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CDV Italy Cooking Vacations Blog
  • Home
  • Culture
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  • Culinary
  • Cooking
  • Let Me Vent
Search
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  • Let Me Vent
Michael Kovnick
Author @TravelCDV

Michael Kovnick


Co-Founder of Culture Discovery Vacations. I am a native American from Los Angeles that has been living with one foot in Italy and the other in the US for more than 30 years. I usually write about oddities I see in Italian culture from an American perspective, and the humor I find in it. However, after decades of living in both countries, I often see the reverse as well. That is, where the Italians got it right, and we can certainy learn from them!

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Culture
Culture

“Boh!?”… And Other Perfect Italian Words & Phrases That Don’t Translate Well


When you split your life between two cultures with two languages, it is quite easy to get trapped in the wrong language from time to time.  I sometimes find myself speaking one language, then suddenly a word or phrase pops out...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • April 25, 2010
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Culture
Culture

Welcome To Italy… There’s a Tax For That


I haven’t gone on an Italy rant for a while, but with healthcare and taxes filling the US airwaves, it has really made me think about taxes in Italy. I’ll not get into my opinion of these subjects in the US, since...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • April 23, 2010
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Culture
Culture

Anglitaliano: English Words in Everyday Italian


We use a ton of Italian words in English.  More than many might think.  Just walk into a Starbucks, and you will probably walk out with something called a ‘LATTE‘ (Be careful asking for it in Italy, since...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • April 5, 2010
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Culture
Culture

Man Dies: Caught Cold in Stomach


Traveling to Italy, some visitors notice various oddities about Italian culture that seem to defy explanation.  Some are rooted in the socio-political history of the country, some are rooted in religious tradition, and...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • March 30, 2010
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Cooking
Cooking

Who is Alfredo Sauce, and why do Americans keep asking about him?


If you go to Italy looking for Alredo Sauce, you will find yourself quite frustrated. Read on to learn why.

  • Michael Kovnick
  • March 24, 2010
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Culinary
Culinary

The Wine Is Always Finer On The Other Side of the Fence


I’ve been wanting to write about this for ages.  Not about wine actually being better on the other side of the fence, but the impression that it is. We take groups to wineries in Tuscany and the surrounding regions...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • March 7, 2010
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Coffee
Coffee

In Search of the Perfect Espresso


Like a fine wine or a great cigar, those who know their coffee are extremely discriminating.  I count myself among them.  Coffee is something I take very seriously.Technorati: VA2TJVJYZX67 Depending on the style of coffee,...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • February 28, 2010
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Cooking
Cooking

Bruschetta – The Truth and a Unique Recipe


It’s not really what you think it is… In the states, when you hear the word ‘Bruschetta’, you think about toasted Italian bread with a tomato spread. But to think that way would be like thinking the word...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • May 11, 2009
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Cooking
Cooking

Rotolo Rose Recipe


An amazing rolled pasta with cheese, Besciamelle and prosciutto dish my mother-in-law in Italy used to make on Sundays every once in a while. When we knew Rotolo Rose was for lunch, nobody was ever late… period!...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • April 27, 2009
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Cooking
Cooking

Tuscan Roasted Chicken & Potatoes Recipe


    Pollo Arrosto con Patate Easily one of the most popular recipes we do in our cooking classes, I thought this would be a great recipe to share on the blog. Don’t think this is like any roasted chicken you have...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • April 26, 2009
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Culture Welcome To Italy…  There’s a Tax For That

Welcome To Italy… There’s a Tax For That

Michael Kovnick / April 23, 2010
Cooking Who is Alfredo Sauce, and why do Americans keep asking about him?

Who is Alfredo Sauce, and why do Americans keep asking about him?

Michael Kovnick / March 24, 2010
Travel Tips The Battle with Jet Lag – How to Fight and Win (sort of)

The Battle with Jet Lag – How to Fight and Win (sort of)

Michael Kovnick / May 10, 2010
Culture My Life in Italy, Part 8: “A Tale of Two Italys”

My Life in Italy, Part 8: “A Tale of Two Italys”

Michael Kovnick / October 20, 2019

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Culture
My Life in Italy, Part 13: “Two Guys and a T...
Posted by Michael Kovnick on April 21, 2023

As with every post in this series, if you are jumping in here, it is like jumping into the middle of a movie. Please start...

Culture
My Life in Italy, Part 12: “Bury The Mice In The G...
Posted by Michael Kovnick on August 5, 2020

12th part in a series of the story of an American moving to small town Italy in the 1980's, learning the culture and finding a...

Culture
My Life in Italy, Part 11: “Winter is Coming...
Posted by Michael Kovnick on July 17, 2020

If you are just jumping in here, please start with Part 1. It is January 1985 now, and the weather has been in the mid 70’s...

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