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.
Francesco Guccini: Songs, Stories and the Voice of a Generation
From “Auschwitz” and “La locomotiva” to his novels and memories of Pàvana, Francesco Guccini gave generations of Italians songs to sing, question and remember.
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.
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.
Renato Zero: The Singer Who Turned Difference into an Italian Institution
From Rome’s Piper club to the Zerolandia tent and decades of arena shows, Renato Zero built a singular Italian career. Explore the music, friendships and performances behind the legend.
The Naples We Found Beyond the Grotta di Seiano
A long gallery through the Posillipo hillside led us to one of the most memorable places a local friend showed us in Naples: the ruins of a Roman villa overlooking the coast.
Santa Margherita Ligure: A Day That Needed No Itinerary
I drove to Santa Margherita Ligure for a day of good food and time by the sea. The harbour, the centre and a slow afternoon made an itinerary unnecessary.
Two Days in Bolsena: Between Friends and the Lake
A two-day visit to friends becomes an introduction to Bolsena’s volcanic lake, medieval fortress, Basilica of Santa Cristina and the smaller lakeside towns of Marta and Capodimonte.
Cremona Beyond the Violin: A Walk Through History, Art and Food
Cremona is known throughout the world for Stradivari, but the violin is only the beginning. A visit reveals one of Lombardy’s finest medieval squares, an ambitious frescoed cathedral, the 112-meter Torrazzo, important paintings and the distinctive cooking of the Po Valley.
Apella: The Lunigiana Village That Became a Hotel
In the chestnut woods of Lunigiana, Apella has been revived through a scattered-hotel model. Its restored apartments, panoramic pool, bicycles and celebrated La Torre restaurant make the village a destination in itself, with Bagnone close enough for an easy excursion.
Two Days in Padova: Giotto and the City Beyond the Chapel
A two-day visit to Padova with three friends begins with Giotto’s extraordinary Scrovegni Chapel and continues through arcaded streets, market squares, the university quarter, the Basilica of Saint Anthony and Prato della Valle.
From Viareggio to Fiumalbo: A Day Across the Apennines
A morning on the coast becomes an afternoon in a medieval mountain village on a day trip from Viareggio, through Bagni di Lucca and Abetone, to Fiumalbo.
A Day in Verona Beyond the Balcony
A day on foot with two friends reveals a Verona that is more convincing than its romantic reputation: Roman stone, medieval squares, the Adige and the quieter moments between major attractions.
Portovenere: Where the Road Ends at the Gulf of Poets
At the end of Portovenere, the striped Church of San Pietro stands directly above the Ligurian Sea. This personal journey through the Gulf of Poets explores a less hurried alternative to the Cinque Terre, along with the real history and enduring legends of Byron, Shelley and the writers drawn to this coast.
Rome and I Share the Same Birthday
Rome and I share April 21 as a birthday. During four nights with friends, the Vatican, Forum, Trastevere and intimate trattoria dinners revealed a city whose beauty can overwhelm without ever separating itself from ordinary life.
Umbria Between Friends and Stone Cities
Traveling through Umbria by car with Cristian, I stayed at UNICA Assisi, shared dinner with friends on a terrace near Perugia, and spent the next day discovering the very different characters of Gubbio and Assisi.
The Road Through the Maremma to Saturnia
Three friends leave the Tuscan coast after Follonica, cross the open landscape of the Maremma and stay at Agriturismo Il Torrione before experiencing the thermal pools of Saturnia.
Getting Lost in Genoa Was the Best Part
After visiting the Genoa Aquarium with a friend, I followed the old streets toward San Lorenzo and took a wrong turn. What followed—a small shop, a plate of farinata and a local conversation—showed me a Genoa I would have missed on the direct route.
The Song I Heard on the Walls of Lucca
My grandfather came from Lucca, and every return to the city carries an unexplained sense of recognition. After browsing the men’s clothing shops on Via Fillungo, I climbed to the walls and heard a local guitarist working on a song that did not yet have a name.
What Happened After I Left the Leaning Tower
After visiting the Leaning Tower, I kept walking through Pisa’s university streets, market square and riverfront—and found the working city hidden in plain sight beyond Piazza dei Miracoli.
Milan Fashion Week September 2026: Full Program, Designers, Debuts and Latest News
The complete guide to Milan Fashion Week September 2026, with daily runway highlights, major creative changes, opening-day news, public viewing advice and well-located hotels for the Spring/Summer 2027 shows.
The Beach I Had Almost to Myself
Staying at a friend’s house in Santa Maria Coghinas gave four friends access to the quieter coast between Badesi, Valledoria and Castelsardo. On a nearly empty beach, a sudden change in the wind turned a lazy afternoon into an unexpected encounter with a local fisherman.
Florence After We Left the Crowds Behind
Cristian and I expected a familiar day among Florence’s famous monuments. The trip became more memorable after we crossed the Arno and found a quieter, working city beyond the heaviest crowds.
The Day the Marble Mountain Stopped Us
A simple August day trip from the hot Tuscan coast led to cool air at Campocecina, lunch at the Belvedere and an unexpected stop on a working quarry road before I reached Colonnata to buy its famous lardo.
The Night Bologna Became a Concert Hall
I spent three autumn nights at a B&B in Bologna, walking between Piazza Maggiore, Santo Stefano and the university district. The defining moment came after dinner, when four musicians beneath the porticoes turned an ordinary passage into a temporary concert hall.
Chocolate, Rain and an Unexpected Turin
I arrived in Turin expecting elegance, order and a certain reserve. During two nights with a friend, the Egyptian Museum, the city’s shops and a small market in Piazza Vittorio filled the itinerary. But it was rain, chocolate and an ordinary conversation in a historic café that changed my impression of the city.
