If you’ve been to the vibrant, bustling city of Milan you’ve surely admired the iconic marble Gothic Duomo with its elegant spires and the flanking Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping center capped with a 19th century glass and steel dome. But did you know there is a whole new city sprouting up across town? In […]
Who was San Valentino?
Buon San Valentino! As another Valentine’s day rolls around we contemplate the history behind this lover’s holiday. Did you know Valentine was an Italian saint?…but it’s complicated. Turns out there are several legends related to different versions of Saint Valentines, the most popular being the priest or bishop Valentinus who was born in Terni, an […]
Sicilian Ceramics – Heads of Moors
While walking through the stone streets of Taormina on the eastern coast of Sicily, you’ll be sure to spot the bright and whimsical Sicilian hand-painted ceramics in all sorts of shapes and forms. Balconies and terraces tend to be decked with particular types of ceramic pots shaped like heads, usually seen in pairs, one male […]
Procida – Italy’s Capital of Culture 2022
This past week the colorful island of Procida won the honor of being chosen as Italy’s Capital of Culture for 2022. The tiny island, located just off the Gulf of Naples, is a popular destination for summer vacationers and day-trippers from Naples and the surrounding coast. The island is dotted with cheery pastel-colored houses, characteristic […]
Salute! The Italian Aperitivo
It’s the best time of the day! The aperitivo is one of the best examples of true Italian dolce vita. Especially in Italian cities, this cocktail hour is a golden moment when people meet for a drink after work and before dinner at a local bar for a typical Italian toppler – usually based on […]
Christmas Sweets in Italy
Trees are twinkling, piazzas are decked, nativity scenes in place in Italy – now it’s time to break open the Italian Christmas dolci! Across the world, the holidays are an excuse to let loose and enjoy a few more tempting sweets than normal. In Italy that means certain go-to foods that everyone enjoys, along with […]
