La vita italiana

Let’s be honest, it’s not only kids who love chocolate eggs: we all do! Indeed, the egg has a very ancient symbolism: it always represented life, the fulcrum of universal elements, both in pagan and Christian traditions.   Easter egg tradition …

Our readers may remember we did tackle the subject before: there are homes for sale in Italy for just 1 euro. Mind, the news made it big in the US, so you probably didn’t only hear it from us. Let’s …

It is often reported that kids today no longer go out to the streets to play with their friends and to engage in discovering novel adventures, as it was usual a few generations ago. No, today they sit down in …

On the 14th of March 1891, 11 people were accused of the murder of the chief of police. They were acquitted, but it ended up in a pogrom: the victims were the children of the laborers deported to Louisiana to …

Though ancient, the aerie of Ferrazzano has survived unspoiled into the 21st century. The medieval village of Samnite origin also gave birth to actor Robert De Niro’s great grandparents, Giovanni Di Niro and Angelina Mercurio, who left in search of their US …

Just about the time when the long cold days of winter come to an end, and heavy wool coats are hung up and being put away, one can start seeing aisles of Easter goodies at their local stores. Milk chocolate …

For Christian Catholics, Holy Week is the most spiritually pregnant moment of the year, even more than Christmastime. But in Italy, this is a time resonant with meaning among people who don’t believe, too: Holy Week is a time of …

Sardinia, cradle of history and special traditions, holds within also plenty of culinary secrets. Let’s ideally travel to the west of the island. We are in the enchanting area of Marmilla, a small region at the very edges of the …

Jewish populations have called Italy home since Judas Maccabee sent a contingent to Rome in 161 B.C.  Although their history is wrought with strife, Jewish communities have established deeply planted roots throughout Italy. Their distinct culture has interwoven with the …

A solitary woman dressed in dark regal hues, her fingers adorned with  topazes and opals,  a voice as deep and smooth as the softest of velvets. She sits in a room scented like opium and incense, twilight cloaking everything in …