Like many travelers, I agonize over finding the perfect hotel-the ideal resting spot that strikes the balance between making me feel at home … and making me feel pampered.

And friends, I’ve found my home away home … in Rome.

My husband and I first met Paola, the perky, bright-eyed owner of Roma Axa 27 on that fateful February night when we rushed from our home in Catanzaro to join my family in Texas.

Not only did she open her home to us, but she welcomed us with open arms-and an open heart-and I’ll always be thankful for her graciousness.

In the last seven months, I’ve visited Paola and Roma Axa 27 on several more occasions-in fact, when traveling to or through the Rome airport, I wouldn’t stay anywhere else.

This B&B is everything a small, family-run hotel should be-it is spotlessly clean, the owner is generous and friendly and the extras-such as complimentary in-room bottled water, tea and crackers make it the perfect place to stop-over when traveling through Rome.

Both of the rooms have a private bath-one with en-suite bath-and transfers to and from the airport are included in the price-which ranges from €35-€40 per person.

There is a piazza located about 300 meters from Roma Axa 27, where travelers can venture to the heart of Rome via a 30-minute bus ride or choose to shop, have dinner or enjoy an evening passeggiata.

You can read more about Roma Axa 27 at RomeAirportAccommodations.com. To make a reservation or to check availability, email Paola at roma.axa.27 (at) gmail (dot) com or call (39) 340 3586057.

Be sure to tell her Cherrye sent you!

Happy Labor Day everyone and a very Happy Birthday to my little sister who is set to enjoy the last year in her current decade! Auguri, Charlee.

 
Last week I was surprised-and honored-to be named one of the 15 great new travel blogs over at Inside the Travel Lab. Besides being  flattered that other travel bloggers read My Bella Vita, I’m happy to know that all of my hard work, research and writing is going to good use.
 
So today, I’m passing the torch … here are 15 of my favorite travel blogs, in no particular order, that you are guaranteed to love!
 
- Killing Batteries – Possibly the funniest travel blog I read, Killing Batteries is written by professional travel writer, Leif Pettersen who has penned three guidebooks for Lonely Planet. Read more about him here. I promise. The guy is funny.
 
- Everything Everywhere - Fabulous photos and text by Gary Arndt, who has been traveling the world-and blogging about it-since 2007. But, I’m not the only one who thinks Gary rocks. He has been nominated and/or won more than two dozen travel blog awards in the last two years. Check it out.
 
- Cool Travel Guide – You’ve heard me talk about Lara Dunston’s Cool Travel Guide, but with over 60 countries and 40 guide books (including the newly released Travellers Calabria) to her name, it is well worth the repeat. She is also good for some inside information into less-visited areas around the globe.
 
- Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site – Written by, you guessed it, Matt, this site features weekly photos, travel tips and videos and is a good place to procrastinate your day away … if you are so inclined.
 
- Europe a la Carte – A collaborate blog featuring everything Europe. A fun site to visit if you want to learn about a lot of different places across Europe.
 
- 52 Perfect Days – This site features travel writing, photos and videos from states across the US while helping readers uncover the secret to, you guessed it, a perfect day.
 
- Delicious Baby – As if name wasn’t cute enough, this award-winning blog about traveling with children has spawned two undercover investigations and been featured in Conde Nast Traveler and Frommers. Even if you aren’t a traveling parent, this site is worth a look.
 
- 1002 Things Before I Kick the Bucket – Follow the life of a 20-something dreamer as she sets out to create and tackle her personal bucket list. But I warn you, you’ll want to steal her list …
 
- Europe UpClose – Yet another fabulous blog about traveling in Europe.
 
- Nerd’s Eye View – Fun blog from an eclectic freelance writer and blogger-and ukulele player-who you are guaranteed to fall in love with. This self-proclaimed nerd just finished her second guide book and has been published in a variety of magazines and online outlets.
 
- Fevered Mutterings – Freelance writer and blogger Mike Sowden is boldly going fourth and sharing it all with us.
 
- Indie Travel Podcast – Hosted by Craig and Linda Martin, this site features audio and video podcasts and was awarded first place in Lonely Planet’s Best Podcast category in 2009.
 
- TravelPod – Fun place to go where travelers share stories, write posts and upload videos and photos from recent journeys. This is the perfect site for an armchair traveler.
 
- Almost Fearless – Kick-ass site written by corporate dropout-turned digital vagabond who has traveled to over a dozen countries in the last year. The site is full of articles and tips, as well as a job board for freelance writers.
 
