Discover the Flavors of Campania: An Unforgettable Culinary Journey

They're baaack! Calling all food and wine lovers! I am thrilled to announce the return of my bespoke travel experiences in the enchanting region of Campania, Italy. These intimate group tours are meticulously designed to immerse you in the heart of Italian culture, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious novice, our tours are crafted to cater to all levels of expertise, ensuring an enriching experience for everyone.

Imagine yourself wandering through lush vineyards, sampling world-renowned wines straight from the source, and indulging in delectable dishes that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Campania. From the vibrant streets of Naples to the serene Amalfi Coast, every moment of the journey is thoughtfully curated to provide an authentic taste of this incredible region. You'll have the unique opportunity to meet local winemakers, uncover the secrets of traditional recipes from passionate chefs, and soak in breathtaking views that will leave you utterly spellbound.

So, ready to embark on this unforgettable adventure? Let’s make memories together, savoring every sip and bite along the way. Join us in Campania, where the magic of Italian food and wine awaits! ✨

For more info, go to the website www.andiamotrips.it

Exciting News: Andiamotrips Teams Up with Angelino Tours!

 I am delighted to share an exciting partnership between Andiamotrips (that's me!) and Angelino Tours! Together, we are set to guide a series of delightful food and wine tours throughout the picturesque island of Ischia and the entire Campania region. Experience immersive winery tours, engaging cooking classes, and culinary adventures that honor Italy's rich gastronomic traditions.

Stay tuned for the upcoming announcement of our inaugural tour, which will showcase an exclusive wine tasting on the stunning island of Ischia. More details coming your way next week!

Embark on a Delicious Journey with "In the Kitchen Campania"! Episode 1 airs January 30, 2024

Mark your calendar for January 30, 2024, and get ready to explore the rich culinary heritage of southern Italy's Campania region. Don't miss the premiere episode of this delectable documentary series. Be sure to subscribe to my You Tube channel to stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

In the Kitchen Campania Crowdfunding Campaign is Live!

 The Dream

Over the past 14 years, I have travelled the Campania region visiting over 100 of the region's   restaurants.  I have enjoyed sharing my gastronomic  adventures on my blog, Andiamotrips, as well as on various social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.  My focus has always been to share through words, photos and videos to  those, like me, who  want to discover the traditions, stories, and recipes of this vast and varied region.  Over the years, I realized that one of the best ways to learn about Campanian cuisine was to observe those who have made it their profession.  To visit those who work day to day in the kitchen. I have often dreamt about how I could share this passion of mine with the world.  How it might be exciting to go one step further, go that extra mile.  Now I strongly believe that I am ready to take that dream to a new level by creating a video travel diary documentary series which will focus on the chefs, restaurants, and traditional recipes of the Campania region. This series will be called  In the Kitchen Campania.

The project

In the Kitchen Campania is a documentary video series which explores the cuisine of Italy's Campania region. I chose to feature the phrase in the kitchen because in Campania, that is the focal point of the home.  A place where friends and family can feel free to discuss just about everything.   In this series, I will meet with chefs in their kitchens  to learn and discover the history, traditions and recipes of their territory.    The web series will consist of 5 - 10 episodes that will be 10-15 minutes long. Each episode will feature a different chef/restaurant in which the chefs themselves will serve as our tour guide throughout the territory.  They will share with us their background stories, describe their cuisine, discuss typical dishes of the area including a favorite dish or two from their childhood. The video stories will be accompanied by a short summary of mine in English to allow access to the entire audience of my community. The chefs' story will be in Italian with English subtitles. The project will also be the main ingredient  for other mini projects with the In the Kitchen Campania drive and spirit such as the creation of ebooks, travel guides, and culinary events.

What will I do with the funds?

An elaborate project like this has its cost. Each episode has an average cost of 3,000 to 5,000 euros for all the activities to be carried out. For the launch of the project and the development of the first series of episodes, I have chosen to carry out an online crowdfunding reward campaign by presenting some of the gadgets and products that are part of the venture as well as giving the community the possibility to be  part of the project as a partner of an episode and/or as a sponsor.

To reduce costs, the first edition of the web series will see me as a protagonist in the various activities of design, development, management, production and marketing. However, I hope that the project will grow quickly and I will be able to create an international team for the different activities.  I would like to invest in the series and in Andiamotrips by adding to my team (extra cameraman or sound person, IT, etc.). I would also like to invest in new equipment, software, as well as the blog itself by transferring it to its own domain.

