La vita italiana

Growing up in the suburbs of New York City among a big Italian-American community, Professor Vincent J. Cannato has respect for his Italian origins. “My grandfather was born in Sicily and grew up in Calabria and came to America when …

There’s something enticing and quintessentially romantic about train travel: watching the landscape changing before one’s eyes, crossing remote areas, having time to relax and unwind and take in the views are just some of the reasons why many enthusiasts consider …

Those who believe there’s no culture in Los Angeles, much less Italian culture, should reconsider their belief: L.A. residents interested in learning about Italy have plenty of opportunities to do so. Just consider that, as Italy pays tribute to one …

Celebrations for the 35th anniversary of the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) kicked off October 26 in New York City. A “unique sisterhood that welcomes women of all ages and phases of life,” NOIAW was founded in 1980 …

The Leaning Tower of Pisa seems like an obvious topic for a travel and culture blog about Italy, but if I’m being honest I have to admit that it had never been on my “Have-To” list.  I didn’t understand why …

At market in Massachusetts this fall there are a variety of apples on sale that I have never seen before including Golden Russets, Freedoms, Spitzen-bergs, and Red Stayman Winesaps. It was the same in the New York Hudson Valley last …

On September 26, the Italian Embassy in Washington hosted the Country Assembly of Italians living abroad. For those who have never heard about the CGIE, the Consiglio Generale degli Italiani all’Estero is the body that represents nowadays the Italian communities …

One of my very favorite places in Rome is the Pantheon with the small Piazza della Rotunda just to the south of it. Every trip to Rome is not complete without a visit to this glorious first century monument. There …

Growing up in the States, I had heard two things about the origins of Halloween: 1) that it had originated as a Pagan festival and 2) that it was the secular version of the Catholic All Hallow’s Eve. I suppose …

Its name is Jellyfish Barge and it’s a floating greenhouse. On its wooden basement there are recycled plastic drums where to grow vegetables just exploiting sea water, solar energy and wind. No land needed. That means growing farms could happen …