The brave work of the anti-mafia organization AddioPizzo.org was recently brought to my attention. “Addio Pizzo” means “Goodbye, Pizzo,” the latter word meaning the protection money that hundreds of businesses throughout Sicily have had to pay to the powerful, omnipresent mafia. AddioPizzo was formed in 2004 after a group of young Sicilian entrepreneurs, afraid that [...]
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Six Places to Celebrate Carnival in Italy
by Melanie on 05. Feb, 2010 in Destinations, Festivals and Events, Piemonte, Rome, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Venice
It’s Carnival time again in Italy, when Italians prepare to say “goodbye meat!” (Carnevale) by throwing lavish parties and parades before hunkering down for 40 days and nights of denial during the Holy Lenten Season. Many travelers think that Carnevale only takes place in Venice. While Venice has the best known Carnival in Italy, there [...]
The 2008-2009 Opera Season
by Melanie on 17. Oct, 2008 in Arts and Culture, Campania, Destinations, Festivals and Events, Lazio, Lombardy, Milan, Naples, Rome, Sicily, Veneto, Venice
Although many cities in Italy incorporate opera events as part of their summer festivals, the opera season typically begins in the fall and runs through spring. According to UK’s Italy Magazine, this year’s opera offerings are expected to excite, with Milan’s La Scala staging an opulent Aida; Rome’s Teatro dell’Opera performing Aida and La Traviata, [...]
Really Cheap Real Estate in Sicily
by Melanie on 11. Sep, 2008 in Accommodations, Destinations, Italy News, Sicily
Here’s your chance to buy a really cheap house in Italy. According to Italy Magazine, the Sicilian town of Salemi is selling homes in the town’s historic center which have been ravaged by earthquakes for the fair price of €1. The catch? Buyers must restore the homes “sympathetically” within two years. Salemi (see this place [...]
What’s On in Italy: September 2008
by Melanie on 05. Sep, 2008 in Campania, Destinations, Emilia-Romagna, Festivals and Events, Florence, Food and Wine, Le Marche, Lombardy, Milan, Naples, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, Venice
Hard to believe it’s September again! Here’s a rundown for the beginning of the fall – a marvelous time to be in Italy! Time for Wine! One of the reasons it’s so great to travel in Italy in the fall is for all of the wine sampling to be done. Oenological Week in Montefalco, Umbria, which [...]
Get Cooking On Your Italy Vacation
by Melanie on 29. Jul, 2008 in Arts and Culture, Destinations, Emilia-Romagna, Food and Wine, Schools and Study, Sicily, Tuscany, Veneto, Venice
I am now catching up on summer magazine reading and just came across Gourmet’s May issue, which has tons of information on cooking schools in Italy and elsewhere. So, I wanted to give you the lowdown on the schools I found in the magazine as well as a couple others I’ve read about in the [...]
Italy Article Round-Up
by Melanie on 16. Jul, 2008 in Bologna, Campania, Capri, Destinations, Driving Tours, Emilia-Romagna, Family Travel, Florence, Food and Wine, Lazio, Naples, Out and About, Piemonte, Rome, Sicily, Specialty Travel, Travel Articles, Tuscany, Veneto, Venice
In case you missed these recent articles on travel to Italy… New York Times Sicily, Through the Eyes of the Leopard The Washington Post See Naples…And Eat Sydney Morning Herald Ready for Super-Bol (A Search for the Best Ragu in Bologna) Los Angeles Times Exploring Sun-Splashed Venice’s City Squares The Guardian (UK) Instant Weekend…Turin The [...]
Spain Conquers Italy
by Melanie on 23. Jun, 2008 in Campania, Destinations, Emilia-Romagna, Featured Articles, Lombardy, Milan, Naples, Sardinia, Sicily
Large parts of Italy were once united under the Spanish flag, with conquests in Naples and Sicily by the houses of Aragon and Bourbon, among others. Even Milan and Parma were under Spanish rule at one point. I confess that I am not an expert on Spain’s influence on Italy, so you may want to [...]