***
 
In addition to these 14 blogs, I always recommend Why Go Italy to my friends and family members who are planning trips to the bel paese and of course, my Travel Tip Tuesday counterpart, My Melange.
 
What are some of your favorite travel blogs? Please share them in the comments
 
Until next time … Buon Viaggio!
 
** Update: I was remiss in forgetting to link to all of my favorite Italy bloggers-they are a wealth of information on the bel paese and I should have known better than to take them granted … hope they’ll forgive me! **
 

 
Some of you might remember last fall when Michelle of Bleeding Espresso and I kicked off a blog tour for Calabrian-American journalist and book author, Justin Catanoso. Justin’s debut book, My Cousin the Saint had just hit the shelves and my newly-found Calabria pride encouraged me to share this book-and the story of Calabria’s newest saint-with my little corner of the blogosphere.
 
I’ve actually had the book for some time, sitting on my bookshelf, with Padre Gaetano’s hand-pained image and haloed face smiling out at me, but between other book reviews, Italian language classes and the non-stop adventures that come with life in Calabria, I hadn’t yet read it.
 
And I’m so glad I waited.
 
I am a strong believer in the power of timing and of the idea that things come to you when you most need them. You see, I wasn’t quite honest in my introduction when I told you it was my Calabria pride that motivated my previous posts. The truth is-I liked Justin. He is a newspaper man, the lone male in a family of women, a writer. He reminded me of my own father and for that, I wanted to see him succeed.
 
I can’t explain why I picked up the book when I did … perhaps it was motivated by my impending trip back to the US and by the fact I’d be returning to a home no longer shared with my father, but it resonated with me in ways I couldn’t have understood a year ago.
 
From Patrizia’s miracle description on page one, through Saint Gaetano’s vision of a better Calabria, to Justin’s personal struggle of coping with the loss of an immediate family member … I was absorbed. And I couldn’t stop reading.
 
I found myself laughing, biting my nails and crying-all on an airplane, thankyouverymuch-as the story of Justin’s American family intertwined with the Italian ancestors his grandfather had left behind. His depiction of southern Italy, both the landscape and its people, were flawless and more than once I recognized my own Italian family members in his descriptions.
 
But I think what resounded with me the most was Justin’s unending search for faith. Although I’ve spent my life as a more-devout-than-not Catholic, these last six months have challenged my faith, and I understood Justin’s doubts-and hopes!-that faith can be restored.
 
I’m not sure if he meant for his book to motivate Catholics or re-inspire the faithful, but I can’t help but think there is a humble, Calabrese parish priest who is happy about it … who is smiling down on us from above as he is hurriedly answers his newly-sainted hot line.
 
Want to learn more about My Cousin the Saint? You can peruse Justin’s photos of Reggio Calabria, the village of Chorio and Saint Gaetano’s canonization, visit Justin’s website or read other reviews. Want to read the book yourself? Click here to buy My Cousin the Saint-now available in paperback!
 
You can thank me later.
 
 
* My Cousin the Saint cover design: Emin Mancheril; photograph: Stefano Stefani / Getty Images
 

 
The best thing about living in a foreign country is the number of great people you meet. Expats abroad tend to form an alliance based on a mutual understanding, or in many cases misunderstanding of the new society and having that network is an invaluable source of comfort for many of us.
 
The second best thing about living in a foreign country is the new food … especially in a country like Italy, where fresh produce and homemade dishes are celebrated and appreciated. And expected!
 
So when you put best thing #1 with best thing #2 and you find a fellow expat who is not only a good listener and helpful friend, but who is also a fantastic chef with mouthwatering recipes … well, you’ve hit the mother load.
 
And so we have.
 
Judy Witts Francini has been a Tuscan chef for 25 years and although we have yet to meet in person, I’m looking forward to the day we can shake hands, or well, we are in Italy, so kiss cheeks, share a glass of wine and she can cook for me. (What? She’s a pro?)
 
Until that day, though I’ll have to get by with her new cookbook “Secrets From my Tuscan Kitchen.” And let me just say, I think I’ll manage just fine.
 

 
The cookbook is a collection of 93 of Judy’s favorite Tuscan recipes and features pasta and risotto dishes, second plate meals, recipes for homemade bread and pasta and an extensive dessert section.
 
I’ve already jumped into the book and prepared a few summer favorites while my husband is planning ahead for the cold-weather months to try some of the heartier Tuscan stews and soups … and he’s been eyeing her homemade gnocchi recipe, as well.
 
The recipes are in American measurements, but the front-of-the-book conversions make it easy to whip up these treats, regardless of which continent you are on.
 