The Milan I Found After the Shops Closed
A three-night trip to Milan becomes the final stop before a friend returns to the United States. Beyond the Duomo and fashion district, the city reveals its more personal character after working hours.
Music Across Lake Garda
A short drive from Cremona becomes a two-day journey through the towns of southern Lake Garda. After visiting Desenzano and Sirmione, music carried across the old harbor creates the memory that outlasts every planned stop.
Above the Clouds in the Aosta Valley
Four male friends use Aosta as a base for castles and mountain valleys. In Val Ferret, a sudden July storm forces them into shelter, where food and conversation replace the afternoon itinerary.
The Stranger Who Changed My Day in Sicily
Sicily, Catania, Pachino, Scicli, Marzamemi, Portopalo di Capo Passero, Isola delle Correnti, Sicily road trip, southern Sicily, travel stories, unexpected Italy
The Wedding I Was Never Invited To
Four male friends stop in Cisternino during a road trip through Puglia and unexpectedly become guests at a local wedding. What begins with a drink in the square turns into dinner, dancing and a lesson in how hospitality really works.
Naples on Foot: From Spaccanapoli to the Quartieri Spagnoli
Arriving in Naples by train, a small group of friends crosses the historic center on foot, visiting famous churches, streets and neighborhoods without forcing the experience into a romantic travel story.
Best Italian Cookbooks for Regional Italian Cooking
Build a more authentic Italian cookbook collection with regional recommendations covering Sicily, Tuscany, Naples and Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Rome and general Italian cuisine.
10 More Italian Brands to Shop on Amazon: Kitchenware, Design and Everyday Style
From pasta machines and espresso makers to copper cookware, porcelain and notebooks, these ten Italian brands bring distinctive design and practical products to Amazon shoppers.
Authentic Italian Pantry Staples You Can Buy in America
Learn how to recognize and buy authentic Italian pantry staples in the United States, with practical label-reading advice and recommended Italian pasta, tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, rice, coffee and more.
How to Build an Italian Gift Basket with Amazon Products
Create a more authentic Italian gift basket with coordinated Amazon products, practical shopping advice and four ready-to-use themes for coffee drinkers, home cooks, regional-food lovers and Italian-American families.
Amazon.com vs Amazon.it: Which Amazon Store Should Americans Use?
Amazon.it can provide access to Italian-market products unavailable in the United States, but international shipping, import charges, returns and compatibility can outweigh the apparent savings. This guide compares Amazon.com and Amazon.it and explains which marketplace Americans should use in different situations.
Italian Kitchen Essentials: 20 Products Italians Actually Use
The best Italian kitchens rely on simple, durable tools. This practical guide explains 20 essentials, what each one does, what to look for and which products are worth buying first.
Best Italian Gifts Under $50: 22 Affordable Ideas for Food, Coffee and Design Lovers
These affordable Italian gift ideas bring together useful kitchen tools, classic coffee products, regional foods, books and compact design objects. Each suggestion includes practical buying advice and an Amazon.com link for US shoppers.
Puglia, Sicily or Sardinia: Which Southern Italian Destination Is Right for You?
Should you choose Puglia, Sicily or Sardinia? This practical comparison explains which destination is best for beaches, history, food, road trips, families, car-free travel and different vacation lengths, with sample one-week itineraries for each.
Planning a Trip to Italy in 2027: When to Book Flights, Hotels and Attractions
Plan your 2027 Italy vacation with a realistic booking timeline for international flights, hotels, high-speed trains, rental cars and popular attractions. The guide also explains Easter demand, the Venice Architecture Biennale, ETIAS and why some Italian tickets cannot be booked far in advance.
Solo Travel in Italy After 60: Safety, Transportation and the Best Destinations
Italy can be an excellent destination for independent travelers in their 60s, 70s and beyond. This practical guide covers personal safety, medical preparation, train travel, reduced-mobility assistance, senior discounts, solo-friendly hotels and the Italian cities best suited to a comfortable, unhurried trip.
Ancestry Travel in Italy: How to Visit the Town Your Italian Family Came From
Visiting the Italian town your family came from can turn names and dates into a meaningful connection with place. This guide explains how to confirm the correct comune, arrange archive and parish visits, plan transportation and approach possible relatives with care.
Italy in November and December: Weather, Crowds, Christmas Markets and Where to Go
November brings quieter art cities, autumn flavors and potential travel savings, while December adds Christmas markets, Nativity traditions and festive crowds. This practical guide explains the weather, holiday closures, packing needs and best destinations across Italy.
Italian Food Specialties You Rarely Find in the United States
Many of Italy’s most fascinating foods rarely reach American stores or restaurants. Learn about Lardo di Colonnata, Culatello di Zibello, Pitina, little-known cheeses, Lunigiana’s torta d’erbi and other specialties worth seeking out in Italy.
Sanremo 2027: Dates, New Rules, Format and Everything Confirmed So Far
The Sanremo Music Festival returns in February 2027 with Stefano De Martino as host and artistic director. Here are the confirmed dates, five-night format, voting system, Eurovision selection changes, artificial-intelligence rules and details still awaiting announcement.
Italy’s Next General Election: Parties, Issues and What to Watch
Italy is preparing for a closely contested general election expected in 2027. Here is a clear guide to the parties, possible alliances, proposed electoral reform, major campaign issues and how Italian citizens abroad can vote.
Italian Progressive Rock: Essential Bands, Albums and Its Lasting Influence
Italian progressive rock combined symphonic music, jazz, folk traditions and theatrical storytelling. This guide explores PFM, Banco, Le Orme, Area, Goblin, Osanna, essential albums and the collaboration between PFM and Fabrizio De André.