Recent Posts

Skiing

Arabba Ski Resort

Arabba was already one of Italy’s most popular resorts, but surely got some help when it joined the ski area known as The Sella Ronda. It’s an historical village, but with all the modern facilities of a purpose-built resort. The Arabba ski resort is located at the base of Sella […]

Skiing

Italian Ski Resorts

Italy is normally overshadowed as a ski destination by the better known ski resorts of France, Switzerland and Austria, but the Italians have a superb selection of their own resorts and are perhaps happy to keep their skiing secrets to themselves.

welcome to 2019
Humor

Welcome to 2021

English and Italian Jokes for 2021 TI RENDI CONTO CHE STAI PER VIVERE NEL 2021 QUANDO… 1. Per sbaglio inserisci la password nel microonde. 2. Sono anni che non giochi a solitario con carte vere. 3. Hai una lista di 15 numeri di telefono per contattare i tuoi 5 familiari. […]

italian civil weddings
Weddings

Civil Weddings

Civil ceremonies celebrated in Italy are legally recognized everywhere else in the world, US included. They usually take place in Town Halls, but there is a certain freedom to choose whichever location you set your eyes upon, provided it has been recognized by Italian civil authorities as apt for the scope. […]

Tuscany

Itinerary in San Gimignano and Volterra

San Gimignano and Volterra are two Tuscan hill towns, physically close to each other, but very different. You might consider travelling first to Volterra and then on to San Gimignano, planning to arrive there about 5 PM. San Gimignano hosts a LOT of tourists during the day but most of […]

mc donald italy
Italian Food

McDonald’s and the disputed spot

A spot by McDonald’s caused much debate in Italy back in 2015. In the spot a family is at a pizzeria; while waiting for the parents – who look very much undecided – to make their choice, the waiter asks their child which pizza he would like to have. To it, he promptly replies “A Happy Meal”. The camera […]

violin
Classical Music

About a Violin

Just two fiddles in a case. That’s how an old friend described the rare Cremonese violins he had just seen on their way from one recital to another. Together, they are worth in the low 8 figures, so I can’t help wondering what their maker, Guarneri del Gesù, a solitary, ailing man […]

opera
Music

Opera

Italy: A Music Lover’s Paradise The first time I stayed in Rome for an extended visit, I had the opportunity to hang out with an American expat who had an apartment in Trastevere. The neighborhood there was very working-class and family-oriented, and the multi-storied apartment building wrapped around a courtyard. […]

archaeological area of agrigento
Sicily

Archaeological Area of Agrigento

Agrigento is located in the region of Sicily and was once one of the great cities of the ancient world. Founded in the 6th century BC as a Greek colony known as Akragas, the city was added to the UNESCO World Heritage site list in 1997 thanks to its rich archeological remains. Many ancient […]