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Castel Gandolfo is a small but historically rich town located in the Alban Hills, about 25 kilometers (just over 15 miles) southeast of Rome, overlooking the waters of Lake Albano. Despite its size, this village is internationally known as the …

When we think of Pisa, we think of its leaning tower, but there is much more in town to enjoy, starting with the famous Luminara di San Ranieri, one of the most charming and visually striking traditions in Italy, celebrated …

The Italian word diamine (dee-ah-me-nai) is one of those expressive interjections that adds flair, emotion, and color to everyday conversation.  Though not offensive or vulgar, it belongs firmly in the category of informal language and is used to express surprise, …

Amaro Lucano was born in 1894 in Pisticci, a small town in Basilicata, when pastry chef Pasquale Vena began experimenting by blending more than thirty herbs in the back of his cookie factory to create a wonderfully balanced herbal liqueur. …

The Italian word qualsiasi (kual-see-ah-see) is a commonly used adjective and pronoun meaning “any,” “whatever,” or “whichever,” depending on context. It is used to express indifference among a set of possibilities or to indicate that a statement applies universally within …

Today’s word is full of… drama!  If you have spent any time around Italians – especially in moments of surprise, exasperation, or even gossip – you have probably heard the word oddio (ohd-dee-oh), a short, sharp, and expressive adverb, which …

The domed stone oven – forno a cupola in Italian – is one of those features that people who love cooking often dream of: it’s beautiful to look at, and it makes food taste better.  Lighting it takes time and …

ViBi Venezia is a modern footwear brand with some serious historical cred, at least when it comes to the shoe style it produces. Founded in 2015 by Venetian sisters Viola and Vera Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, the brand has carved out …

In the collective imagination, the invention of mobile phones is tied to the booming consumer culture of the 1980s. But long before the Motorola DynaTAC or the first brick-sized handsets made headlines, an Italian engineer had already envisioned – and …

In 2025, the National Italian-American Foundation (NIAF) celebrates its 50th anniversary, a landmark moment for an organization that has long played a central role in representing and supporting the Italian American community.  Established in 1975, NIAF was created to preserve …