ITALY IN CRISIS
It gives me no pleasure to write the following, but I find it necessary to keep travelers informed and prepared prior to arriving in Italy.
I watch Italian TV news and read Italian newspapers and magazines regularly. Why you may ask? Because if I claim to be an "Italian specialist" I must be aware not just of what is happening in the tourism sector, but also what is going on socially in the country.
The US media has largely ignored the news, possibly thinking it is a local event not worthy of coverage. Here it is: Italy is being inundated by illegal immigrants coming mostly across the waters from Libya in rafts, boats, and any vessel which will float long enough to enter Italian waters. They are then rescued by the Italian Coast Guard, Italian Red Cross and other humanitarian groups. There are thousands of these people arriving DAILY,  who allegedly ( by European community agreements) just want to pass through and be welcomed in France, Germany, Britain etc.  The reality is that those aforementioned countries, part of the European Community, are refusing entrance to these illegal immigrants once they see they have no documents or any way of identifying themselves. A bottleneck is therefore created ; these people are dumped at major train stations where they sleep, relieve themselves, block passages and essentially create  a nuisance.
They have also been loaded on buses and simply dumped in the center of towns, villages, cities without forewarning the local authorities and most importantly the citizenry. No place to sleep, no food, no facilities...and you can just imagine the ensuing chaos. The majority of the illegals are claiming they must leave their countries of origin because of ongoing civil wars. Although this may be partly true, the danger is that hidden amongst the elderly, the women, the children, are physically fit young males who could also be terrorists eager to infiltrate the now borderless European community.  Political correctness is such, that very few politicians in Italy are willing to do much to stop the influx, rather they are very willing to pocket the millions of euros Brussels sends to care for the emergency needs of this human avalanche. A huge political scandal has erupted in Rome recently with allegations that politicians of the highest levels have enriched themselves personally, while ignoring the chaos being created in their localities.
Just this week the Tiburtina station in Rome and the Central Station in Milano resemble more encampments one would normally see in third world  war torn countries, than a civilized Western metropolitan area.
All this could be elaborated at length but my reason for publishing this is mostly for my clients who entrust me to create their trips.
If you should decide to book your own trips via the internet,you will NOT be made aware of areas you should avoid while traveling. You will NOT have prior warnings about civil unrest which could ruin your vacation. You may end up choosing a  hotel or an apartment in an undesirable part of town, you may unknowingly travel on a certain train line notorious for petty theft and other criminality.
My role is to be aware of all current events and to prepare, forewarn and protect the travelers who entrust me with their trip planning.
Italy is a WONDERFUL country, it can be very safe for adults and children alike, it is obviously filled with ancient as well as contemporary  culture one can find in no other country in the world. With some suggestions and guidance from an expert, you can be helped in navigating the many restaurants and food venues safely, avoiding the ones that could disappoint and take advantage of your lack of knowledge. I may suggest you NOT rent a car in certain regions, while in others I would encourage it. I can explain why a private tour, vs a group one. My expertise is far ranging.
I have letter after letter from clients thanking me for the suggestions, the planning, the hotels chosen, the transportation arranged, and the fair pricing commensurate with the services provided.
The expertise of a good travel agent can be invaluable, the reliance on the anonymous web could be disastrous.....choose wisely!!

Hyatt with a "Z"


Hyatt Corporation's foray into the all-inclusive market began in Mexico and is now delving aggressively into other geographical locations, Jamaica being the latest.
They purchased the former Ritz Carlton, the grande dame of Montego Bay, and worked feverishly to transform it into their "Z" branded resort.
All good intentions aside, what has emerged is a mix of new and old, with enough categories to confuse everyone, including travel professionals.
First, let's distinguish between the names: Ziva is family inclusive, while Zilara is adults only. Simple enough, right? Well...not so much.

Hyatt Ziva occupies the physical space of the former Ritz Carlton. The decor is mostly unchanged, except an almost undistinguishable face lift.  The rooms are spacious, the bathrooms marble, but the furnishings along with the hallways and elevators are reminiscent of the past, rather than the future. With the addition of a brand new building offering more modern and therefore contemporary accommodations, it has created a new option which will please those like myself, who enjoy the modern and fresh, with lighter wall and furniture as well as fabrics in monochromatic and more subtle colors.
This new building faces a courtyard with comfortable lounge style seating , a bar in the center as well as the majority of the restaurants serving both Ziva and Zilara guests.
Zilara guests, therefore, have to ambulate to Ziva for most of their dining.