So if you are looking for a new cookbook that won’t gather dust on your shelf, head over to DivinaCucina and order your copy today. Or better yet, buy two and share one with the Tuscan wanna-be chef in your life.
 
Buon Appetito!
 

 
So what do you do if you are in one of Italy’s most picturesque cities and find yourself with a hankering for two, three, or even four scoops of homemade southern Italian gelato?
 
You hit the beach.
 
Just a few blocks down the lungomare from the tiny green kiosk of the Gelateria Cesare is the ultra-modern, uber-trendy Cremeria Sottozero-today’s stop on the Tour del Gelato.
 

 
Sottozero is a full service Italian bar that serves pastries, apertivi, coffee, granita and of course … gelato.
 

 
The soft, fluffy pillows of gelato consumed more than four cases, each offering a new, exciting flavor to tempt our taste buds.
 

 
Licorice? Good. But not for me …
 
Chili pepper? Absolutely! Oh shoot-they are all out.
 
Sapori di Sicilia? A mix of the best flavors of Sicily? Count me in!
 
After agonizing over this life-and-death-type decision, I choose sapori di sicilia and coconut. I was not disappointed.
 
“So what do you think?” our Reggio guide asked as she took another bite from her coppetta. “Who wins? Cesare or Sottozero?”
 
I looked around the group as my new friend’s young Brazilian friend joined us to hear the results.
 

 
“Two votes here for Sottozero,” she said as she pointed to her husband and herself.
 
“Me, too,” one of the Americans said. “I think.”
 
“I can’t decide,” the other American said.
 
They all looked at me.
 
“Well,” I began, as I licked my cone just as the Sicilian pistachio blend started dripping down my hand. “I like the atmosphere at Cesare. It is small and quaint and cozy. Sottozero is too modern.”
 
They all nodded.
 
“I also like the staff at Cesare. They are friendlier and more welcoming.”
 
They all looked at each other. Giggle. Giggle. Laugh.
 
“What?” I asked, obviously missing the joke.
 
They pointed to my new friend’s Brazilian friend who was, by the way, not laughing and I noticed his shirt for the first time.
 
There in the upper left corner of his black striped vest was the word “Sottozero.”
 
Gulp.
 
“Uhm … uhm …,” I said, quickly trying to back peddle my way out of this situation. “I meant, uhm … the staff here is great, too … maybe he doesn’t speak English?”
 
“He speaks English.”
 
“Well,” I declared as I pulled my friends away from the bar and towards the beach. “What I was going to say is that Cesare is precious and I loved the people-but the gelato at Sottozero is richer, creamier and well … more sinfully delicious.”
 
So there you have it. Four votes for Sottozero and one undecided. And according to Sottozero’s logo … there is really only one choice.
 

 
But if you are ever on or around the Reggio Calabria lungomare, I think you should do the taste-test yourself because, really, when gelato is this good … who’s to say one is sweeter or which group of people is really friendlier?
 

Cremeria Sottozero

Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Number 83

89100 Reggio Calabria (Lido)

Italy

 
* Visitors to Catanzaro no longer have to drive the two hours south to Reggio for Sottozero gelato. A new kiosk recently opened in the new Centro Commerciale Le Fontane and all of their classic tastes, including the mousse-like semifreddo flavors are available there.
 
 

 
Remember last week when I told you all about my day trip to Reggio Calabria? Oh you know … where I found those buns of bronze?
 
Well I have a confession to make. And no, it has nothing to do with those big naked men … but it is just as sinful.
 
Reggio Calabria is famed for not one, but two world-class gelaterie. Everyone in town has their favorite and they’ll venomously defend their gelato maker of choice … or die of insulin overdose trying.
 
You see, I’m a gelato connoisseur myself so I wasn’t content to take the advice of Reggio day-trippers who had come before me. I had to taste them and see how they compared to my longtime favorite, Marron Glacés.
 
So in the name of research-I tried them both.
 
Today’s stop on the Tour del Gelato leads us to Gelateria Cesare, located in a bright green kiosk near the lungomare and just steps away from both the Reggio Calabria Lido train station and the National Museum of Magna Grecia.
 

 
For more than 50 years, Gelateria Cesare has been dishing out what they claim-and what at least 50% of Reggio Calabrians claim-is the best gelato in town and with about three dozen flavors, including hard-to-find low-fat and sugar-free varieties, I can’t say they are wrong.
 

 
Chocolate and cream flavors more your thing? Check these babies out.
 

 
Cesare’s has even had some high-profile taste testers give them the thumbs up.
 

