How to prepare real ragù at home?

How to prepare real ragù at home?
Ragù is one of the basic dishes prepared in province of Bologna. Just like in case of parmigiano there are some popular myths to address in this blog. Ragù is often called outside Italy ‘alla bolognese‘ and it usually means a sauce prepared of tomatoes and meet and served with pasta. If you wish to try the real ragù you need to visit Bologna or you can prepare it at home following my recipe. This is important, however, ... Read more

Mantova the hometown of Rigoletto

Mantova the hometown of Rigoletto
While Mantova is not in top 10 most visited places in Italy I think it is worthy to spend there at least one afternoon. I would call it a typical Italian mid-size town. It has charming architecture and atmosphere of a friendly place. You should take a lazy walk around three main squares in the city center: Piazza dell’Erbe, Piazza del Broletto and Piazza Sordello. This city is a perfect place for all history, literature and ... Read more

Secrets of Swedish Lapland

Secrets of Swedish Lapland
Lapland is a truly unique place. For many reasons. For me my first visit in Lapland was totally overwhelming and since then I visit Lapland at least once a year. There is a short funny story about the whole idea. A story that is known by all my friends too well (sorry guys, it looks like there are more than 200 people following this blog so let’s made it public. Besides, even if it was told hundred times, I still LIKE IT!). ... Read more

Krav maga – It hurts!

Krav maga – It hurts!
If someone is telling you that learning any martial art won’t hurt he LIES! Naturally, if you start thinking about the new skill you probably imagine yourself as a person who already has successfully acquired it. If it comes to martial arts you have no problems to imagine a lovely picture with a combat that you have just won. Yes, you are prepare for an effort but somehow deep inside your head there is this ... Read more

Why parmesan is not Parmigiano?

Why parmesan is not Parmigiano?
I think this is highly controversial theme to write about. For a large group of people there is no difference between Parmigiano-Reggiano and parmesan. The other half of the world is confused about it finding contradictory information on food&kitchen blogs about this issue. Even on the official BBC website you find the following phrase: “Parmesan, or Parmigiano-Reggiano to give it its proper name…”. Well, ... Read more

How to get to the paradise? – Dolomites!

How to get to the paradise? – Dolomites!
It’s pretty straightforward: you just take your mountain boots and you climb as high as you can. The views from the mountain peak grab you and throw you in another dimension. While climbing requires a certain level of physical condition and it takes time to build fitness I have something for you that can be done with minimal effort. A short but awesome track in the Dolomites: from Miralago to Fuciade. With the sun shining and ... Read more

In memory of Nicolas Bouvier

In memory of Nicolas Bouvier
Just yesterday 84th anniversary of Nicolas Bouvier’s birth passed (1929-1998). I would like to share one of many thoughts on traveling found in Le vide et le Plain, Carnets du Japon 1964-1970. “Too many people expect from the journey too much without thinking of what travel expects from them. They wish to get healed from their particular imperfections with the change of the place of residence, and the passion of the ... Read more

Washington DC and Cherry Blossom Festival

Washington DC and Cherry Blossom Festival
When I went to Washington for the first time I didn’t know what to expect. For many reasons the city was puzzling. Being a home for the government, embassies and all this official business it was so diverse than New York city and other American metropolis. Washington is really special: without skyscrapers and overwhelming noise it tries to convince you that the most important things in this country take place ... Read more

Burano, the most colorful island in Italy

Burano, the most colorful island in Italy
Not many guidebooks encourage you to visit Burano- a small island near Venice. Usually, Venice with its fascinating story and remarkable monuments is in the spotlight of attention. In spite of this hegemony I would like to recommend a visit in a truly fascinating place called Burano. I am pretty sure that if you go there you will not regret it. Such a colorful spot is hardly find in Europe and it reminds South America rather than ... Read more

Rainy day in Bristol

Rainy day in Bristol
You must be very lucky to see Bristol in the sun. I wasn’t. OK, let’s be fair and let’s say that ONE afternoon was SUNNY. The rest of my stay in Bristol was cloudy, rainy and foggy.  Let’s not say a word about the stereotypes and let’s just say it was simply rainy. And it was not typical English weather. It might have happened elsewhere as well. I enjoyed my stay in Bristol very much. Despite the bad ... Read more