Posts in Italy
The Best Dishes Of 2022 | Truffle Edition
The Best Dishes Of 2022 | Truffle Edition

It’s hard to believe that in just a few days, we will say goodbye to 2022. It’s been a remarkable year, to say the least. I’m so incredibly grateful that travel has resumed, and I’ve had the opportunity to explore several new areas and revisit a few favorites. Recently, I spent some time scrolling through my photos, reliving some of my favorite moments and dishes from 2022. Trust me; there have been a lot ( and yes, the scale agrees.) If you’re new to Blonde Voyage Nashville, you should know that I am a truffle enthusiast. If it’s on the menu, I am going to order it. The aroma is simply intoxicating; it’s like nothing else you will experience. 

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Chicago, Italy, Nashville, SingaporeCatherine CourtneyKasama, Locust, Osteria Barberini, Odette, TrufflesComment
Rome-ing Around Italy
Rome-ing Around Italy

Hi, Friends!

Courtney, here. Yes, I am still alive, and contrary to what my Instagram account may depict, I have not traded in my day job to become a world traveler….yet! It has been too long since we’ve had a chance to catch up. Between work ( yes, that day job pays the bills!) and my travel schedule, I haven’t had much time to share what’s been going on.

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyRobb Report, Tonnarello, Osteria Barberini, Regoli Pasticceria, Pizzerria da Baffetto, The Court Rooftop Bar, Cielo Bar, Sant Eustachio Il Caffe, Bonci PizzariumComment
Living La Dolce Vita In The Amalfi Coast
Living La Dolce Vita In The Amalfi Coast

2020 did not diminish my desire to travel and see the magnificent world we live in. The “lockdown” only fueled my desire to seek out new destinations and rediscover the world. I hope that we will all be a little kinder to one another and realize what a true privilege it is to pack our suitcase and run through airport security as we embark on your next adventure.

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyAmalfi Coast, Positano, Villa Cimbrone, Custom Sandals, Boating, Le Sirenuse, Franco's Bar, Path of the Gods, Hiking, Lemon Farm, Limoncello, Gastro Trekking Comments
One Of My Best Meals Of 2019: Pianostrada Laboratorio di Cucina
One Of My Best Meals Of 2019: Pianostrada Laboratorio di Cucina

Keep your friends close and your friends with excellent restaurant recommendations closer. Isn’t that how the saying goes?

Earlier this year when I was creating my itinerary for Croatia and the Amalfi Coast (more to come on the blog about that) when I realized that I would have just enough time in Rome to enjoy dinner before boarding the train to Naples.

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyRome, PIanostrada, Trastevere, Italy, Pasta, Paola Colucci, Best Meals of 2019Comment
Osteria Del Tempo Perso: Ostuni, Italy
Osteria Del Tempo Perso: Ostuni, Italy

When I travel abroad, I inevitably find one dish I fall head over heels in love with. Of course, I arrive back in the states and try my hardest to find a dish locally that emulates it. Realizing that it is an impossible task, I end up scrolling through pictures on my phone re-living that meal. 

This past week was no different. Overcast rainy Nashville nights had me craving pasta.

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyOsteria Del Tempo PersoEat Pray Move, Yoga Retreat, Truffles, Pasta, Puglia, OstuniComment
Cheers To Pour Decisions: I Pàstini
Cheers To Pour Decisions: I Pàstini

What's better than a fire when you are freezing your a$$ off in Nashville? A bottle of VersoSud from I Pàstini. I am savoring every single drop!

One of my favorites from my Puglia trip was our visit to I Pàstini. Located in Martina Franca, I Pàstini is a winery not to be missed. Not only is their harvest organic, but every single grape is hand-picked.  

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyI Pastini Puglia, Wine, I Pastini, VersoSud, Rosé, Wine Tasting, Vineyards, ItalyComment
Picturesque Polignano a Mare
Picturesque Polignano a Mare

After wrapping up the amazing cheese tour at Masseria Lamapecora, we headed to the coast to explore Polignano a Mare.

Unfamiliar?

Without a doubt, you have seen photographs pinned to a travel inspiration board on Pinterest or perhaps you have stumbled across articles in Travel and Leisure. It is quite possibly one of the most photographed regions of Southern Italy.  

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyGrotto, Italy, Polignano a mare, Eat Pray Move, Grotta Palazzese, Dinner Comments
Island Hopping: Murano and Burano
Island Hopping: Murano and Burano

 

We've all seen the pictures on Instagram and Pinterest. Ones featuring picturesque landscapes that are so brilliantly colorful and eye-catching it doesn't even look real. Welcome to the islands of Murano and Burano. Even if it is your first time in Venice, you would be remiss not to plan an island hopping excursion. 

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyMurano, Burano, Museo del Vetro, Marco Polo Fornace, Trattoria al Gatto Nero, Lunch, Hotel Palazzo Vitturi Comments
Going, Going, Gondola- A Guide to Venice
Going, Going, Gondola- A Guide to Venice

A planner. That's how many of my friends would characterize me. However, this recent trip to Italy was quite the contrary. I booked my trip to Puglia over a year in advance based on a few instastories and photos that I saw following EPM. To be honest, I had never heard of Puglia but was intrigued by the stunning white landscape. 

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyVenice, The Gritti Terrace, Gondola Rides, Airport Transportation, The Gritti Palace, Piazza San Marco Comment
Recharge and Refocus
Recharge and Refocus

Buongiorno amici! Some of you may have been wondering where I have been. No, I have not fallen victim to a food coma nor did I fall out of the blogosphere. To say that life has been a hot mess lately is quite the understatement. I decided to take some time to recharge and refocus...in Italy! Over the next couple of weeks, I plan on sharing all of the juicy details of my adventures through Puglia, the southern region of Italy forming the "heel" of Italy's "boot" as well as my escapades through the canals of Venice. By far a trip of a lifetime.

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Italy, Lifestyle MusingsCatherine CourtneyRecharge, Italy Comments
The Hidden Gem of Florence
The Hidden Gem of Florence

Tucked away on a side street in Florence, Brac is one of those can’t miss places.  I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical when it came to vegetarian food. I am SUCH a steak and cab kinda girl, but I was BLOWN AWAY.  Brac is certainly one of those venues that could be considered the “third space.”  Brac is a restaurant, library, art gallery and coffee house all rolled into one small quaint space.  

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ItalyCatherine CourtneyComment