 
Perhaps what was even more impressive to me than the creamy gelato and full, rich flavors was Cesare’s staff and atmosphere. The kiosk is barely large for 10 people and the staff-laughing, joking and smiling-eagerly offer samples while you search their icy glass containers for your favorite flavors.
 
They have four sizes available, including the mini cup (€1.50) which is perfect for a post-pizza dessert or a lazy afternoon.
 

Gelateria Cesare

Piazza Indipendenza

Reggio Calabria (Lido)

Calabria

 
In order to best compare Cesare to Marron Glacés, I chose my two favorite flavors-pistachio and spagnola. They were sweet, cold and refreshing and the black cherry left just a twinge of a bittersweet aftertaste. But how did Cesare hold up against Reggio-famed Sottozero? Come back on Wednesday to find out!
 
* Photo of Berlu at Cesare’s is from GelateriaCesare.It.
 
 

 
Who’d have thought writing a book review could be such a tough thing? On the surface it is simple enough. You read a book, you either like it-or don’t like it, summarize your thoughts and tap ‘em out on your trusty ‘ole laptop.
 
It is not rocket surgery. Or brain science, as might be more the case with my latest read, The Cardboard Universe, by Christopher Miller. I struggled with the book. And with the direction of this review.
 
The dialogue-free Cardboard Universe is written in an encyclopedia format-522 pages!-and spoofs the life of sci-fi writer, Philip K. Dick. The novel chronicles the life of the fictitious author Phoebus K. Dank, who wrote 57 (official) novels, including ”Big Dick,” featuring a character named none other than, Philip K. Dick. It is all very clever.
 

 
The novel starts by introducing the dueling narrators, William “Bill” Boswell, an author, lecturer and ex-roommate of Dank who is widely considered the nation’s leading Dankian and Owen Hirt, a poet and onetime friend of Dank who is the lone suspect in the author’s murder.
 
As Boswell points out early in the encyclopedia’s preface, “Dank’s fiction was a lifelong effort to make sense of his own life …. his fiction was always heartfelt, and even the tales he set in other galaxies were usually provoked by doings in his own backyard.”
 
And I would expect no less. Writer’s often reflect on their lives and search within their inner circles for inspiration, and where I might find material at my local language school or by speaking with my Italian father-in-law, Dank was inspired to create alternative universes-where a woman can transplant her mind and memories to a new, younger, more slender body every two to three years (to deal with her eating disorder), where people agree to battle “Sadiators” (pronounced sad e aters) in a “suicide duel,” where the goal is to kill your opponent with sadness by spitting sharp-tongued comments at them until they kill themselves, or even his novel, “And How Will I Know You?” where a virus called “the Proteu strain” infects the world’s population so everyone’s physical characteristics change each night as they sleep.
 
I hereby proclaim Christopher Miller a creative genius. It is safe to say his imagination isn’t limited to the 57 book summaries he invents in The Cardboard Universe … and as I writer I admire that. I respect that. No, I’m actually in awe of that.
 
But even with my admiration of his talent and creativity, the book didn’t grab me. It didn’t pull me in. It didn’t make me want to miss sleep, skip meals or hide in the bathroom to get through the next entry. It was only when I stopped pushing myself to read each encyclopedia entry in chronological order-like you’d normally read a novel-that I was drawn in. I finally got the humor other book reviewers found and was able to enjoy the book.
 
The Cardboard Universe is especially recommend for sci-fi lovers or Philip K. Dick fans or for those of you who are willing to invest a little time and are looking for something different in your next book purchase.
 
Have you read The Cardboard Universe? What did you think of it? You can purchase your own copy here.
 
Buon Weekend!
 
 

 
It is that time of year again … schools are wrapping up, kids are heading to the nearest watering hole and their parents and friends are planning summer BBQs and outdoor picnics.
 
But just in case you don’t have time-or the desire to melt away under the glaring Texas sun-you have another option … especially if you are in southeast Texas.
 

 
Located on Highway 96 between Silsbee and Beaumont in Lumberton, Dippity’s serves up the biggest, freshest, juiciest burgers in southeast Texas … or so says my husband whose sole mission on each of his Texas trips is to find the best burger in town.
 
Like Burger King, you can have it your way-with lettuce, maters, mayo, even jalapenos all stacked on fresh ground beef and sandwiched between homemade buns … Who could ask for more in a burger?
 
Sink your teeth into that baby. Dippity’s famous Texas Tummy Tackler …
 

 
Or this one … for smaller tummies.
 

