The Latest

On this episode of You, Me and Sicily we take you to the Province of Siracusa. First stop is Ortigia, the magnificent and historic island. Then we head to the Archeological park in the city of Siracusa to see some …

The combination of great food, fine wines, heritage and history, culture and climate continue to make Italy a firm favorite with travelers from around the globe. Many visitors to Italy return time and time again for romantic breaks, family holidays, …

Separated by a mere two miles of sparkling sea at its shortest distance, the island of Sicily sits off the toe of Italy’s “boot,” looking somewhat like a football readied for the punt.  Italian by association, yet distinct and unique …

October, the month Italo-American organizations throughout the United States celebrated Columbus Day with parades and public festas, is becoming a thing of the past. Since the 1992 Columbus Quincentennial commemorations, political activists have been watering down Columbus Day Discovery celebrations, to …

At the foot of Rome’s Capitoline Hill, by the staircase leading to the Piazza del Campidoglio, seat of the city government since the Middle Ages, a statue of a hooded man waving a sword commemorates a crime. On this spot …

Agnolotti are Piemonte’s best comfort food: warm, filling, tasty, they are so quintessentially Piedmontese they are part of the region’s official list of traditional products (P.A.T.).  Reassuring in their ubiquitous presence on Piemonte’s festive table, they are today  declined in …

This past 4th of July, the US Embassy in Rome celebrated the 244th Independence Day anniversary unusually. It didn’t only move all celebrations online — because of the pandemic and the consequent ban on gatherings — but it also decided …

We usually say that America is a melting pot of cultures and races, but did you know that, according to  genetic research, Italy may be just as varied? The study was carried out by a team of researchers from Rome’s …

Valtellina is a beautiful alpine area in the Sondrio province of Lombardia. You may think not to know it, but you’re certainly familiar with places like Bormio and Livigno, famous for their ski resorts and picturesque views; truth is, Valtellina …

You are certainly familiar with it, the curnicello, or cornetto, that red chili pepper Neapolitans use to attract good luck and be protected by evil forces, or malocchio, as they call it. Found often on market stalls,  it has become …

Over 26 million Americans of Italian descent currently reside in the United States, making Italian Americans the seventh largest ethnic group. Every October, the Italian-American Heritage Month aims at recognizing the contributions and achievements of these people and their ancestors …

The first weekend in October is usually busy for San Francisco. Residents and travelers greet the San Francisco Fleet Week to honor all men and women serving in the armed forces and celebrate the oldest Italian Heritage Parade of the …

A lot of people in Los Angeles, especially baseball fans, will miss eating at the stadium during a Dodgers’ match:  food has always been part of the experience. Fries, hot dogs, nachos, carne asada, you name it, you could find …

When does a mass-produced object transcend into art? Conversely, when does a unique piece push back against the concept of seriality? For Italy’s Design Ambassador, architect Roberto Palomba, the interplay between these two ideas defines what is contemporary. As design …

Walking into C. Mariani Antiques feels like stepping into a museum, a gallery or – simply put –  a place full of history, craftsmanship, and beauty. Claudio Mariani welcomes us to his San Francisco showroom wearing what has become his …

It’s one of the busiest times of the year in Washington DC and everywhere in America. When Fall approaches, many from the Italian-American community get ready for one of the biggest, most special, unparalleled events of the year.  The NIAF …

I might lose my credentials without some clarification: Italians love nuts year-round, but when fall arrives, nuts take center stage. While not as romanticized as the autumnal grape and olive harvests, the variety and quality of nuts cultivated in Italy …

In 2001, My Voyage to Italy, a 1999 documentary directed by Martin Scorsese about Italian cinema, was presented out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The documentary, which lasts over four hours, features Scorsese’s deep and thoughtful critique alongside …

Altomonte is a small village in Calabria, southern Italy, known for its medieval charm, historical significance, and cultural wealth. Located in the province of Cosenza, it is around 38 miles northwest of the city.  While somewhat off the beaten path, …

Pasta alla Papalina is a quintessential Roman dish, full of tradition and with very aristocratic origins. Though not as universally known as some of its more popular Roman cousins, like carbonara or cacio e pepe, pasta alla Papalina has a …

Accipicchia (atch-tchi-peek-eeah)  is a playful and colorful interjection in the Italian language, often used to express surprise, amazement, or mild frustration. It’s a term that embodies the expressive flair of the language and that can add a sense of lightheartedness …

Dear readers, October will always be Italian Heritage Month in the heart of Italian-Americans, and although Columbus and his day may be politically incorrect, Indigenous People’s Day is a bit over-the-top correct in my book. Nonetheless, we live and let …

In Rome, a grand celebration at Cinecittà marked Sophia Loren’s 90th birthday. Her son, director Edoardo Ponti, who directed her three times on set in Between Strangers, Voce umana, and the intense The Life Ahead, addressed her with heartfelt words. …