Tag: Culture

The Padovana chicken, also known as “Padovana dal gran ciuffo” (Padovana chicken with the great tuft), is an unusual breed of chicken found in the province of Padova in northern Italy. This chicken is known for its characteristic crest, with males having a long, curved crest and females having a shorter, more rounded crest. The […]

For most of its history, Consonno, located in the hills of Brianza, in the Lombardy region, was an agricultural town with a population that never surpassed 300 inhabitants. The town has its origins in the Middle Ages, but thanks to its remote location and only one road leading to the town’s entrance, Consonno never truly […]

Italy, a land whose cuisine is known world-wide thanks to gluten-rich staples such as pasta and pizza, is actually quite celiac disease friendly. Nearly one percent of Italians test positive for celiac disease, which is an intolerance for gluten, a protein found in wheat.  This percentage is on par with the global average, so the […]

The south-eastern Sicilian city of Modica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning Baroque architecture.  Along with seven other towns in the Val di Noto, like Ragusa and Catania, Modica was rebuilt in 1693 following a powerful earthquake that devastated the area. The construction after the earthquake resulted in remarkable city planning and […]

In the Italian region of Umbria, fairs are common events and they have a rich history that dates back to medieval times.  The earliest fairs in this area were celebrations of Ognisanti (All Saints Day) at the beginning of November.  These fairs developed into bustling markets that allowed commerce between medieval towns to flourish, and […]

The European Capital of Culture is a title given to a European city for an interval of one year during which the city will organize cultural events showcasing both the city and its role in Europe. Established in 1985, this distinction aims to promote European unity.  The title is an opportunity for European cities to […]

The Shroud of Turin is perhaps one of the most mystical images of all time. It was said to have been the cloth that covered Jesus of Nazareth upon his burial. First noticed in 1898 by a photographer who was shooting pictures of it, it clearly depicts an image of the crucifixion. Due to its […]

Many people travel to Italy to learn how to cook classic Italian recipes. But have you thought about dessert? If you have ever enjoyed gelato, you may wonder how it is made, what the difference is from ice cream and, possibly, how you could start your own business.

An Easter Parade Like No Other Easter is a time to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In the Holy Week before, many customs are followed around the world. But as Good Friday begins, there is nothing so memorable as the “Processione dei Misteri di Trapani” or Procession of the Mysteries […]

How Do You Say Happy Hour In Italian? Aperitivo! Milan is known for many things…fashion, finance, industry, museums and universities. But the second largest city in Italy is also the capital of the Aperitivo.

Many countries have interesting traditions involving folklore, festivals and even living creatures, such as the running of the bulls in Spain. But come to Italy, and you will find the most unique of them all.

An Enchanted Castle That Is Egg-straordinary The power of magic and legend can influence the destiny of an entire city and its people. And so it was, in medieval times in Naples, where a prophecy involving an enchanted egg became a symbol to its citizens of protection against disaster.

Even though the 86th Academy Awards were this last Sunday, native Italians are still celebrating the success of The Great Beauty (2013) By Paolo Sorrentino. The exciting news that The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) won the Academy Award for best foreign language film has been the top story news story in Italy since its […]

Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani, and Maserati….just the names of these manufacturers can leave any car lover salivating. The thought of seeing these cars, touching them, and witnessing just how they are made could drive any enthusiast up the wall. Motor Valley in Emilia Romagna is where these Italian cars and their history can be observed first-hand. […]

On the island of Sardinia, where lively colors and bright festivities are the norm, a ritual of contrasting black and white can seem far from the original tempo of the city. Once a year around the time of Ash Wednesday, Sardinia becomes an island that is bursting with black and white painted faces, grotesque masks, […]

Opera lovers do not miss La Scala opera house in Milan. It is known worldwide for offering some of the best performances and, of course, some of the most genuine Milanese moments. Most of Italy‘s greatest opera artists and many of the finest singers from around the world have appeared at La Scala!

Right in the heart of the beautiful Tuscan region, not far from Siena and only 9 Km from Montalcino, sits the impressive Sant’Antimo Abbey, a must-see for anyone visiting the area. According to a legend, the abbey was founded by Charlemagne in 781 AC after he fell ill nearby and prayed for deliverance. Even though […]

Folklore is a large part of Italy and even more so, in the Apulia region located in what is the heel of Italy’s “boot” shape. In this particular region, folk dances are very popular and have their roots in Ancient Greece. The “Pizzica” is a traditional dance popular throughout the Salentine peninsula along with the […]

The archaeological site of Pompeii is one Italy’s and the world’s most popular tourist destinations. This ancient Roman city was destroyed by the volcanic ashes from a catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius on August 79 A.D. Today, one can see the well preserved remains of a city and its local population that was buried alive, […]

When tourists think of the best place for good coffee in the beautiful nation of Italy, famous towns such as Naples or Rome are often the first to come to mind. These cities, however, are not the only coffee spots in the country. On the opposite side of the peninsula, sharing a border with Slovenia, […]

Every year in the quaint and historic town of Spoleto, located in the Umbria region, one of the most important artistic festivals in the world takes place during the summer months: the “Festival dei Due Mondi,” or Festival of the Two Worlds. This exuberant event was first started in 1958 by composer Gian Carlo Menotti. […]

Italy is a country rich in history, and visitors are able to find historic and archeological sites throughout the land. Even the smaller towns have rich histories, and Aquileia is certainly no exception to this. The town in northern Italy is a perfect destination for an Italian vacation.  This small town is only 35 miles […]

If you think that the word Palio is only associated to the well-known Siena horserace, you will learn that it is not the case after reading this article. According to its Latin origins, the word Palio (from Pallium) refers to the banner or the cloth awarded to the winner of a competition. According to the […]

Have you ever climbed up and down a thousand steps in a narrow staircase? Have you ever been to the place where some of the world’s finest violins come from? Have you ever tasted sweet and delicious nougat? If you can answer yes to at least at one of these questions then you know this […]