Espresso stories: Jasmin Dobrovsky

In our Espresso Stories, we share brief, compelling interviews with inspiring people. From travel experts and hosts to producers, artists, artisans, and visionaries – their stories lead us off the beaten track to hidden corners of Italy, revealing fresh perspectives beyond the familiar paths.

Over an espresso, we dive into what fuels their passion.
 Short, meaningful, and full of soul – just like a perfect espresso.

Immersive Art: A Creative Adventure with Artist Jasmin Dobrovsky on the Mediterranean

When art is not only about colours and shapes, but also of joie de vivre, encounters and genuine experiences – then there is a vision behind it.
 

Viennese artist Jasmin Dobrovsky – creative guide at our Art Retreat Liguria – talks about childhood memories, her path to art, sources of inspiration and what makes our Art Retreat in Liguria so special.
 
Jasmin, how did you get into art?

Jasmin, how did you get into art?  I loved painting from an early age and preferred spending time in stationery shops rather than toy shops. Later on, I was determined to do something creative, but I didn’t immediately have the confidence to become an artist. I worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for several years before taking the plunge into art. 

How would you describe your art?
I paint what I love and what touches me. My art is colorful and diverse – just like my life.
 
What inspires you most when painting?
People! Whether I’m painting portraits or flowers – I’m often inspired through contact with others: conversations, interesting faces, new perspectives. So much happens when people come together.
 
Which artists or art movements have particularly influenced you?
Of course, I admire many painters. But other types of artists also influence and inspire me a lot. That’s why I also host a Podcast where I have conversations with fellow artists.
 
What can participants expect from the Art Retreat with you?
Joy of life! Because alongside all the technical knowledge – which I’m of course happy to share – it’s important to me that joy takes center stage in art. Creating something should feel good; tension and pressure aren’t helpful.
 
What does a Art Retreat day look like? 
Each day will look completely different. In addition to a variety of activities, there will be diverse workshops on the program. From portrait painting on canvas to painting ceramics – there will be a lot to explore.
 
What’s the benefit of the multi-day Art Retreat compared to a one-day workshop?
Immerse yourself, unwind – for several days. This allows for an entirely different state of mind. Away from your usual surroundings and daily life, surrounded by inspiring impressions, you can create in a completely new way. Plus, as a coach, I can really get to know the participants – and they can get to know me – which is something there’s often too little time for in my “regular” studio workshops.
 
Why is taking a creative break so important in today’s world? 
So much happens digitally nowadays. We long for real experiences. Creating something with your own hands strengthens the mind while also setting it free.
 
What is special for you and the Art Retreat participants when art is created outdoors or while travelling?
I’ve often had the experience of feeling deeply inspired on vacation and thinking: “As soon as I get home, I’ll paint this and that” – simply because I didn’t have the right materials with me at the time. The Art Retreat offers the opportunity to use the beautiful, inspiring surroundings right away to dive into creativity.
 
If the Art Retreat were a painting – what would it look like?

Colorful, yet harmonious! A picture you love to look at – one you’d want to dive right into.

About

Jasmin Dobrovsky is an artist from Vienna. She paints what she loves. The themes of her paintings arise from her passions: flowers, portraits, books and Italy are among them. This has already resulted in a whole series of Italy-inspired paintings.

As part of her Art Podcast ‘Kunst-Podcasts “Ist das Kunst, oder kann das weg?’ (Is that art, or can we toss it?) Jasmin engages in inspiring conversations with other artists of all kinds.

Jasmin also offers Art Workshops in her studio in Vienna. Now she is combining these with her passion for Italy!

 

Art Retreat Liguria from 12 to 17 May 2026

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and accompanied by a Mediterranean atmosphere, individual works of art are created under the professional guidance of Jasmin Dobrovsky. The programme includes a variety of workshops with acrylics, watercolours and ink, accompanied by excursions to beautiful coastal towns such as Noli, Varigotti and Savona, as well as visits to local studios.

The Art Retreat in Liguria offers the perfect opportunity to indulge your creativity while being inspired by ‘la dolce vita’!

Find more information on the Art Retreat Liguria here!

Italy in your Kitchen

Tiramisù

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In celebration of International Tiramisù Day on 21 March, we embark on a journey to discover the history and delightful flavors of one of Italy’s most beloved desserts and share our favorite recipe.

The origins of tiramisù are as rich and layered as the dessert itself: The roots of tiramisù date back to the Veneto region in 1800, particularly the city of Treviso (in the local dialect “tireme su“) and the vibrant streets of Venice. While the exact origin story is subject to debate, one thing remains certain: tiramisù embodies the essence of Italian culinary tradition and creativity.