 

In this way I will be able to share with you how In The Kitchen Campania’s growth and discover the different aspects of the development and promotion of the project.

The first objective is 2,000 euro with which will go towards the first few episodes of the series. Other funds will be allocated towards future episodes with the possibility of creating sponsored and customized projects.

The first series

The first series will be published online in early  2024 on the Andiamotrips YouTube channel with an episode broadcast every 2-3 weeks. The episodes will also be shared with the chefs and their restaurants.

 

Want to learn more?

Visit the link here.

Thanks for your support!

Ready to (Pre) Launch! In the Kitchen Campania Crowdfunding Prelaunch Video

Ciao, guys! I've been hinting about it for days, and maybe some of you have figured it out. I have an exciting announcement. After over 14 years of narrating the places and players of food, wine and tourism in Campania and Italy, I decided to create my own video culinary journal, to discover the places and personalities of the region.  It’s name? In the Kitchen Campania.  The project will be supported with a crowdfunding campaign that will go live on the 9th of November on the crowdfunding site  www.eppela.com. The  site is in Italian, but my  project will pre presented in 2 languages.  Feel free to go to the Eppela site and pre register, that way you will be ready on the 9th of November.

So what do you say?  Ci vediamo in the kitchen!

The Second Edition of Monteruscello Fest- 11 and 12 September 2023

 

After a successful first edition last year, the Monteruscello Fest is back. It will be held in Piazza Agro City on 11 and 12 September and this year will be dedicated to the theme "we are one", just to underline how all the main social actors of the territory, institutions, citizens, entrepreneurs are on the side of the overall growth of this neighborhood and how Pozzuoli is, in fact, only one: from the sea to the border with Quarto.

This year, the event will last two days, instead of just one and will feature 200 operators in the food sector. As always, among the stands there will be chefs,  pizza restaurateurs, pastry chefs all ready to guarantee a particular gastronomic offer.

The intent is first and foremost beneficial: to support the Telethon Foundation program dedicated to Diseases Without Diagnosis implemented by Tigem (Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine), thanks to the donations of those who want to participate in the event that is entirely non-profit.

To obtain the entrance ticket that includes consumption at all the stands present on the single day, simply connect to the www.monteruscellofest.it website and make a minimum donation of 40 euros.  But of course everyone is free to make a donation of a higher amount. It is also possible to book the ticket for both days: in this case the minimum donation can be 60 euros. Children who are less than one meter tall, accompanied by at least one paying adult, do not require a ticket.

 

Monteruscello Fest is organized and promoted by the restaurant entrepreneurs Daniele and Simone Testa together with the Municipality of Pozzuoli and Giovanni Tammaro, leader of a network of companies for the enhancement of Monteruscello Agro city.

"The fact that we had to double the days to be able to accommodate the many requests of operators who wished to participate, fills us with joy and pride. It means that the world of food and wine – explain Daniele and Simone Testa – is always ready to lend a hand to scientific research. We thank the Municipality of Pozzuoli who is supporting us, the Chamber of Commerce of Naples, the Aicast and the ASL Napoli 2 for the patronage and the many artists who this year will not miss their participation ".

Names like Gigi Finizio, Sal Da Vinci and Fatima Trotta are expected.

Here's a look at last year's fest!

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Un post condiviso da karenp (@andiamotrips)

The 15th edition of Malazè, the Campi Flegrei Festival-lab Continues

The event created to promote the beauties and tourist-cultural proposals of the Phlegraean area, organized by Malazè Laboratorio di Comunità APS, continues in its second weekend of events dedicated to food and wine, the beauties of the territory, the landscape, the myths and its stories. These are the ingredients that will accompany young and old "ViaggiAttori" to live an experiential dimension that only these unique places can offer.

"We are halfway there, happy to have resumed this year but aware that Malazè - explains the creator of the event, Rosario Mattera - cannot limit itself to being a showcase of the Phlegraean Fields for only two weeks a year. We want to look to the future in an innovative way to create wealth responsibly in the food sector as well as in cultural and social enterprise, in new digital technologies and in design. But we haven't forgotten our past; we know that roots can make a difference in the globalized world ”.

 Below is the complete calendar of the second weekend of Malazè, reservations are required for each event.

