Recent Posts

History

Italy 01: During Prehistory

  The Italy of today is vastly different from the land our early ancestors discovered, back in the early Paleolithic Age. The ice ages had left exposed vast tracts of land now submerged under the sea. The very first people to settle in what is now known as Italy arrived […]

Italian Food

The Precious Tomato

Tomato: its history in Europe Italian tomatoes   Without a doubt, there are millions of dishes where the tomato is one of the main ingredients, or where it is used as a base for recipes. It could be for its color and flavor, or for its versatility. And heaven knows what a long way has […]

Liguria

Liguria, Cinque Terre I

Most first-time travelers to Italy expect to see an ancient, quaint country, just like the places they read about in history books or see in movies. Oftentimes, the place they picture has been taken over by busy streets and modern living. Visitors of the Coliseum in Rome can’t help but […]

Umbria

La Scarzuola

  Think of the quaint Umbrian countryside: cookie-cutter-perfect and almost painfully stereotypical of what rural Italy is supposed to look like. Not a criticism, mind, just a matter-of-fact statement to remind ourselves sometimes too much exposure can, indeed, be detrimental. Yes, because we often become guilty of trivializing beauty when we […]

Travel Destinations

Naturist Beaches in Italy

Italy is considered to be a popular destination known for some interesting tourist spots including religious institutions with its deep Catholic roots. However, the majority of the population in Italy have much more open views about expressing their sexuality. Hence, you will be able to find nudist or naturist beaches […]

History

Italian Secret Societies

In recent years secret societies have gained cachet with the general public. From Yale’s Skull and Bones to the Freemasons and the Knights Templar, movies and literature have been rife with these groups. Taking into account Italy’s rich and varied history it is not a surprise that the country has […]

History

A very short history of Rome

The year 753 BC marked the beginning of Rome, which would dominate the western world for centuries: politically until the fall of its western Empire in 476 AD, culturally and artistically, under many points of view, still influencing western culture today.   The Capitoline She-Wolf, symbol of Rome (wikimedia)   The traditional […]