The name “tiramisù“ translates to “pick-me-up” or “lift-me-up” in Italian, a fitting name for a dessert that promises to elevate your spirits with each bite. This delicous dessert is a harmonious blend of ladyfingers (“savoiardi“), mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar as well as espresso and cocoa.

The beauty of tiramisù lies in its simplicity, allowing each ingredient to shine while coming together to create a symphony of flavors on the plate.

Here’s our most favorite recipe to get you started on your tiramisù-making journey:

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs
  • 500 g mascarpone cheese
  • 4 tablespoons of sugar
  • 300 g ladyfingers
  • (savoiardi biscuits)
  • 8 cups of cold coffee
  • cocoa

Preparation:

  1. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites and place them in two separate bowls.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the yolks and mix well until light and frothy.
  3. Add the mascarpone cheese and stir the mixture until it is smooth and fluffy.
  4.  Whip the egg whites until they reach a very stiff consistency, also adding 2 tablespoons of sugar.
  5. Add egg whites to the mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone cheese very gently and spoon by spoon, incorporating the egg whites without loosing their fluffiness.
  6. Take a small baking dish or dessert glasses and spread a layer of cream in it, then cover it with a layer of ladyfingers quickly dipped (not soaked) in cold coffee.
  7. Cover with another layer of cream, then another layer of ladyfingers, and so on until you finish the ingredients.
  8. Place the tiramisù in the fridge and leave it to rest for at least two hours.
  9. Sprinkle the tiramisù with cocoa powder before serving.

  10. Enjoy!

 

Try this recipe at home and feel free to tag us in your tiramisù photos on Instagram or Facebook!

Italy in your Kitchen

Italy in your kitchen: risotto agli asparagi

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Spring is here and the asparagus season is just around the corner! In Italian cuisine, asparagus comes in many different forms, often with fresh pasta or as risotto. Therefore, we share with you our favourite recipe for a typical asparagus risotto. It is particularly important to pay attention to the quality of the basic ingredients – asparagus, risotto rice (e.g. Carnaroli or Arborio) and wine.

Ingredients

  • 500 g asparagus
  • 300 g rice (e.g. Carnaroli, Arborio)
  • 125 ml white wine
  • 1 l vegetable broth
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • parmesan
  • fresh parsley
  • salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Wash the asparagus and cut its woody ends.
  2. Cut the asparagus into pieces of ca. 2 cm and steam half of the asparagus for 6 to 8 minutes.
  3. Melt the butter and add the minced onion.
  4. Saute the onion until softened, add the rice as well as the fresh (not steamed) asparagus pieces and sligthly toast everything.
  5. Pour in the wine and stir well.
  6. Reduce the heat and cook the risotto by adding some hot vegetable broth at a time.
  7. Stir occasionally and add more broth once the rice has absorbed most of the liquid until the rice is “al dente” (around 15 to 20 minutes).
  8. In the meantime, puree the steamed asparagus leaving a few of the spear-headed tips for the garnish.
  9. Add the asparagus puree to the risotto, remove it from the heat and leave to rest for some minutes.
  10. Taste the risotto and, if necessary, season with salt and pepper.
  11. Serve topped with some steamed tips, fresh parsley and grated parmesan.
  12. Buon appetito!

City of the Month

Asolo

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Located in the north-eastern Italian region of Veneto, Asolo is a hidden gem that has been awarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Italy (“I Borghi più belli d’Italia”).

A place of refuge

The name Asolo comes from the Latin word “asylum”, meaning refuge. In this context, Asolo offers a retreat for those who would like to escape the hustle and bustly of everyday life and spend some relaxing days in the hills of Venento. This history goes back many centuries: already in Roman times, it has been a town with a theatre and a spa.

A hundred horizons

Characteristic of Asolo, called the “city of a hundred horizons” by Giosuè Carducci, are the gentle hills, magnificent churches, typical squares (like Piazza Garibaldi) and small streets but even more the ancient walls, frescoes and historic villas – a reminder of the town’s millennial history.

Something for every taste

The city of Asolo and its surroundings offer something for all tastes and interests: from history, art and culture in local museums, art galleries and theatres, to cycling in the hills of Veneto, enjoying a coffee in Cafè Centrale watching the town life, immersing into the rich local cuisine or exploring the nearby Street of Prosecco – Asolo offers everything that makes an enjoyable holiday.