Italy Summer Article Round-Up 2008
by Melanie on 21. Jun, 2008 in Accommodations, Amalfi Coast, Campania, Capri, Destinations, Emilia-Romagna, Florence, Lazio, Le Marche, Lombardy, Milan, Out and About, Parks and Nature, Rome, Sardinia, Shopping, Sicily, Travel Articles, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, Venice
Lots of Italy-related articles this time of year. So, here goes: New York Times Wandering Beyond Classic Rome (The Frugal Traveler Does Europe on a Budget) On Venice’s Grand Canal in a Kayak Prescription Med (Ischia) Los Angeles Times Exploring Rome’s Famous Seven Hills Budget Travel in Rome 10 Books and Movies to Prep for [...]
Free Airfare to Italy with Perillo Tours
by Melanie on 28. Apr, 2008 in Bologna, Deals and Packages, Destinations, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Rome, Sicily
My friend Jessica over at Italy Logue found this (pretty) great deal from Perillo Tours this summer. Here’s the gist: In order to take advantage of the (admittedly generous) free airfare offer, you have to fly from New York’s JFK into Rome, Bologna or Palermo. You have to fly on EuroFly airlines. The flight must [...]
Welcome to Italofile!
Hi! I'm Melanie Renzulli. I've been writing about travel to Italy for over a decade and on this blog since 2006. Find me on Twitter and Facebook for travel tips, Italy news, and more. Read more About Italofile or Contact Me.
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A Year in Italy Video Giveaway
12. May, 2010
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Five Favorites: Italian Words
15. Jan, 2010
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Favorite Italian Words: The Sequel
29. Apr, 2010
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An Italian Wedding
25. May, 2010
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iPhone Apps for the Italophile
13. Mar, 2010
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Romantic Hotels in Tuscany
18. Aug, 2010
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Scenic Drive on the Amalfi Coast
12. Aug, 2010
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A Bribe-Free Holiday in Sicily
13. Jul, 2010
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Five Favorites: The Amalfi Coast
07. Jul, 2010
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‘An Irreverent Curiosity’ – An Interview with David Farley
06. Jul, 2010
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Riccardo: I was in Italy last year to visit my family...it w...
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Lisa at Wanderlust Weddings: Hi Melanie and thanks for having me share my favor...
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TERESA CRETELLA: HELLO AGAIN LAURA, I CONTACTED YOU A COUPLE OF ...
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Sadye Carnovale: Nice article you've got here. Will keep coming rea...
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Garden Canopies: What theme are you using on your site ? I like the...
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My Articles
- 'An Irreverent Curiosity' Book Review
- 48 Hours in Rome
- A Visit to the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence
- Babble Best: Tuscany with Kids
- BootsnAll's WhyGo Italy Interview
- Families in Business: The Recipe for Success
- Florence Campanile
- Free Things to Do in Milan
- Italofile: TravelBlogSites.com Page of the Day
- National Geographic Intelligent Travel Blog: The Little Train That Could…Be a World Heritage Site
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, Italy
- Profile of Florence's Duomo
- Relics in Rome
- The Capitoline Museums, Rome
- The Squares of Florence
- Top Museums in Rome
- Top Museums in Venice
- Top Places in Rome for a Photo Op
- Travel Channel: World's Best Nude Beaches
- What to See at the Uffizi Gallery
- When to Go to Rome
- Where to Shop in Rome
Recognition
- BootsnAll's WhyGo Italy Interview
- Eye on Italy Podcast: Premier Episode
- Italofile: TravelBlogSites.com Page of the Day
- Italy Magazine Blog of the Week
- Jason Fuller Design
- Lonely Planet Twitter Contest Winner
- Sensual Treats – All Italy Issue
- Travel Tips: Vacation in Italy
- Woo Themes Showcase – Canvas Theme