Friday 21st October 2022

At the table with the Sibyl | Masseria Sardo - Lake Averno at 7:30 pm

For info and reservations: 0818581814 - 3493083243 | ristorante@masseriasardo.com

 

Tasting Laboratory of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Campania | Slow Food Campania - Slow Olive Group | Bacoli at 10:00 (reserved for operators in the sector)

For info and reservations: 339 8006902 | slowolivecampania@gmail.com

Saturday 22nd October 2022

The Rione Terra, like a museum, between Myth, tales and recent history - Lux in Fabula Antonio Isabettini | Pozzuoli - Rione Terra at 17:00, Palazzo Migliaresi at 17:00

Antonio Isabettini tells the story and the chronicle of the Rione Terra with the projection of unpublished visual documents. For info: 328 667 0977 |luxinfabula2@libero.it

Bio Fitness Game - The Garden of the Templars - Redhorn.

Pozzuoli - Lake Averno at 09:00. Team sports training with an athletic trainer and treasure hunt with the Sibyl's enigmas along the shores of Lake Averno.

For info and reservations: 345 667 0467 - 351 731 4370 | info@ilgiardinodeitemplari.it

Discovering the vegetable garden and agro-biodiversity (Pozzuoli - Lake Averno at 10:00). The club's educators will guide families on an outdoor day at the educational garden of the Phlegraean Dog Center in Lake Averno to discover the vegetable garden and biodiversity of agriculture. For info and reservations: 340 6004477 - 348 9608185 | legambientecittaflegrea@gmail.com

In the footsteps of San Gennaro - Progetto Uomo Onlus (9:30 am 1st group / 11:00 am 2nd group - 15 participants per group). A visit, a mix of history, art, tradition and devotion to understand the life of San Gennaro and his link with Naples and the Phlegraean Fields. Accompanied by a qualified guide and a friar, you will have the opportunity to visit the church, the cloister and the soup kitchen (to which part of the proceeds will go) in a different way, focusing on the artistic and spiritual aspect local.

For info and reservations: 333 3577746 | 380 4722925

Campi Flegrei where history becomes myth | Photo exhibition

11:00 opening at Casa Mehari Quarto Via Nicotera 8. For info: 335 7106976 | contact@flegreaphoto.it

Sunday 23 October 2022

Napoli Obliqua Napoli Pedala (appointment: 07:30 - Galleria Principe di Napoli) | A bike trip in the beating heart of the city of Naples, between the districts of the historic center and beyond, to learn more about the morphology of Naples, its history, traditions and contemporaneity.

For info and reservations: 338 2723767 | 338 2127542 | napolibikefestival@gmail.com

Bio Fitness Game - The Garden of the Templars - Redhorn.

Pozzuoli - Lake Averno at 09:00. Team sports training with an athletic trainer and treasure hunt with the Sibyl's enigmas along the shores of Lake Averno.

For info and reservations: 345 667 0467 - 351 731 4370 | info@ilgiardinodeitemplari.it

Foraging among the volcanoes - APS Visit Campi Flegrei - Masseria Sardo

The event will be held in the oasis of Monte Nuovo, from which we will leave to reach the shores of Lake Averno. A fascinating tour that will end with an aperitif. For info and reservations: 347 5507420 - 320 8015037 | info@visitcampiflegrei.eu

Naturalistic Walk in Procida Capital “For orchards and gardens” - Procida Porto 10:00 am | Paths to discover Procida, the smallest of the Phlegrean islands, capital of Culture 2022.

Walk through vegetable gardens, vineyards, gardens and typical streets of the island. For info and reservations: 333 7201311 - 338 8257952 | association@vivara.it

Vibrating in the memory of the ruins of the Villa Rustica del Torchio (Phlegraean quarter - Villa del Torchio 9: 30-12: 30)

Gong concert and ancestral instruments by Gong Master Antonella Notturno and guided tour by the Campi Flegrei Archaeological Group. For info and reservations: 349 0962592 - 338 3187875 | protocol.generale@comune.quarto.na.it - ​​raffaella.devivo@libero.it

Walking Tour Pozzuoli. Discovering the wonders of the Phlegraean Fields with a walk in the historic center of Pozzuoli. For info and reservations: 081 19009000 | percorsiflegrei@turismoeservizi.it

Fata Morgana at Lake Averno (from 10:30 to 13:00). The educators of Legambiente Città Flegrea and the Morgana fairy will guide the participants on a particular outdoor walk to discover the archaeological evidence, myths, legends and floral and faunal species of the mysterious Lake Averno. For info and reservations: 340 6004477 - 348 9608185 | legambientecittaflegrea@gmail.com

