- Kathy is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a entire year’s subscription to the Dream of Italy publication!
So, let’s chat with Kathy!
MM: Kathy, how did you fall in love with Italy?
DOI: I fell in love with Italy right after college when my mom took me on a graduation trip to Italy. Our itinerary included the major destinations – Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi but we decided to add a decidedly untouristy destination to our plan – the small town Castelvetere sul Calore – in the mountains of Campania, near Avellino.
This is the town my mother’s grandfather left for the United States at the end of the 19th century. No one from our immediate family had been back and we – two blonde Americans who didn’t speak any Italian showed up there one day. It was one of the most incredible days of my life – about 20% of the town had my mother’s maiden name, we learned that anyone with that name only came from this town and that our family were originally Norman invaders. I ended up falling in love with Italy and going back any chance I could and returned to my ancestral home town several times again as well.
MM: What part of Italy is your favorite and why?
DOI: Picking my favorite part of Italy is like picking a favorite child. But I’ll play along. My favorite city in Italy is Rome; I am just mesmerized by the mix of antiquity and modernity. I also think Turin is a special and undiscovered city offering incredible museums and cuisine. In general, I’m partial to all of southern Italy. I’m completely enamoured with Puglia – gorgeous beaches, beautiful vineyards, the biggest olive trees I have ever seen. I also love Basilicata – especially the seaside paradise of Maratea.
MM: What is your favorite Italian recipe- you know the kind you’d eat every day and never tire of?
DOI: Depending on the season, when I’m heading over to Italy there are a number of dishes I can’t wait to eat. Stuffed zucchini flowers is one of my favorites. I love visiting Tuscany, Umbria or Piedmont during truffle season and enjoying truffles in a variety of dishes especially on pasta. Who isn’t a gelato fan? My favorite flavor is straccitella.
MM: Can you share your most memorable moment in Italy?
DOI: I have so many memorable moments from my travels throughout Italy. The ones closest to my heart are definitely from that first day I stepped foot in Castelevetere sul Calore. I have a wonderful memory of visiting Rome for Christmas and standing with my parents in St. Peter’s Square at midnight on Christmas Eve to observe midnight mass. The hottest I have ever been and coldest I have ever been in my life have been in Italy! Hottest – Venice – August 2003 when an unbelievable heatwave was hitting Europe. Coldest – February 2006 – watching the snowboard cross at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
MM: Dream of Italy has a subscription special running right now. Can you tell us about that?
DOI: Sure. Right now, we do have a terrific susbcription package which you can read more about at the Dream of Italy website.
A subscription includes-
+ 10 issues over the coming year
+ online access to 70 back issues
+ BONUS DVD – Visions of Italy: The Great Cities
And I’ll give one of your readers the online subscription – $39 value.
________
Thanks so much for chatting with me Kathy! It was great getting to know you better!
And since Kathy has been nice enough to give-away an online subscription and bonus DVD, I thought we would have a little fun with it!
All you need to do, is leave a comment on this post between now and midnight EST on December 1st, telling us why you Dream of Italy! I will randomly pick a winner on December 2nd, and announce the winner on the blog.
In bocca al lupo, all of you Italophiles!
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November 23rd, 2009
I dream of Italy because the only time I went, I discovered on my trip — by way of non-stop nausea and fatigue — that I was newly pregnant. When I think of Rome, even 14 years later, I still feel a visceral body upset because that’s where I was at my sickest. So, I dream of Italy to replace those memories with better ones. (And I would love to take my son, now that he’s on the “outside”!)
November 23rd, 2009
I dream of Italy even when I am not here. I dream of the steep, Calabrian cliffs, the warm, turquoise waters and yes, Kathy, the gelato! I like pistachio. Yum!
November 23rd, 2009
My dreams of Italy are to see and experience even more of it than I already have. Living in the alps here trying to help others discover our part of “off the beaten path” Italy doesn’t always leave much time for further afield exploring. So I try to eplore right here and there is such a wealth of tradtional foods, wines and culture here that I have my work cut our for me. BTW Kathy, if you want to hunt for our abundant Porcini mushrooms while exploring Val Chisone, which is just over the mountain where you were freezing when you were in Bardoneccia at the Olympics, we’d love to show you around. The invite is always there.