Hyatt Zilara, is mostly new construction, and is accessible from Ziva both via a maze of internal corridors and elevators as well as from exterior passages.
Any adult residing in Ziva has full access to Zilara, except for the scarce dining venues there, where one's room number will determine one's admittance.
I said mostly new construction, because inexplicably, one wing of Zilara is actually a part of one of the original older buildings and shares both Ziva and Zilara rooms.
Talk about confusing. You could reserve a room at Zilara, thinking this is the newest part of the resort, and end up in an older wing, with the more traditional furnishings!
A good travel agent ( get the hint?) can help you navigate through all this!

Ziva has two large pools  one with swim up bar, and the common areas are therefore more spacious and welcoming, while Zilara has a smaller pool, also housing the ubiquitous swim up bar. But when pool exercises are taking place, there is scant room for lounging unobstructed. Ziva, with its  more expansive pool areas is a better choice, despite the younger ones frolicking about.

Let's talk beach.....or what beach?
Unfortunately there are only two small beach areas. The one in front of Zilara is quite rocky and unpleasant to the feet. The one in front of Ziva is smoother, yet quite small and shallow....almost a very large kiddie pool!  When Ritz managed this property they gave guests the option of using a nearby beach club for a better swimming experience. Hyatt does not offer that option.

The branding of any hotel product is as important to both consumers and sellers as almost any other component being offered. Hyatt , just like Ms. Minelli, went with the "Z".
Every venue in the resort therefore must have a "z" incorporated in its name.
A few examples:  Bar Fez, Italian restaurant De Roza, French restaurant Petite Pariz,
Islandz pool bar, Stirz piano bar..... See what I mean? I won't bore you with the rest, but it all becomes a bit un imaginative and contrived....oops I just saw a member of the Z Crew walking by ( yes the resort workers around the pool wear  t-shits proclaiming  their allegiance to the Z!!!!)

Food was very good overall, particularly the Italian DeRoza with its wood burning pizza oven and fresh offerings of pastas, seafood and meats.
The Brazil restaurant, a churrasqueria, not as satisfying to my personal taste. Some cuts of meat good, while others not so much.
Breakfast buffet is varied in its offerings, but ordinary at best.
Drinks seem to be mostly mediocre and watered down. Premium liquor drinks are only offered at the afore mentioned Stirz Piano bar, located in the lobby of Ziva, and at  most Zilara venues.  For an upscale resort, that is unfortunate.

What makes this resort special, are the Jamaicans themselves,  who perpetually go out of their way to acknowledge all guests and make them feel at home. They all place their right hand to their heart as they cross your path, coupled with an infectious smile and a warm greeting.
It is because of them Jamaica will always remain one of my very favorite destinations in the Caribbean. YA MON!
Hyatt has a good concept, which once refined, will enhance their brand(Z

Club Med Punta Cana
"it Takes A French Village....."

I had not visited a Club Med resort in well over 25 years, so when this recent opportunity presented itself, I immediately accepted the invitation to spend a few days at their Punta Cana location.
Arriving at the Punta Cana airport can sometimes  be both daunting and frustrating. The seemingly interminable line snakes around in a hangar like building with no air conditioning , finally spilling itself into another building, this time a thatched roof one where unsmiling officials take $10 cash from each arriving passenger, dispensing a small paper receipt, which is then checked by another "official" who tears it in half and then directs you to passport control. A mad dash for your luggage and then the search for your transfer guide, one of dozens holding hand written signs. I finally found the one I needed, holding a sign that read CLUD (sic)MED, written in bold blue marker.
However, you may experience a much smoother arrival experience, if you happen to land when yours is the only flight arriving at that particular time, as many of my fellow travelers informed me.

