ITALIA MIA, ITALY AND ITALIAN CULTURE

An English-language magazine about Italian culture, travel, people and products, written with an Italian perspective

Read our Latest Articles about Italy and Italian Culture

Biographies

Jannik Sinner: Career, Grand Slam Titles and Italian Tennis Legacy

From South Tyrol to world No. 1, Jannik Sinner has reshaped Italian tennis. Read about his Grand Slam victories, career milestones and Davis Cup success.

Living in Italy

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in Italy: Traditions, Closures and What Travelers Should Know

November 1 is a national holiday in Italy; November 2 is a day of remembrance. Here is how both dates affect traditions, opening hours and travel plans.

Gifts & Books

10 Italian Novels to Read Next

From Elena Ferrante and Umberto Eco to Andrea Camilleri and Paolo Cognetti, these ten Italian novels offer a starting point for every kind of reader.

Living in Italy

Italy in the EU: Economy, Education, Tourism and Quality of Life Compared

Italy combines strong tourism and long life expectancy with lower employment and salaries than the EU average. This updated comparison explains the figures and what they mean for everyday life.

Italy in Pictures

Best Italy Calendars for 2027: Wall Calendars & Gifts

Explore a selection of Italy calendars featuring inspiring photographs of Italian cities, landscapes and landmarks. Find wall calendars for your home, office or as a gift for anyone who loves Italy.

Gifts & Books

10 Italian Literary Classics to Read at Least Once

A reader-friendly route through ten Italian classics, with notes on translations, complete editions, and choosing your first book.

Italian Movies

8½ (Otto e mezzo): Fellini Turns a Creative Crisis into Cinema

A director cannot find his next film, and Fellini turns his crisis into one of cinema’s most inventive stories. Here is a guide to 8½, from its cast and awards to where you can watch or buy it.

Italian Cinema

Ritornato: Michael Cavalieri’s Return to His Sicilian Roots

Michael Cavalieri is an actor, writer and director whose film, RITORNATO, was recently chosen for a grant by the National Italian American Foundation.

Italian Movies

The Leopard (Il Gattopardo): Visconti’s Sicilian Epic of Power and Change

Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard follows a Sicilian prince confronting a changing Italy. A guide to its story, cast, awards, locations, different versions and viewing options.

Italian Movies

Cinema Paradiso: Sicily, Memory and a Lifelong Love of Movies

Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso brings together Sicily, childhood, friendship and the love of movies. Read about its story, awards, filming locations, different versions and viewing options.

Gifts & Books

10 Italy Travel Books Worth Packing or Reading Before You Go

Choose an Italy guidebook that fits your route, then find a travel memoir or collection of essays to bring the journey to life.

Cuisine

Mediterranean Diet and Diabetes: Practical Advice for Healthy Eating

A Mediterranean eating pattern can support diabetes management. Here is what to know about portions, carbohydrates, honey, and wine.

Nature & Outdoors

Walking in Italy: Five Scenic Hiking Routes and How to Plan Them

From Tuscany’s pilgrim paths to the Tre Cime circuit, plan five memorable Italian walks with realistic timings, access guidance and official trail resources.

Italian Food & Drink

Italian Cookies and Biscotti: What to Try and How to Choose

Italian biscotti include much more than twice-baked almond cookies. Learn the differences between cantucci, amaretti, ricciarelli and everyday breakfast biscuits, plus what to check when buying online.

Gifts & Books

10 Books for Teens Set in Italy or Inspired by Its History

Travel through Italy in ten books for teens: historical mysteries, Renaissance fiction, a Shakespeare classic, wartime survival and contemporary romance.

Gifts & Books

10 Biographies of Italians Who Changed Art, Politics, and Ideas

Read beyond the famous names with ten biographies spanning Italian art, politics, education, industry, and literature.

Cuisine

Fast Food in Italy: Changing Eating Habits and What Obesity Data Really Show

Fast food chains are expanding in Italy, but their growth alone does not explain obesity. A closer look at official data, food choices and public policy.

