In the early nineteenth century, when the great French writer Stendhal visited Florence, he claimed that he was so overwhelmed by the town’s vast accumulation of culture that he fainted. This condition has become famously known as the Stendhal Syndrome, …

The song Mamma has a special place in Italian music history, both because of its universal theme, maternal love, and the many famous artists to whom it is associated.  The song was composed in 1940 by Cesare Andrea Bixio, with …

Etna, Idda (She), Mungibeddu (Mongibello), ‘a Muntagna — these are some of the names used for Europe’s largest, widest, and tallest volcano, located in the plain of Catania. It is often referred to in the feminine form, as if it …

Art, history, and modern technology helped researchers unveil hidden tunnels beneath Milan’s Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle), structures that perfectly match sketches made by Leonardo da Vinci over five centuries ago.  Built in the 15th century, the Sforza Castle had been …

Trepalle is a small alpine hamlet in the municipality of Livigno, in the province of Sondrio, known for a very special characteristic: it’s the highest inhabited place in Europe.  Well, to be truthful, it is the second, but there is …

Welcome to Umbria, the “green center” of Italy — home to St. Francis’ stunning Assisi, the university (and chocolate capital) town of Perugia, swaths of alluring forests where wild truffles hide, and the world-famous wines of Montefalco. But there is …

I am going to be honest with you: as an Italian, I detest the concept of bella figura. While it still remains one of the most deeply ingrained aspects of Italian culture, shaping not only individual behavior but also public …

The Candelora, known in English as Candlemas, is a Christian feast celebrated on February 2nd, commemorating the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the Purification of the Virgin Mary; though less known than other religious celebrations, the Candelora has …

An unprecedented disaster, a collective mourning, a warzone in peacetime. Los Angeles wakes up traumatized by the devastation of wildfires. Even those who watched the inferno from a distance—safe but not untouched—will carry the image of towering flames on the …

For the first time, Italy was one of the twelve teams participating in the Sail Grand Prix, the regatta held at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. The helm of Red Bull Italy was entrusted to Ruggero Tita, …

The wounds left by the wildfires are still fresh, but the film industry does not stop. Soon, the most photographed and anticipated red carpet of the year will cover the dust left behind by the flames, especially in areas such …

It is no coincidence that Italy is often described as “the land of a hundred bell towers.” While this expression is sometimes used to highlight divisiveness, suggesting that everyone looks out for themselves at the expense of unity and common …

First, the Jubilee in Rome, then the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. The new year begins with a major national investment, not only in grand events but also in domestic tourism, facing the dual challenge of hospitality and managing an enormous …

Behind many successful American stories lies the journey of an immigrant. The story of Mellano & Company, the oldest flower business in the western United States, is no exception. It is a tale of resilience, hard work, and a deep-rooted …