For your 17 hour flights: My husband and I just finished watching Dept Q on Netflix. Very good, a bit bloody (I had to cover my eyes a few times), I couldn't stop watching. Check it out!
Elizabeth, for your trip: Read or listen to E.Jean Carroll's fabulous new memoir, Not My Type; also Graydon Carter's memoir is fun, When the Going Was Good. Watch The Righteous Gemstones, the final episode of which is one of the best things I've ever seen on tv. Bon voyage!
Poker Face & Your Friends and Neighbors are both fun, perfect for plane viewing. And Ghosts (both the UK and US version) are silly. I miss the UK ghosts desperately. It took me a minute to adjust to the US version, but now I love them too.
Hello from New Mexico! Just finished reading The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Heavy hitting, but very much worth it. And thank you for the recommending Hetty Lui McKinnon’s cabbage & tofu recipe. Will make that tonight as I have all those ingredients on hand👍👍👍👍
I always love reading you. This time, you struck a chord very close to my heart. What you said about AI is so true—and I found your hope for a renewed focus on good, real food especially moving. At @Gustiamo, we’re ready to go viral in promoting Italy’s real heroes: the small farmers, fishermen, and food artisans. Grazie!
I just finished The Women by Kristin Hannah. A wonderful story of an Army nurse in Vietnam. It’s so important not to forget what our Vietnam vets went through, both there and back home.
Thanks for sharing the Real Simple piece Elizabeth—so happy to include Via Rosa! I also read The Waiting, and feel the exact same way. Dependable, if not earth-shaking. Also, I really appreciated that AI/fast food comparison. I too am hoping for (maybe seeing?) a reaction in favor of in-person and tactile.
We are seeing it, I think, in the reaction to our tours. They sell out in a minute which I think means people are really hungering for real experiences. And Thank YOU for featuring us!!
For your 17 hour flights: My husband and I just finished watching Dept Q on Netflix. Very good, a bit bloody (I had to cover my eyes a few times), I couldn't stop watching. Check it out!
So many people have recommended that! Definitely downloading.
Elizabeth, for your trip: Read or listen to E.Jean Carroll's fabulous new memoir, Not My Type; also Graydon Carter's memoir is fun, When the Going Was Good. Watch The Righteous Gemstones, the final episode of which is one of the best things I've ever seen on tv. Bon voyage!
Somehow can't do non-fiction while traveling. I'm 100% in escape mode. But Righteous Gemstones sounds about right. Thanks!
Poker Face & Your Friends and Neighbors are both fun, perfect for plane viewing. And Ghosts (both the UK and US version) are silly. I miss the UK ghosts desperately. It took me a minute to adjust to the US version, but now I love them too.
Thanks!!
Hello from New Mexico! Just finished reading The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Heavy hitting, but very much worth it. And thank you for the recommending Hetty Lui McKinnon’s cabbage & tofu recipe. Will make that tonight as I have all those ingredients on hand👍👍👍👍
I always love reading you. This time, you struck a chord very close to my heart. What you said about AI is so true—and I found your hope for a renewed focus on good, real food especially moving. At @Gustiamo, we’re ready to go viral in promoting Italy’s real heroes: the small farmers, fishermen, and food artisans. Grazie!
I just finished The Women by Kristin Hannah. A wonderful story of an Army nurse in Vietnam. It’s so important not to forget what our Vietnam vets went through, both there and back home.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing the Real Simple piece Elizabeth—so happy to include Via Rosa! I also read The Waiting, and feel the exact same way. Dependable, if not earth-shaking. Also, I really appreciated that AI/fast food comparison. I too am hoping for (maybe seeing?) a reaction in favor of in-person and tactile.
We are seeing it, I think, in the reaction to our tours. They sell out in a minute which I think means people are really hungering for real experiences. And Thank YOU for featuring us!!
The Pitt is great. dept Q. Friends and neighbors.
LOVED both the Pitt and Friends and Neighbors. Wish I had kept them for the flight. ;)
Isola by allegra goodman is a well-researched page turner
I recommend Abigail Dean’s book THE DEATH of US. Well written & gripping.
About to embark on our annual Puglian month. I love the low tech in the southern tip that AI can’t help with. It’s fun to discover in real life!
You can't get more real than the guys selling almonds on the beach!
I planning my first trip to Sardinia this fall. I’m saving this post.
One day I’m going to get there and eat my away across the entire country! Thank you Elizabeth for sharing Italy with us!
So funny that you started this post with your reflections on AI… given that I found it via ChatGPT!
Me: “What about Elizabeth minchilli’s tips for northern Sardinia”
Chat: “Here’s what Elizabeth Minchilli has shared about Northern Sardinia:
⸻
✨ From her Substack “48 hours in Sardegna” (July 2025)
She recently covered a whirlwind weekend in Northern Sardinia. Highlights include:… etc”
Thanks for the excellent intel, I’ll be in Sardinia for a week next month and cannot wait to check these out!