rita cipalla

The road from Siena to Florence has been in use for centuries, passing through charming villages, fields bursting with flowers, and gently rolling countryside. About 20 minutes north of Siena, along one bend of the road, an impressive skyline suddenly …

In 1902, 22-year-old Pietro Nelli, like so many immigrants before him, boarded a ship and left Italy to seek a better future in America.  At that age, he could have never imagined what lay before him. It’s possible he saw …

Tuscany has enticed visitors for generations with its stunning landscapes, well-preserved medieval towns, and colorful pageants. For those same reasons, it also attracts plenty of tourists, particularly during the summer months.  If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to …

This year, the 2024 Windermere Cup Regatta, a popular Seattle tradition, brought together two rowing powerhouses – the University of Washington and the Italian National Team – to battle it out in a contest with historic roots. In 1936, during …

At first glance, elephants and Seattle seem an unlikely pairing. Why would the world’s largest land mammal, found in Asia and Africa, have so intrigued residents of the Pacific Northwest? Yet two Seattle companies have used this massive animal for …

Mention Pinocchio and most Americans immediately think of the 1940 blockbuster film by Walt Disney that introduced the feisty wooden puppet with the pointy nose to millions of children. But the Disney film classic – despite winning two Academy Awards …

Sometimes gritty, often exotic, always exciting, Palermo is home to some of Italy’s most beautiful churches, ornate palaces and delicious foods. The intensity of the capital city is without equal in all of Sicily.  If you’re looking for yet another …

In November, as Seattle temperatures dip and the ever-present rains return, there is another harbinger that marks the coming of fall: Cinema Italian Style.  The popular Italian film festival, now in its 16th season, was held from November 7-14 this …

The University of Washington Rome Center has been an important base for study-abroad students for more than four decades. The UW Rome Center, which welcomed about 400 students across a variety of disciplines in 2023, is housed in Palazzo Pio, a …

A glass artist for more than 75 years, Lino Tagliapietra is considered the greatest glass-blower of all time. His work has had tremendous impact on the studio-glass art movement internationally, including the Pacific Northwest, a mecca for glass art.  But …