CLUB MED PUNTA CANA is located just a few minutes away from the airport and is located on a long stretch of pristine beach, shaded by tall palm trees and blessed with sea breezes which make the hours lounging poolside or on the beach much more tolerable and pleasant.
Unlike the Club Med resorts of yesteryear, and by that I mean the 1950's through the 1990's, the brand has evolved, modernized and upgraded in order to compete in this new world of all-inclusives  that did not exist when Club Med was busy creating the concept.
What was once a young adult camp filled with booze purchased with beads, and continual parties is now a brand that offers deluxe accommodations, private villas and activities for families and children.
In Punta Cana, you will find such a family centered resort, offering safe and organized activities catering to all ages, from 4 month old infants, to teens, divided into "baby club"  (4-23 months), "petit club"( 2-3 year olds)  "mini club" (4-10 years olds) , "pajama club" (4 month to 10 years old ...late night , at an extra fee) and even "passworld" categories for 11-17 year olds which is further subdivided appropriately by age.
The activities for children and adults seem infinite and provide something to do at every hour of the day and evening. Aside from the ubiquitous water sports, there are opportunities to play or learn to play tennis, soccer, bocce,archery, basketball, fly on a trapeze and also try other circus centric actions and contortions !  A new "Cirque du Solieil" activity center is in the works and will be completed by June, 2015.
Salsa dancing classes went on all afternoon on a deck, beachside, while others just sunbathed in tranquility under a palapa or a palm tree reading a book, sunbathing or people watching.
Last week while I was there, 69% of the visitors where almost evenly divided between French and Canadians, followed by Americans, Italians , Belgian, Swiss, and representatives from all parts of the world. That said the predominant language used throughout was French, closely followed by English and Spanish. I had fun using my French in communicating with the GO's as well as French speaking visitors.
The very large pool is the epicenter of the resort, flanked by a beautiful and large bar with lounge style seating perched several steps higher than the pool deck. This is the gathering place every evening before and after dinner, with piped music as well as lively DJ action with nightly line dancing straight out of the Club Med play book ( I remember those line dances a few decades ago when visiting a Club Med in Playa Blanca, near Puerto Vallarta).... Not much has changed. The Euro beat music is newer, the moves updated, time seems to have stopped but the fun is still universal!!
Of course there are nightly shows, which I confess did not have a chance to see.
Those who did, seemed to have enjoyed them tremendously!
Meals are all buffet style, served in one of two restaurants . I must say there were surprisingly exquisite dishes offered nightly, with enough variety to please all tastes and culinary expectations. One particular evening, chefs were making fresh pasta, cutting it into perfect ribbons of fettuccine and cooking it al dente ( unheard of at any buffet I ever saw before) , and the delicate choice of sauces were not over salted and delicious. At times one could find whole grilled fish, stir fry made to order, an array of meats and seafood, soups, salads and of course desserts.  There is no waiter service, except to offer you wine, beer , water or coffee; all else is self serve.
The rooms are basic and certainly not as luxurious as those one can find at other resorts. The standard rooms are motel grade and therefore basic. They seem to be located a bit further from the pool, beach and restaurants, while the deluxe rooms were better located and seemed to have a fresher feel, with upgraded amenities, a  mini refrigerator stocked with bottled water and soft drinks, also robes and slippers.
All room categories had a sitting room and small balcony or deck with seating.
There are also 32 beachfront villas with two bedrooms , in a mini gated area which boasts its own bar, snack offerings throughout the day and an infinity pool also beachfront. **** they have Nespresso machines with  a variety of pods !!
For me, personally, a super amenity!!!
The concept of this resort, unlike most others is that it is designed horizontally, alongside their private beach. If one should walk from one extreme side of the resort to the other, always beachfront, it could give you a nice aerobic workout!
While many other branded resorts may also be beachfront, their structures usually are built more inland giving clients less horizontal beach space.
All resorts have pluses and minuses. Club Med Punta Cana has many many pluses including an incredible beach, super friendly staff, tons of activities, great food overall and a real feel of European style hospitality albeit in the Caribbean.
I left out many details, but I want to leave some surprises for you to discover for yourselves on your next visit.
There are special offers periodically, so feel free to ask me and I can certainly help you become a part of the Club Med family!

Traditional Jewish Roman cuisine in Rome

 In a city of about 3.5 million people, the Jewish population in Rome is currently estimated at approximately 27.000.  By all accounts, a small number in light of the fact that this ethnic/religious group has been here over 2000 years, longer than any other community in Europe.

