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Torrita di Siena is a charming medieval town located in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. It lies approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Florence, the region’s largest city, and 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of Siena.   Torrita is known for its well-preserved historical …

The Italian expression senz’altro (sehn-tzal-troh) is a widely used phrase that translates to “certainly,” “of course,” or “without a doubt” in English. It is a way to affirm something with confidence and conviction, often implying an immediate or unquestionable response. …

You know that faint image or pattern that appears when you hold an expensive sheet of paper up to the light? That’s a watermark, a centuries-old invention that started in Italy. Originally a way for papermakers to brand their work, …

The arch is one of the most important architectural innovations in history, and while its basic concept may have existed in early civilizations, it was the Etruscans and, later, the Romans who perfected and popularized its use. This seemingly simple …

Vietri sul Mare is a small town in southern Italy, along the Amalfi Coast. Located just about three miles to the east of Salerno, it is considered the gateway to one of the most famous stretches of coastline in the …

You know you’re dealing with something special when a company has been around for over six centuries. That’s the case with Camuffo, the world’s oldest shipyard, making boats since 1438. It all began under the Venetian Republic, when the Camuffo …

The Italian word capriccio (cah-pree-tcho) has changed its meaning over centuries and if today we associate it to something we do on a whim, or to impulsiveness, once upon a time it also meant “discomfort.”  Its etymology is linked to …

In the village of Vico del Gargano, in Italy’s Apulia region, Valentine’s Day is celebrated a bit differently. Saint Valentine has been the patron saint of the place since the 17th century; here, however, he doesn’t only protect lovers, but …

Urbani Truffles was founded in 1852 by Costantino Urbani and grew from a modest truffle exporting business in Umbria into the world’s leading distributor of high-quality truffles. What started as a small family operation selling fresh truffles in France evolved …

The Italian word malanno  (mah-lahn-no) is an interesting and versatile term with layers of meaning and cultural significance. Its most common translation into English is “ailment” or “illness,” but its usage often extends beyond physical sickness to include mishaps, misfortunes, …