News
Here you will find the latest headlines about Italy, particularly news related to travel and tourism in the country. I would love to have the discipline to update this daily. Instead, I only get around to highlighting this story or that one. To supplement the Italy news you learn from these posts, check out my go-to sources Corriere della Sera (in Italian) and, in English, The Local Italy.
Bringing Home the Best from Italy
It’s one thing to go to Italy and bring back photos, cheap souvenirs, and designer clothing that you could have bought at just about any department store or outlet. It’s quite another to bring back items that Italy is known for – quality leather, handmade paper, artisan chocolate, etc. That’s why I really like…
“Palladio” in DC
As part of Italy’s celebrations of the birth of architect Andrea Palladio, born 500 years ago this year, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC, are hosting a free screening of “Abitare Palladio,” a documentary about the man and his works. The film will be shown tomorrow April 4 at noon in…
Italian Villas and Their Gardens
Just in time for late spring and summer romps around Italy comes the reissue of Edith Wharton’s 1904 landscaping classic Italian Villas and Their Gardens.
Gastronomic Tour of Emilia Romagna
You can eat well just about anywhere in Italy. But Italians know that Italy’s culinary heart lies in Emilia-Romagna. Lasagna, tortellini, premium balsamic vinegar from Modena, Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, mortadella — all of these scrumptious items (and more) come from Emilia-Romagna. That’s why epicures who want to get the most out of a visit to…
Roman Forum: No Longer Free
Update: Admission to the Roman Forum is included in the combined ticket for the Parco Colosseo Archeological Area Well, it was fun while it lasted. According to the folks at Dream of Italy and Tony Polzer from 3 Milennia Tours, the Roman Forum will begin to charge admission as of March 9th. Tony lays out…
From Mafia Villa to Agriturismo
This one comes from the U.K.’s Italy Magazine, which tells us that the Corleone villa of former Mafia boss Salvatore Riina has been turned into farmstay housing, a.k.a., an agriturismo. The Pio La Torre Cooperative, named for a martyred anti-Mafia activist, belonged to Riina before it was seized by the State after his 1993 capture.…
Italy’s UNESCO Heritage Sites On Display at Rome Photo Exhibit
So, you’ve made it all the way to Rome but wish your vacation time allowed you to visit the other UNESCO Heritage Sites in Italy? Have no fear! According to the U.K.’s Italy Magazine, an exhibit of 120 photographs of Italy’s heritage sites will be on display at the Central National Library. The exhibition will…
Book Talk: Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’
In case you missed it yesterday, WAMU-NPR’s Diane Rehm hosted a one-hour book talk on The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. If you need a refresher on this classic, want to hear new perspectives, or simply are interested in learning more about this “classic treatise on leadership and power,” you can listen to the show above…
