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    © 2016 by Long Weekend Design

    Part 4 - The Red Peppers of Senise

    March 14, 2019

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    Martine

    Senise is a town situated on the edge of Europe's largest reservoir. Actually depending on who you speak to could be second largest or the largest made of beaten earth, no facts are actually fact here and that's all part of the charm.

    The Pepperoni of Senise, a dried, s...

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    Part 3 - Chiramonte The Salami Of Arcomano

    March 12, 2019

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    Martine

    What a pleasure it was to visit Chiramonte, a mountain top town about 40 minutes from Tursi. I was on the trail of some of best Salami, pancetta, Laredo produced in la Basilicata. 

    As always a drama, in fact more than one. The road after Val Sinni was closed and so we w...

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    Part 2 - The Porcini of San Severino

    March 5, 2019

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    Martine

    San Severino Luciano is in the Pollino National Park, the largest in Europe at almost 2000 square kilometers. Pollino is a wonderful Summer refuge from the searing July and August heat. Its dappled shade a welcome respite. It is also home to the oldest tree in Europe t...

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    Part 1 - Pane di Trecchina

    March 1, 2019

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    Martine

    Trecchina almost on Basilicata’s West Coast, close to Maratea is renowned for its fine sour dough bread. There are an assortment of bakeries selling from semi industrial to truly artisan loaves. I chose those that I liked the best to bring home for a tasting....

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    Basilicata: A Coast to Coast Gastronomic Tour

    February 19, 2019

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    Martine

    Basilicata is a region steeped in history and overflowing with marvellous produce waiting to be transformed into wonderful dishes redolent of this extraordinary part of Italy.

    Vaguely following the path of Rocco Papaleo and his band as they walk from Maratea on Basilica...

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    Weddings at The Mandarin

    January 15, 2018

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    Martine

    The Mandarin, in all its guises is one of the most photographed houses in la Basilicata. The Arabic arches, now fully revealed are just the perfect photo op for bride and groom.

    My first beautiful bride Federica, spent the night before her wedding day here with her sist...

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    The Mandarin's Journey

    January 15, 2018

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    Martine

    2017 was a year of highs and lows as far as The Mandarin was concerned. The beginning of the year saw snow, the like of which in Tursi is only seen every 20 years or so. Temperatures of minus 8 every night for a week and well over a foot of icy, slipperiness. Followed...

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    Waste not want not

    May 2, 2017

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    Martine

    The Mandarin and The Kumquat are all about re loving, upcycling and reusing everything. Southern Italy probably invented recycling, many household items are remodeled and nothing is ever thrown away. Wire coat hangers for example are cut into pieces and shaped into S s...

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    Something fishy at The Bergamot

    April 3, 2017

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    Martine

    It’s the start of April and l am on the beach, my biggest dilemma......deciding whether l should shed my jeans and expose my super pasty winter legs to the sun. It’s 9 o'clock and already quite warm. The sand is spotless after a winter with no visitors, the sun is maki...

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    Notes from The Bergamot and her siblings The Mandarin & The Kumquat

    March 9, 2017

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    Martine

    At last l have discovered just what l enjoy doing with my life, restoring these beautiful old houses and sharing them with my friends. 

    It’s just so wonderful when guests totally get the vibe. Ok for some it’s a bit strange without TV, but do we really need it in our li...

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    Featured Posts

    Part 3 - Chiramonte The Salami Of Arcomano

    March 12, 2019

    Part 1 - Pane di Trecchina

    March 1, 2019

    Part 4 - The Red Peppers of Senise

    March 14, 2019

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    Recent Posts

    Part 4 - The Red Peppers of Senise

    March 14, 2019

    Part 3 - Chiramonte The Salami Of Arcomano

    March 12, 2019

    Part 2 - The Porcini of San Severino

    March 5, 2019

    Part 1 - Pane di Trecchina

    March 1, 2019

    Basilicata: A Coast to Coast Gastronomic Tour

    February 19, 2019

    Weddings at The Mandarin

    January 15, 2018