Biographies

Dario Fo: A Century of Theatre, Satire and Life with Franca Rame

One hundred years after Dario Fo’s birth, his fearless theatre still speaks to the present. Follow his life, landmark plays and enduring creative partnership with Franca Rame.

Plan Your Trip

Why an eSIM Makes Traveling in Italy Easier: A Practical Guide to Staying Connected

A travel eSIM can put maps, tickets, messages, and bookings within reach as soon as you arrive in Italy. Here is how it works, when it makes financial sense, and what to check before buying.

People

The Richest Italian Singers, Actors and TV Personalities

From Maria De Filippi and Gerry Scotti to Vasco Rossi, Andrea Bocelli, Roberto Benigni and Laura Pausini, we examine the fortunes behind some of Italy's biggest entertainment names — and explain why celebrity net-worth estimates are often misleading.

Unexpected Italy: Stories from My Recent Travels

A Venetian Memory: Venice, Murano and the Magic of Glass

A nostalgic journey through Venice and Murano with a friend, staying on the Lido, getting lost in Venice, visiting the Cenedese glass foundry, and bringing home two beautiful pieces of Murano glass.

Italian Movies

Rocco and His Brothers: Visconti’s Powerful Portrait of Family and a Changing Italy

Luchino Visconti’s Rocco and His Brothers follows a southern Italian family seeking a new life in Milan. Here is why its powerful drama still matters, with cast, awards and viewing options.

Art, Décor & Collectibles

Muranonet: A Guide to Murano Glass Art, Jewelry and Venetian Gifts

My guide to Muranonet connects Murano glass with its Venetian heritage, covering the store’s main collections, gift ideas, authenticity documentation and practical buying advice.

Nature & Outdoors

Shore Fishing in Sicily: Locations, Bait, Equipment and Rules

A practical guide to shore fishing in Sicily, covering coastal geography, realistic catches, bait, equipment, local guides and fishing requirements.

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT, HOTEL, CAR IN ITALY WITH EXPEDIA

Discover Italy with Italia Mia

Italia Mia is an online magazine about Italy, Italian culture and everyday Italian life. Whether you are planning a journey, researching your Italian heritage, considering a move or simply fascinated by the country, you will find practical information and original articles written for an international audience.

Plan Your Journey Through Italy

Explore our Italy travel guides for inspiring destinations, suggested itineraries, transportation advice, hotels, museums and practical planning tips. Our Italian regions section travels across all 20 regions—from celebrated destinations such as Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia and Veneto to less familiar corners of Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. We look beyond the famous landmarks to introduce historic towns, beaches, mountain landscapes, archaeological sites and local traditions. Whether you want to travel through Italy by train, plan a road trip or choose the best base for a longer stay, Italia Mia can help you experience the country more confidently.

Experience Italian Culture, Food and Creativity

Italy’s identity has been shaped by centuries of art, architecture, cinema, music, literature and craftsmanship. Our Italian culture articles explore these subjects through accessible guides, detailed biographies and stories about the people and ideas that influenced Italy and the wider world. Discover the masters of Italian art, the directors and actors of Italian cinema, the traditions of Italian music and the regional dishes featured in our Italian food and cuisine section.

Living in Italy

Italy is not only a destination—it is also home. Our practical guides to living in Italy cover visas, residency, employment, healthcare, housing, taxes, retirement, bureaucracy and the real cost of everyday life. They are designed for expats, retirees, dual citizens, digital nomads and anyone considering a permanent or temporary move. You can also meet the artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers and public figures who have shaped the country in our collection of Italian biographies.

Italy Today and the Best of Made in Italy

Follow Italian news in English for selected headlines, useful context and links to authoritative sources. For Italian design, fashion and craftsmanship, browse our Italian shopping guides featuring established brands and distinctive products made or designed in Italy. From ancient Rome to contemporary Italian life, Italia Mia brings together the destinations, traditions, people and ideas that make Italy endlessly fascinating. Benvenuti—welcome to Italia Mia.