Sometime between the 1550's and the 1800's , the Jewish population was confined to the small geographical location in the center of Rome still called the Jewish ghetto, four gates or "Porte" defining the perimeter. This was a dark period yet one that gave rise to what is still enjoyed today as Roman Jewish street food.  During those three long centuries, they were limited in their access to many ingredients as well as the  means to prepare food, so they became experts as street vendors in the  "friggitori" style...... Therefore frying whatever they could get their hands on: carciofi alla giuda (artichokes), filetti di baccala' (codfish) , Fiori di zucca (zucchini flours), suppli' (known as rice balls elsewhere) etc.
Fast forward to 2015: you can't speak of Roman cuisine today without listing dishes from the Jewish tradition, just as you can't speak of Jewish Roman cuisine without invariably having to include the staples of Italian food. You would be surprised to find that many dishes considered typically "Italian" are actually modern reiterations from the Jewish-Roman kitchens.
I never leave Rome without having consumed at least one or more "carciofi alla giuda", a flash fried artichoke ( no batter) , with crispy leaves on the outside, yet  a tender bitter sweet heart....absolutely delicious. A sprinkle of sea salt accentuates and completes the unique taste.
One must note that despite many of the foods mentioned here are fried, they are never greasy or oily, rather they are battered in a light fluffy batter that crackles at the bite and leaves one satisfied, yet not unctuous; multiple napkins not needed!
Just this month I again enjoyed a great meal in this Roman neighborhood, located between the popular Campo dei Fiori and the banks of the River Tiber, just behind the beautiful Jewish Synagogue.  Because of the recent disturbances of late, police presence was obvious yet unobtrusive as I walked around. The many restaurants and kosher shops were bustling and filled with happy consumers and tourists alike.
Here is a partial list of some restaurants you should not miss on your next trip to Rome. These are all located on the same pedestrian street just a few steps from each other. You can certainly enjoy Roman -Jewish dishes in almost any restaurant in this city, but why not do it in the very location where they were created?
In no particular order or preference, here they are:


La Taverna Del Ghetto..Well, full disclosure, this one is a favorite!!!
Ba' Ghetto
Da Giggetto
Nonna Betta
Il Portico
Bella Carne

Grand Hotel Palace, Rome

GRAND HOTEL PALACE
Via Vittorio Veneto 70
00187. Roma, Italy

Boscolo Hotels suffer from too cutesy post modern decor....lots of shiny surfaces, in your face color schemes and supposedly edgy furniture. No longer in the Boscolo chain, this hotel has retained the decor but improved service. Large rooms, spacious bathrooms, big windows allowing natural light from the roman sun to enter and brighten things. Unfortunately despite its good location, Via Veneto is no longer the go to spot in Rome. Walk around in late evening and you will be accosted by street walkers, people trying to lure you into dubious night spots and you will have to go some distance to find a friendly coffee bar or shop. Many cafés are shuttered and some storefronts closed. The "dolce vita" has left decades ago. That said, it is probably one of the safest places to be in Rome, considering the American Embassy is directly across the street!
This is good solid choice for business travelers, but would not rate it highly for leisure consumers...there are too many better choices in the Eternal City.

View from my window.

ROMA SPOSA 2015 "Italian Wedding Experience"

The 27th edition of this yearly wedding expo called Roma Sposa (literally Rome Bride) was held once again at Rome's convention center called " Nuova Fiera di Roma", a complex of nondescript  hangars located midway between Fiumicino Airport and center city from January 15th to the 19th 2015.

Not knowing what to expect, our group of writers, bloggers, and journalists representing the USA, Great Britain, Israel and Russia entered the first of two pavilions and were immediately enveloped by an organized chaos resembling a middle Eastern souk. The cacophony of sounds emanating  from cheesy wedding singers, vendors inviting prospective customers into their booths as well as groups of families loudly opining about each display, welcomed us. Yes, this is how business is done in Italy! Leisurely, happily, sometimes loudly but ultimately seriously. The wedding business is a multi million Euro affair in Italy generating revenue for multiple enterprises and ultimately the government's coffers.

As we meandered through the intricate maze of corridors accompanied by organizers and representatives of the Fair, we could immediately see that transactions were actually taking place, contracts were being signed, and the futures of some families would eventually be legally and socially intertwined long before the actual wedding day and ideally long after.

As more and more foreigners choose Italy not only for their honeymoons, but also for their destination weddings, I want to make my readers aware that this event could be the ideal one stop shopping and planning destination for all things "wedding".
The eclectic array of vendors include the ubiquitous wedding gown displays, wedding planners, vintage cars and limousines, catering locations and reception halls, make up artists, restauranteurs, Travel agents, jewelers, purveyors of entertainment, real estate agents, furniture manufacturers, and yes even a real helicopter on display for those wanting to arrive in ultimate decadent style before entering their jacuzzi on wheels. Yes indeed, they went there...a full jacuzzi in a modified vintage American limo!
Twice daily fashion shows from various design houses showcasing the latest trends in wedding apparel for both men and women can be used both  as a reprise from the  barrage of visual and sensory overload, and a time to envision what style will most suit you and will best compliment your special day. I had no idea wedding gowns could be purchased in almost every color under the sun including black...goth wedding anyone? Some featured designers showed dual use gowns, which converted  from  the flowing floor length and traditional , into  lace shorts, or pant suits in time for the reception ; something for all tastes and budgets.

