Travel

The art of reproducing the nativity scene is linked to an ancient tradition in Italy. Three cities are particularly famous for their presepi: Bologna, Genoa, and Naples. The Bolognese tradition dates back to the 13th century, and it is different …

Rieti is the place where Saint Francis was inspired for his encyclical “Laudato si” and where he started his spiritual journey through the Holy Valley. Everyone can travel on his steps today, walking on a green trekking trail and visiting …

Some have considered it the result of an extraordinary work. Others have called it “the rebirth of a little gem”. Nevertheless, what happened to Postignano, a medieval village in the Umbria region, is the example of how love for beauty …

Greccio is a small town near Rieti, where St Francis conceived the first living nativity scene ever made in history, in 1223. To keep this tradition alive, the inhabitants of Greccio recreate this live nativity scene every year since 1973, …

The House of Medici. To anyone the name of this powerful Florentine family is in and of itself a synonym for the Italian Renaissance. But how many do really know about the origins, history and art patronage of the dynasty which …

In the northernmost part of Italy, bordering the majestic, snowcapped Swiss Alps, is a valley called Valtellina, long known for the quality of its produce and vineyards as well as the natural and cultural landscape. Historically and politically, the valley …

The opportunity to visit Firenze, the capital of Tuscany and the Renaissance, is something nobody should ever miss. It is an experience to be lived at least once in a lifetime. Why? Because Florence is certainly one of the most …

You can find bigger Christmas trees and more extravagant decorations in the United States, but nothing looks, tastes, feels or sounds like la stagione natalizia (Christmas season) in Italy. With roots in the “Saturnalia,” the winter solstice rites of ancient …

Susan takes us on a journey in an Italian farmer and tells us how it helped relax and find peace.   Are you planning a trip to Italy but want to spend some time away from the maddening crowds? Did …

Norcia: a cradle of tradition and art, a symbol of western culture, home to Saint Benedict father of monasticism and patron saint of Europe. Norcia: medieval alleys and stone, “norcinerie” with their prosciutto and wild boar salame, the peaceful fragrance …