Capo Miseno Myth and History - Between Ceres Dionysus and Isis (Bacoli Faro di Miseno at 11:00). Guided walk through the breathtaking scenery of Capo Miseno where participants can have fun in a procession in honor of ancient divinities. For info and reservations: 339 4195725 | Culturavventura@gmail.com

Archeoemotions: Discovering the Mosaics of the Submerged Bay (from 11:00 to 12:00). Boat excursion, a unique and inimitable journey to discover the history of the submerged villas of Baia and its spectacular mosaics | For info and reservations: 379 2426496 |nostrosud.srl@libero.it

Bacoli waterways and ... wines. A guided tour to discover two extraordinary Roman archaeological sites hidden in the narrow streets of the historic center of Bacoli: the Cento Camerelle complex and the Piscina Mirabilis.

or info and reservations: 081 014 0916 | info@piscinamirabilisbacoli.it

Discovering the Ancient Misenum (Bacoli - Sacello degli Augustali at 10:00)

Guided walk to discover the sites of the ancient Roman town of Misenum whose port was the seat of the most important fleet of the Roman Empire.

Terramadre life resurfaces | Campi Flegrei Award VI edition | photographic exhibition at Castello di Baia

Flegrea PHOTO association in collaboration with the Phlegraean Fields Archaeological Park

Baia - Archaeological Museum of the Phlegraean Fields | For info: 335 7106976 | contact@flegreaphoto.it

For all updates and news in detail, just consult the event website www.malaze.it.

Malazè is Back!

Malazè is back, the festival-lab conceived by Rosario Mattera to promote the beauties and tourist-cultural proposals of the Phlegraean Fields. Now in its fifteenth edition, Malazè is an event that spreads throughout the Phlegraean Fields and ideally unites Naples, Pozzuoli, Bacoli, Monte di Procida, Quarto and Procida as well as numerous associations and businesses in the area.

This year an edition full of events dedicated to food and wine, the beauties of the Phlegraean area, history but also leisure, designed so that you can  immerse yourself in the myths and legends of this land.

"The goal is to let those who do not know it discover this land and to thrill those who already know it but not enough", explains Rosario Mattera. “This is the fifteenth edition, every year is a different bet and we did not expect to get this far; I am driven by the conviction that the territory has strengths that are not sufficiently valued and that it still has a lot to offer ".

Fifteen days, four thematic areas (Taste, Myths and Stories, Archeology, Nature and Landscape). It starts on Friday 14 October 2022 with "A dip in history ... and then toast with the Romans", an appointment that will allow you to snorkel in the submerged city of Baia to continue with the "Bio Fitness Game", a workshop in Pozzuoli dedicated to slow food, Walking Tour of Pozzuoli, wine tastings of the Campi Flegrei DOC wines, oil workshops, reserved for Phlegraean restaurateurs, events to discover the ancient fortress of the Rione Terra di Pozzuoli and much more.

There is also space for outdoor activities with "Kids by bike", urban trekking and walks to discover Capo Miseno and Montenuovo; "The idleness of Dionysus" at the Terme di Baia and "Archeoemotions" will allow, however, to combine different passions together (archeology, taste and nature). Every Monday it will be the turn of the ARF cooks who will organize "Everyone in a barrel", ten-handed dinners in the cellar or workshops and meetings to discover the flavors of this land.

A preview of Malazè 2022 is scheduled for Thursday 13 October, at 5 pm, at Villa di Livia (Pozzuoli). Francesco Maisto, president of the Campi Flegrei Regional Park Authority will speak with Mattera; Nicola Caputo, Councilor for Agriculture of the Campania Region and the mayor of Pozzuoli, Luigi Manzoni. This will be followed by a tasting of typical Phlegraean dishes and Campania wines donated by the ARF and the Women of Wine of Campania. The service will be offered by the IPSEOA "Lucio Petronio" Institute of Pozzuoli.

The entire Malazè 2022 program can be viewed on the website www.malaze.it.

Tasting Campi Flegrei

Fried anchovies on the beach-Lido Turistico

Campi Flegrei aka the Phlegrean Fields has been my home for the last 30 years. How much do you know about this coastal area near Naples which houses the largest volcanic area in Europe?  

Besides offering some amazing archaeological sites, coastal lakes, beaches, thermal springs, and nature reserves, it also has some great spots to eat...and yes, drink wine. Here is my list of some not to miss spots.