The most unique feature of the fair is "Wed Academy" ( I'm pretty sure they were not referring to Wednesday but I digress...).  This is a separate area where prospective couples can have one on one consultations with some of the top ranking experts in their respective fields, therefore cutting through the extraneous and focusing on the desires of the individuals who ultimately will spend a large portion of their savings for their one very special day.

For my readers and clients in the USA, I can serve as that liaison since unfortunately many of the vendor's command  of the English language is woefully lacking.
I have had experience in locating, booking and arranging all the services one may need for a wedding in Italy. I travel there frequently in order to network, make contacts and sift through what I feel may most appeal to American audiences.
From airline tickets to transfers, hotels and all services described above, feel free to contact me, your Italian concierge!

On a completely different note...a movie review!!

My very biased review of the new movie "Exodus:
Gods and Kings"

The phrase " I read the book and the book was better" is heard much too often from movie goers almost universally, so I won't descend into that banal and obvious cliche.

Hollywood does what Hollywood does: make entertainment for the masses worldwide, so it is obvious it will create visual story lines that will please most people just a bit and displease as many others, particularly when a plot is borrowed from a popular and well known piece of literature. We have seen Shakespeare's works bastardized over and over again, for example, so it is no surprise they have done the same over the ages with Biblical plot lines.
Some are pleased that the secular tycoons in "Hollyland " are embracing more and more stories based in the Holy Land. After all, It shows an interest in religion after a decades long pause, they explain. While that might be almost true, they delve into subject matter which is as foreign to them as a Tea Party rally. They take the Holy Bible as if it were another book from the library shelves and liberally apply their biases to the stories; add a bit of romance, lots of blood and gore, explosions, special effects, banal dialogue, mix it all together with a very loud soundtrack....tie it all up in a bow and wish "Happy generic Holidays" to the bored movie goers looking to be entertained between raucous office parties and last minute shopping.

So far, no surprises, it is a formula tried and true to those in "the industry".
This latest Xmas gift from them is "Exodus: Gods and Kings".
We are offered the main character,  a Moses who is as ruthless and murderously vile as his adopted family , an antagonist in King Ramses who despite being a slave master and a sociopath, is given a pass because he and his adopted brother Moses  are equally despicable. Can you say " moral relativity"?
We are introduced to god ( I used lower case here on purpose) who is reduced to a sniveling, pedantic bully-boy who appears and disappears like a ghoul in a Steven King novel.....never offering uplifting or kind words, but rather always whining and  as precociously annoying as a typical middle school male.. Something I am much familiar with!
The subtext of social uprising is also present. Give a Liberal an opportunity, and he will insert it in a TV show or movie plot. The Hebrews are portrayed almost as
the ancient version of today's Wall Street occupiers while the Egyptians as the rich, corrupt slave masters who were probably following the teachings of Pharaoh Limbaugh on " ROX (hieroglyphics) News"  While historically true, ( the part that the Egyptians enslaved the Hebrews that is) the portrayal in the flick is trivialized and shown without context. Had they done their due diligence, they could have consulted the Text and found that God's hand in saving Moses' life, having him live amongst the Egyptian rulers, in calling the Hebrews "His  people", in fulfilling His promises as foretold by the prophets and the ultimate preparation for the coming of a future Messiah were integral in explaining the events....in context.
Even the parting of the Red Sea is offered as an unexplained cataclysmic phenomenon (global warming??) occurring as a low tide event that then reversed itself tsunami style and caused the drowning of most Egyptian warriors and an even handed number of Hebrews, just to make it "fair".
Of course I can hear my Liberal family members and friends laughing at my paranoia and my right wing loony vision of the world. (There is no war on Christmas they proclaim, it's all made up on Fox News! ) I could go on with more examples, but I don't feel compelled to, since my readers will embellish and fill in the blanks with their own biased examples and anecdotes one way or another.

Let me just say this....according to the film makers, all this occurred many centuries BCE, if you turn away from the screen for a minute, you may have missed this little gem. By using the term BC, they would have had to acknowledge Christ, something abhorrent to them. Before the Christian Era (BCE) is much more palatable to seculars who hope to cash in on a story from The Holy Bible in order to make money around the Jewish and Christian Holidays. Need I say more?
Those who have never read the Book will come away either confused or less open to the Judeo-Christian faith. Those of us who have read and studied the Book will just shake our collective heads and move on, praying and hoping for  a conversation in order to have the opportunity to share the real story.
In short: I liked the title, the special effects, the costumes, the acting.
Merry belated CHRISTmas.
The end.