Relaxation and "la dolce vita"

Curious to discover Asolo? If you would like to get to know Asolo in a particularly relaxed way, we can highly recommend our Yoga Retreats which also take place in Asolo. Together with the wonderful Austrian yoga teacher Stefanie Mandl we offer a combination of yoga and sound retreats as well as a full immersion in the dolce vita that Asolo has to offer. Find out more here!

Top 10 places to visit in Asolo:

  • Rocca di Asolo
  • Castello della Regina Cornaro
  • Mercatino dell’Antiquariato (antique market, every second Sunday of the month)
  • Piazza Garibaldi
  • Duomo di Asolo
  • Villa Freya Stark (amphitheatre)
  • Museo Civico
  • Teatro Duse
  • Convento Padri Cappuccini
  • Due Mori (restaurant with authentic dishes and fantastic views)

Picture Diary

Perugia

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Built on a 450 m high hill, Perugia is the capital of the Italian region of Umbria. The city was founded by the Etruscans in the 6th century and developed into a very important city thanks to is strategic location. In addition to impressive architecture and numerous sights, Perugia offers a breathtaking view of the Appenine Mountains and the nearby Lake Trasimeno.

Top 10 places to visit in Perugia:

  • Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria
  • Church of San Pietro
  • Arco d’Augusto
  • Church of San Lorenzo
  • Rocca Paolina
  • Piazza IV Novembre and Fontana Maggiore
  • Oratorio di San Bernardino
  • Palazzo dei Priori and Collegio del Cambio
  • Church of San Domenico
  • Museo Archeologico

City of the Month

Alba

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Situated in the southern part of the Italian region of Piedmont, Alba is considered to be the heart of the vineyard landscape Langhe – one of 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy. Once of a polygonal shape, Alba remains to have some of its fantastic medieval characteristics.

Alba Pompeia

With archeological findings dating back to the Neolithic and the Iron Age period, Alba’s history starts before the Roman civilization. In the first century, Alba has been home to Celtic and Ligurian tribe settlements. Under its Ancient name “Alba Pompeia”, the city was situated in a strategic location along the important route beween Acqui Terme and Turin.

City of hundred towers

Back in the days, Alba was known as the city of hundred towers. Once as a measure of defense, some towers are still well-maintained nowadays and are considered to be the central symbols of Alba.

The capital of white truffle

Being the home of “tartufi bianchi” (white truffles), Alba is also a perfect getaway for foodies. Launched more than 80 years ago, the International Alba White Truffle Fair takes place on weekends from the beginning of October to the end of November and is the place to be for truffle lovers.

In vino veritas

Located closeby to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the vineyard landscape of Monferrato as well as lovely towns such as Barolo, Asti or Barbaresco, Alba is furthermore a great place for wine lovers. Some of its most famous wines include Barbera, Dolcetto, Barolo and Moscato. What is more, every year in April, Alba hosts the famous Vinum wine festival.

Top 10 places to visit in Alba:

  • Palazzo Communale (Town Hall)
  • City Towers
  • Cathedral of San Lorenzo
  • Church of San Domenico
  • Federico Eusebio Civic Museum of Archaelogoy and Natural Sciences
  • Michele Ferrero Square
  • Church of San Giuseppe
  • Church of St John the Baptist
  • Palazzo Mostre e Congressi
  • Church of Santa Maria Maddalena

Italy in your Kitchen

Italy in your kitchen:
focaccia genovese

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According to the tradition, focaccia genovese (in Ligurian dialect called “fügassa”), is both soft inside as well as crunchy outside and generously covered by extra virgin olive oil and salt. We don’t only share the recipe for focaccia genovese but also the secret ingredient: time. 

Ingredients

  • 600 g flour
  • 400 ml water (room temperature)
  • 40 ml olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 2 tbsp fine salt 
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 15 g yeast
Topping:
  • 2 tbsp coarse salt
  • olive oil (extra virgin)
  • optional: rosmary leaves, cherry tomatoes, olives or sliced onions

Preparation

  1. To prepare the focaccia genovese, mix the yeast with sugar and water and let it rest for 10 minutes.
  2. In a big bowl, mix the flour and salt with the yeast mixture and then add the olive oil.
  3. Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rest for two hours in a warm place.
  4. In the meantime, put olive oil on the baking tray.
  5. Place the dough on the tray and let rest for another two hours.
  6. Put olive oil and coarse salt on top and create little dimples with the finger tips.
  7. Let the focaccia rest for another two hours.
  8. Heat the oven to 230°C and sprinkle the focaccia with a bit of water (for the typical colour).
  9. Bake the focaccia for approximately 20 minutes.
  10. Serve the focaccia still warm or at room temperatures and enjoy!