Restaurants

From traditional cuisine to Michelin starred fine dining- the area is packed. It wasn't easy to choose, believe me.

1 .Caracol

2.Bothanica

3. Turistico Beach Park

4. HomePiccola Osteria Alternativa

5. Hosteria Bugiarda

6. Kuma65

7. TribusRestaurant

9.Ristorante La Bifora

10. IlTestardo- Locanda Atipica

11. SudRistorante

12. AbraxasOsteria

Caracol with chef Angelo Carannante and Maitre Ciro Sannino

 Wineries

Thanks to the vulcanic soil and their proximity to the ocean, the flavor and aromas of the wines of the area are unique.  Falanghina (white) and Piedirosso/Per'o palumm (red) are the top 2 varieties.  If looking to visit, I highly recommend to call in advance. 

1.LaSibilla

2. Agnanum

3.Cantine degli Astroni

4. Tenuta Matilde Zasso

5.  Cantine Del Mare

6. Contrada Salandra

I invite you to take a look at my link on Wanderlog...follow me, and maybe set up an itinerary to include a winery in the morning with a restaurant at lunch or dinner. I invite you , as always, to experience...

Places mapped by Wanderlog, an itinerary planner on iOS and Android

6 hours on the Island, Ischia (Na)

Hop on, hop off.  I had 6 hours to spend in Ischia that Saturday, and I wanted to spend it like a local.  So I recruited the hlp of two amici ischitani to take me around., professional photographers Simone De Sanctis and Luigi Irace.
'.

First stop?  A quick tour of Cardamone, a fraction of Ischia Porto which is home to Cantine Antonio Mazzella.  On the way I was treated to some spectacular views...

Then into the cantina. 

The winery was busy as usual. This small winery dates back to 1940 and is  is a must stop for tourists and locals alike for a quick tasting and a bit of Saturday shopping.  This particular Saturday was also bottling day - Nicola Mazzella was busy bottling the winery's Vigna del Lume 2017, recently voted the Best White Wine in Italy for 2018 at Vinitaly.

Vigna del Lume - 100% Biancolella, a Campania white grape.  Between a sip or two, Mazzella invited us to take a little walk.  Just across the street, hidden behind a stone wall, the winery had planted a Biancolella vineyrad 4 years ago.  This year's harvest will be the first used to make wine.   The vineyard also shared the soil with crops such as tomatoes, fava beans and the prized local zampognaro bean.

Nicola wanted us to try something else.   Nero 70 2017, still in the stainless steel vat, had just finished its malolactic fermentation and would be filtered the next day.
50 % Aglianico/50 % Piediirosso grapes.  Selected grapes picked during November, and only when the conditions are right.  In 2016, for example, Mazzella did not produce this wine.




Nicola's sister Vera treated us to a casual tasting of some of the winery's other wines paired with taralli and light conversation.

De Sanctis,  Irace, and I

The clock was ticking.  Time for our next stop.  An aperitif at a on of the island's top  fruit and vegetable stands - Garden Fruit.  This wasn't my first visit.  I stopped by last year for roasted artichokes, remember?  I wanted to try those artichokes again...

but I was also pleasantly surprised by Giuseppe's tomato salad.  He used 8 different varieties; Camone, Marinda, Cuore di bue (ox heart), red and yellow Daterini tomatoes, Cherry, Riccio, and Tarantino.  Mixed with fresh herbs, oil and vinegar.  Fantasticaaa!

Our mini food tour continued.  Late Lunch!!! Ischia Salumi!!!

An amazing delicatessen which producs its own salamis.  The guys and I divided this deli tray which included Ischia's famous pizza a scarola, mozzarella di bufala and cherry tomatoes, an endless supply of cheeses, and Ischia Salumi's rabbit salami.

Yes rabbit salumi.  Made in house.  How?  the rabbit is deboned, then marinated in Biancolella wine for two days to soften the strong rabbit aromas.  Then the rabbit meat is grounded, salt/pepper/chili pepper flakes are added.  Then placed in casings, smoked and aged for a month or so.




 The clock continued to tick.  Time for a quick stroll to the Aragonese Castle and a caffe'...

Time for ice cream??? ICE da Luciano at Ischia Ponte.  I had to try the tiramisu which was fantastic.  

Times up!  Really???!!!

And so this visit ended like many of my visits to Ischia.  That familiar friendly phrase...Karen, the next time you come we've got to...

Grazie, Ischia!

#ischiaadicted