francesca bezzone

La Scala’s premiere of Don Carlo and its alignment with UNESCO’s recognition of Italian opera singing as a cultural treasure perfectly sets the stage to explore the incredible history of opera in Italy: emerging from the artistic fervor of the Renaissance, opera singing …

The humble chickpea, a small yet mighty legume, has quietly shaped the culinary landscape of the Mediterranean for millennia. Its story is woven into the very history of the region itself, in a narrative of civilizations rising and falling, trade …

When it comes to food, every region—and every family, to be honest!—has its own traditions, especially at Christmas. Minestra maritata and pasta al forno in Naples, canederli in Trentino-Alto Adige, tortellini in brodo a bit everywhere: the variety and choice …

Trentino-Alto Adige, particularly the province of Bolzano, emerged as an exceptional area, both in Italy and Europe, for its high life expectancy.  Data from Eurostat revealed that this region is among the European areas with the highest life expectancy at …

With the introduction of the Cammino dei Cappuccini ENIT, the Italian National Tourist Board, aims to do more than just offer a spiritual journey: it seeks to breathe new life into Italy’s hinterland, specifically the Marche region, which is often …

I think that, when it comes to Italian food abroad, lasagne comes second only to pizza in popularity, and it’s easy to understand why: this comforting, flavorsome dish is very versatile and adaptable, and it’s perfect to be made in batches and …

With its history, culture, and culinary delights, Italy knows how to embrace the magic of Christmas like few other places in the world and here, just like everywhere else in the world, the holiday season is a time of joy, …

Discovering little-known gems in my own country has become a bit of a hobby: I’ve been making a list, and I am planning to start visiting them this spring. First of all, traveling is fun, and then… who knows, they …

In Naples, the Christmas season is marked by a delightful array of sweets, with roccocò standing out as a traditional favorite. These treats, which share the spotlight with other popular festive delights like struffoli, raffioli, mostaccioli, and susamielli, are essential to the festive atmosphere in Neapolitan homes.  …

In the teeming markets and cobbled streets of Ancient Rome, where the thrum of the empire pulsed strongest, two women carved their names into the annals of commerce and industry, challenging the era’s traditional gender roles. Back then, societal norms largely …