See also: Southern Italy Regional Food Northern Italy Regional Food Regional food: Introduction Much of what the rest of the world considers Italian food hails from the central regions of Italy. Velvety smooth olive oils, world-famous cheeses, savory cured meats and rich tomato sauces grace the tables of the […]
In almost every authentic Tuscan garden one can find an ancient Mulberry (or ‘Gelso‘ or ‘Moro’) tree, with a large canopy and very thick, gnarled trunk. This curious tree can grow for eighty to a hundred years or more and in Tuscany the mulberry’s large canopy is always pruned drastically […]
When going to Italy during the summer, some ‘seasonal’ terms can turn out to be quite useful for those who want to plunge into Italian culture, as well as into the deep blue Italian sea. By doing so, you’ll be able to get familiar with local culture through language, and […]
Italian wild plants and herbs Nothing evokes the coming of Spring more than the scent of wild flowers and plants. About a year ago, I happened to drive to my grandparents’ village for the first time during Spring in decades. Here, in the lovely, mellow rolling hills of the Alessandria province, […]
How to Use Iris Flowers in Italy Members of the Iris family (Iridaceae) have sprung from almost every country- and every corner of this world can boast at having its own variety. But surely for most it must be Italy that springs to mind as the month of April arrives, […]
The history of Rome is closely tied to its military history. As a fledgling nation, Rome’s military was disorganized and sporadic, only being brought together as it became necessary. With time, however, the military would become a professional war machine, with its members fighting for the glory of the state, […]
The Italian expression notte bianca is literally translated in English as ‘white night’ and it usually refers to a sleepless night. It is not a case, then, this term has been chosen to name an event that takes place in almost every part of Italy. Small towns, big towns, […]
Saffron is known especially for being one of the main ingredients of a typical Italian dish, risotto alla Milanese, to which it gives its characteristic yellow color. It is used in other rice dishes, too Navelli in Abruzzo, just south of the National Park of Gran Sasso, is considered […]
Even without an ancient set of ruins to see, a cathedral to visit, or some centuries-old castle to photograph, the sights of Italy away from the sea areas are just as breathtaking as it is on the coastline. So much of the country is filled with rolling hills, mountains, and lush […]
Italian Moths that seem like Hummingbirds I have been asked, time and time again, “What’s that? Is it a hummingbird?” by the guests that come and stay at our holiday houses here in Tuscany. They were all referring to a curious creature that flits, with great speed, from flower to […]
