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Potpourri

Tourist spending boosts New Year sales

  (By Sandra Cordon). (ANSA) – Rome, January 2 2015   While Italian businesses said free-spending tourists will help to boost traditional January retail sales events, consumer groups warned that families are too tapped out after years of recessions to shop. The semi-annual sales started in two southern regions, Basilicata […]

Culture

Italian Culture

Leonardo’s Helicopter   When it comes to culture and the arts, there is not a field in which Italy has not exercised a profound influence. From music to literature, from architecture to visual arts and sculpture, from medicine to natural sciences and technology, the history of Italy has shown the […]

Rome

Rome in a Nutshell

Travel Diary Rome 2011, July They say that there are certain sense memories we carry with us throughout our lives. I always thought that was a beautiful idea, however, it had never happened to me. At least, not until I returned to Italy. We were on the train, looking through […]

brindisi
Puglia

Brindisi

Brindisi by night from the sea   There is something about a beach, a harbor, and the coastline in general that fills you with freshness and a sense of awe. If you throw in a peak at a sunrise or sunset, then you are doing even better. If you are in the […]

Travel Diary

Relics

A Fictional Tale Inspired by a Stay in Italy   “Do you think his whole arm bone is in there or just a piece of it?” Mom whispered to Sara, as she stared intently at the object in the glass display case. Sara stifled a sigh. Bones. The Medici Chapel in […]

fermo
Le-marche

Fermo

The quaint town of Fermo, Italy in the central Italian region of le Marche, is known for its fantastic location, immersed in the area’s outstanding landscape. It is also known for the remains of its defensive walls, still visible within its boundaries. Fermo sits atop the Sabulo hill, 319 meters above sea level, a […]

FAVIGNANA
Sicily

Favignana, Sicily

Cala Rossa, beautiful beach in Favignana, Sicily Ph. depositphoto/chrupka Favignana is a butterfly shaped island considered to be the largest among the Egadi. The other main islands of the Aegadian archipelago are Levanzo, Marettimo, Maraone and Formica. This island is located in the midst of the Mediterranean Sea and is at […]

wood handicraft
Culture

Italian Handicraft: Wood and Metal

  Giuseppe’s shop, where he makes by hand baskets and other stuff In Omignano, in the heart of the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano, you’ll find the workshop of Giuseppe Giuliani, who creates hand-made baskets of various types, ropes, mats, fans, hats, necklaces, slingshots, troccole (popular musical instruments that are […]

sarteano
Tuscany

Sarteano, Tuscany

Sarteano, Tuscany Ph. depositphoto.com/clodio The historical center of Sarteano is a labyrinth of little streets and alleyways, huddling together at the base of the medieval castle, originally built in 1038. The views from the castle are spectacular. You will see the landscapes of Val di Chiana, Monte Cetona and the […]