 
Dippity’s is located in a strip mall with an unassuming facade-neon sign excluded-and no frills interior, but the drastically affordable prices (the standard-sized burger is $3.89) and friendly hometown staff prove that Dippity’s is nothing more than your neighborhood burger joint-with kick ass burgers.
 
But don’t take our word for it-if you are in the area, check it out yourself.
 

Dippity’s

815 S. Main Street

Lumberton, Texas

(409) 755-3632

 
May all of your burgers today be Dippity-good burgers … Happy Memorial Day!
 

 
Although Rome Week is technically finita, I do have a few straggling notes hanging around in my notebook itching to hit the big screen. Or, well, the computer screen.
 
You see, as a B&B owner I gravitate towards other B&Bs and nine times out of 10, prefer them to big hotels. I love the personal service, cozy atmosphere and friendly environment. Plus, I like to support the little people and send out those good Karmic vibes whenever I can.
 
On the other hand, I could also be accused of being overly critical and holding other B&Bs to sky-high standards. And it is true. I’m guilty.
 
Such is the case with the Cesare Balboa Suites in Rome.
 

 
On the surface there is nothing wrong with this B&B. They are located on Via Cesare Balboa, near Via Cavour, about 10 minutes from Termini train station. And as you can see, they are located inside a majestic palazzo on a quiet side street.
 
Just to be fair-and to keep things positive-I’m going to list my cons first so I can end on a positive note.
 
Cons
 
- The information we were given at booking said
* They had 24-hour reception
* They had hairdryers in the rooms
* They were near the Colosseum
* They accept credit cards
 
In reality, we saw them twice after we checked in, they didn’t offer a hairdryer until I asked and we were 15 minutes on foot from the Colosseum.
 
Now, I don’t mind a B&B without 24-hour reception, heck-we don’t have it! But I’m not into false advertisements, either.
 
I also don’t believe their credit card machines were “broken.” I believe they wanted us to pay in cash so they 1) wouldn’t have to report us on their taxes or 2) wouldn’t have to pay the credit card fees. If you don’t want to accept credit cards-don’t say you will.
 
- They deliver breakfast to your room-which is romantic!-but you have to arrange the time in advance and since they don’t really have 24-hour reception, changing your time can be a challenge.

 
Pros
 
- The room was spacious and decorated in antique Roman-style. It was warm and welcoming.
 
- The staff members, a husband and wife team, were friendly and accommodating. He offered us an umbrella when we checked-out, even though he knew we couldn’t return it. They smiled a lot and had maps of the area readily available.
 
- The price. We paid €70 a night for a double in Rome and although they weren’t really by the Colosseum like they advertise, they did have a good location.
 
In the end, I think my disappointment with Cesare Balboa Suites boils down to my expectations-expectations they set by making promises they didn’t keep. Had they not advertised that location, hairdryers, credit card machine and 24-hour reception, I’d have booked them anyway-and that “Con” list would’ve been a lot less imposing.
 
I am, admittedly, a critical customer. But what about you? What expectations do you have for hotels and B&Bs and what could they do to either cement your loyalty or send you running?
 

 
How many of you choose a new travel destination then run right out and purchase a new guide book? Come on … you can tell me.
 
Well then, how many of you choose a new travel destination, then run right to your laptop, plop down with a grande Starbucks caramel latte and Google, “Where to go to in …?”
 
Yea, ok. I’m with you (and that caramel latte is sounding pretty good about now). But is this really the best approach? As social media continues to expand our ever-changing habits what old routines will we keep and which not-so-distant patterns will become a far-flung memory?
 
Travelbooking is a first-of-its-kind site that allows users to search for travel-related content, pull online travel guides from its sister site, So Much World, save that information, create a personalized travel guide and share it all with their friends.
 
So I thought I’d give it a try.
 
I simulated recreating my Central American honeymoon and was disappointed to find there wasn’t information on my first country of choice-Belize.
 
So I thought I’d stick with something bigger. And better. The Bel Paese.
 
You can imagine my thrill at searching “Italy” and finding that the first link on the page was none other than My Bella Vita. But I dug deeper and searched for Rome. Admittedly, I only spent about 15 minutes playing on the site and while they do have some good bookmarks (ahem!), it is possible the site is just too young to have the depth needed to compete with guide books.
 
But I’ll be watching them.
 
And you should, too. In fact, here is a short video-less than two minutes-that describes the site’s interface and usability.
 

 
So what do you think? Is this the future of travel guides or will people keep buying the book? Since I have my heart set on writing a Calabria Guide Book one day … I hope there is room for both.
 
Let’s head over and see what Robin has going on this week at My Melange.
 
Until next time … Buon Viaggio!