Culture

The culture of good food is as central to the heart and soul of Italy as practically any other facet of the Dolce Vita. Each of Italy’s regions is renowned for distinctive food and wine specialties, all lovingly produced with pride …

The term Carnevale stems from the Latin expression carnem levare, which roughly translates to an urging to abstain from eating meat. Indeed, the day after Mardi Gras, the climax of Carnival, marks the beginning of Lent, a period extending until …

In the midst of the countless churches gracing the historic center of Palermo, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, one cannot help but notice the one that occupies a prominent place at the Quattro Canti, or Piazza Vigliena. …

Chiacchiere, bugie, frappe, and cenci. No matter the name, they are a similar Carnival snack—thin, deep-fried strips of a liqueur-enriched dough that are tossed in sugar and munched upon during the festivities. In Venice, arguably home to Italy’s most famous …

The Sassi di Matera are an extraordinary example of ancient and sustainable human settlement in the southern region of Basilicata, Italy. These stone dwellings, etched into the limestone cliffs of Matera, represent one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with origins dating …

The Battaglia delle Arance, or the Battle of the Oranges, is a unique and lively tradition held annually in Ivrea, a town in Italy’s Piedmont region. This event is part of the town’s historical carnival and takes place over three …

The Fiera di Sant’Orso in Aosta is a centuries-old tradition that celebrates the region’s rich craftsmanship and folklore. It is held annually on January 30th and 31st and is one of the most important events in the Aosta Valley’s calendar. The event traces …

Think about Brunelleschi’s cupola, in Florence, think about its color… that rich, beautiful orangey-red, so vibrant and clean, so vivid against the blue skies of a terse winter day. Well, that color is all down to Impruneta terracotta.  Impruneta, set in …

Trenitalia, Italy’s state railway operator, announced plans to launch new tourist-focused train routes in 2024, which are part of a broader initiative to promote sustainable tourism and to encourage visitors to explore beyond the major Italian cities and well-known tourist destinations. This …

Ginori 1735 is among the most iconic names of Italian porcelain making, but you may be more familiar with the way it used to be called until a couple—four, to be precise!—years ago, Richard Ginori. Its story, as you may …