November 23rd, 2009
I dream of Italy – because my husband is from there, his family is still there, we honeymooned there — and we visit often. But most of all I dream of Italy because I wish others would see and share what most Italians have known since forever – with family together at a big table with all sorts of food (much home grown!) laughing, talking, shouting, loving — that is to be truly blessed beyond all else!
November 23rd, 2009
What a great giveaway! I dream of Italy because quite simply it’s under my skin. I have been innamorato with Italia (the country, it’s architecture, it’s history, the food, the people, okay pretty much EVERYTHING about it) from the moment my plane touched down there for the first time when I lived there many years ago. I go back as often as I can, it’s necessary ; )
(btw Robin, LOVE LOVE the redesign! It’s favoloso)
November 23rd, 2009
I still have dreams about the gorgeous stone beaches in Cinque Terre.
November 23rd, 2009
I dream of Italy because ever since I saw a television show about the Tuscany’s hill towns, my biggest goal in life was to see those towns for myself.
That first trip to Italy in 2004 taught me that I could attain what I once believed was not attainable. I was in the midst of a bankruptcy and working 3 jobs, 7 days a week trying to keep myself afloat. Italy became the gift I gave myself for keeping my head above water when drowning appeared imminent.
Italy represented all the good things I ever wanted in life and continues to represent that in my hopes that I will one day make it my permanent home.
I love reading this blog. Thanks!
November 23rd, 2009
Today is my birthday and what a great way to celebrate it. Remembering Italy!!!. My first trip to Europe was in 1998 and it was to visit Italy. It was a turning point in my life; it was not the same anymore. Everything I did and saw there still inside me: the history, the food, the people, the nature, the art, the language, the handsome italians… the whole experience!
After that I came back to the states and one year later I was living in Tuscany for the whole year. The little travelling monster inside me woke up and I made Europe my travelling destination ever since. Every year since I go to Europe and I have been able to find new friends living there , that latelly I just go to visit them and live the experience all over again. And I can’t wait till the next time. Baci.
Auguri! Buon Compleanno Naomy!
November 23rd, 2009
Who does not dream of Italy? I try to visit as often as I can and savor every experience. I spent last Christmas in Rome and had a fantastic time!
My goal is to one day have visited each village like a local.
November 24th, 2009
I love Italy! I mean how can you not? The passion of the people, the foods, the lifestyle, the language – all just fantastically wonderful. It is definately a place I love to revisit often.
Robin I love the new look of your blog!
November 24th, 2009
Wow this is fab. I Dream of Italy, for its friendliness of the people, the views, the atmosphere, and its beauty. And of course the wonderful foods you get over there. I have had 3 wonderful holidays there, different areas , and it was so beautiful in each place. Sicily, Lake Como and Liguria…everyone must visit!
November 24th, 2009
I’m dreaming of returning to Italy… this time with my Italian American husband! We want to go to Sassinoro, in Campania where his family came from and explore Southern Italy. Thoughts of strolling little towns, sipping espresso, chatting (trying at least!) in Italian with locals, and eating local dishes float through my mind all day!
November 24th, 2009
I dream of Italy because my grandparents were born, married, and had their first child in Italy before immigrating to the USA in 1906. My father and his siblings (except his oldest brother) were first generation Americans. I want to see the town my grandparents came from and find more about the family history. My grandmother’s family name is still the the name of the largest number of families in Lucito Molise Italy. My grandfather’s family still has a presence in Lucito, also. I feel a deep seated longing to visit my Italian roots. I’ve been to France twice but each time there was no extra time or money to visit southern Italy. Perhaps my dream will still come true….
November 25th, 2009
I dream of Italy because of the way I feel when I am there – the lovely language, delightful people, exquisite food, tastes and smells completely envelope me in a way that never quite happens on this side of the pond.
Compliments on the new design, it looks great!
December 1st, 2009
I dream of Italy because, even though I’m not Italian, it just feels like home.
May 28th, 2010
What was Kathy’s mother maiden name? I was born in Rome and I am currently living abroad, but I spent all my childhood during summertime in Castelvetere sul Calore where my mum is from.
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