Finally Ferrara: Postcard From a City That Called Me Back
Ferrara is a gorgeous little city in Emilia-Romagna known for its Renaissance walls and palaces, the Castello Estense, and its rich Jewish heritage.
Five Favorite Flavors From Ferrara and Modena
To ring in the New Year, my family and I rented a farmhouse for a few days on the outskirts of Ferrara. Thinking back to the trip, the timing wasn’t ideal. Ferrara was freezing and on New Year’s Eve, the fog was so thick on our drive into town to watch the fireworks over Castello…
Who Was Saint Valentine?
Saint Valentine, a Christian bishop from Umbria, was martyred in Rome in the 3rd century AD. Learn more about his life, death, and legend.
Ancient Ruins, Virtual Reality: Archaeological Sites Embrace VR For Enhanced Experiences
The Domus Aurea, also known as Nero’s Golden Palace, is the latest attraction to offer visitors the chance to wear virtual reality headsets while touring the site.
More Than A Mocha: Turin’s Sweet, Rich Bicerin
The bicerin is an important part of the coffee culture in Torino (Turin). Learn more about the bicerin.
Italy’s Alpini Corps: The Traditions Beyond the Feathered Cap
The grey felt cap adorned with a black raven feather worn by old northern Italian men and some modern-day camouflaged troops is known as the Cappello Alpino. This recognizable cap signifies that the wearer is or was a member of the Alpini, an elite corps of the Italian army that is most closely associated with…
Best Places to Kiss in Rome
Before I tell you about the best places to kiss in Rome, you’ve got to really want to kiss and be kissed.
Palermo, Sicily: 2018 Italian Capital of Culture
Congratulations to the city of Palermo, which has been awarded the distinction of Italian Capital of Culture for 2018. The Italian Culture Ministry (Ministero di Beni Culturali) awards the prize each year in an effort to promote tourism. Along with the distinction, the winning city receives 1 million euro which is to be used to…
New App Wants to Protect ‘Made in Italy’ Brand By Helping Consumers Spot Fakes
The “Made in Italy” brand is one of the world’s most recognized and coveted labels. Given this cachet, many manufacturers have tried over the years to pass off everything from olive oil to handbags as authentic Italian products.
Rome’s Museums On A Metro Map
Rome is often called an outdoor museum. But the capital also has dozens of museums to explore, not only in the Centro Storico but beyond the walls. Helping us locate all of these museums and galleries is a new map showing Rome’s museums as they relate to metro stops.
Five Lessons Learned While Living and Traveling in Italy
Reflection is part of the prescription for moving from one year into the next. So while I wanted to write a year-end round-up a month ago, I realized that such an article would not fully capture the joys, sorrows, and idiosyncrasies of being an expat resident and traveler in Italy. Five is an arbitrary number,…
Best Places to Live in Italy: The Quality of Life Index 2017
Considering a move to Italy? The annual quality of life index will provide you a starter checklist of factors to keep in mind.
For the First Time in More Than 20 Years, the Facade of St. Mark’s Basilica is Scaffold-Free
With so many ancient structures in need of constant upkeep, Italy is no stranger to scaffolding. Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica, in particular, is known for constantly being under repair.
Rome’s Ancient Pantheon to Begin Charging Admission — Wait, No It Won’t
Update, December 2018: Local authorities changed tack and decided NOT to impose an entry fee to the Pantheon. For now.
The Atlas of Ancient Rome: Your New Favorite Coffee Table Book
The Atlas of Ancient Rome, a gorgeous, new two-volume set edited by Andrea Carandini, promises to be an “authoritative archeological survey of Rome from prehistory to the early medieval period.” The slip-cased set is available now.
Palazzo Colonna: A Hidden Palace in the Heart of Rome [Review]
This palace in the heart of Rome, where a scene from Roman Holiday was filmed, is worth a detour
How Dario Fo Learned That He Won the Nobel Prize
The 1997 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature passed away on October 13, 2016.
Italy’s First Wine Fountain Opens in Abruzzo — and the Wine is Free
Wine lovers have a fun new reason to make a trip to Abruzzo.
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