Victoria de Maio

Victoria’s trip in Italy has officially started. Her return to Italia began in the “cradle of the Renaissance”, Florence! My Day on the “Other Side”…of the Arno River, That Is!   There are so many reasons to return to Florence–once …

Since the town of Civita da Bagnoregio has been listed for a candidature as a UNESCO world heritage site, Italy committee nurtures hope for town’s campaign and states that the town has all it takes to pass the phases of the application …

Umbria is described as being located in the heart of Italy and with neither a coastline or a border with a foreign country, it is also the only landlocked one. Known for it’s verdant hills and valleys, picturesque medieval hill …

Here the second part of Victoria’s visit at Mastrobernardino Wine. Mastroberardino is the only winery that has been planting experimental vineyards using ancient traditions in several locations within Pompeii. The resulting grapes have been used in several of their bottlings. …

The Città di Fiesole is self-described as il cielo supra Firenze, ”the sky above Florence”, and if you have the opportunity to visit the ancient Etruscan city that sits atop Sickle-Moon Hill, you will certainly appreciate why. From Piazza San …

It was poet Giosuè Carducci who gave Umbria the title, “green heart of Italy”. And for good reason…   Umbria truly is a lush, verdant region literally located in the heart of Italy. As with every other region, Umbria has …

I have always loved ceramic ware. I grew up with the vibrant colors and hand painted decorative designs around me and my attraction to and weakness for it has never diminished… It’s even more special when you meet or visit the …

Victoria takes us to Lecce, a town in Puglia which has been called the “Florence of the South”.   Like so many Italian cities, Lecce has a fascination history and story dating back thousands of years. Although touched and influenced …

In 1996, Mastroberardino Vineyards in Campania was appointed by the archaeological superintendent of Pompeii to conduct extensive research in an on-site laboratory. The goal was to discover the original grape varietals and wine making techniques used in ancient Pompeii and …

Victoria tours the Etruscan and medieval town in Umbria. Orvieto sits on an impressive outcropping of volcanic tufa stone. Settled by the Etruscans, it has an amazing labyrinth of underground tunnels and wells. However, what gets your attention is definitely above …