Verona’s Opera Festival Celebrates Its Centennial
See the world’s best-known operas performed in an ancient arena in the heart of Verona.
Northern Italy
Northern Italy, stretching from the Alps to the Dolomites and the Ligurian Sea to the Adriatic, is a glorious area to visit. The category includes posts on the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Lombardy, Piemonte, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d’Aosta, and Veneto.
Bergamo and Brescia ‘Shine’ as Dual Capitals of Italian Culture
Lombard cities Bergamo and Brescia unite as the 2023 Italian Capital of Culture.
When Ravenna Was the ‘Capital of Empire’
‘Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe’ is a comprehensive look at the history of Ravenna during its golden age.
Writing on the Wall: Birthplace of Tina Modotti in Udine
A look at Franco del Zotto Odorico’s art at the Tina Modotti house in Udine.
Finally Ferrara: Postcard From a City That Called Me Back
Ferrara is a gorgeous little city in Emilia-Romagna known for its Renaissance walls and palaces, the Castello Estense, and its rich Jewish heritage.
Five Favorite Flavors From Ferrara and Modena
To ring in the New Year, my family and I rented a farmhouse for a few days on the outskirts of Ferrara. Thinking back to the trip, the timing wasn’t ideal. Ferrara was freezing and on New Year’s Eve, the fog was so thick on our drive into town to watch the fireworks over Castello…
The Fortress of San Leo and Its Torture Chamber
The town of San Leo in Emilia-Romagna is known for its Renaissance era fort and torture chamber.
No Bull: Italy Has a Museum Devoted to Sh*t
Emilia-Romagna’s Shit Museum explores man’s relationship to manure.
Centuries of History and 300,000 Wheels of Cheese Destroyed in Deadly Italy Earthquake
The latest reports about the earthquake that hit Emilia-Romagna this weekend state that at least seven people were killed, 50 injured, and more than 13,000 have been displaced. The 6.0 earthquake struck early Sunday morning north of the city of Bologna in the town of Finale Emilia. According to The Guardian, the quake “wrought havoc…
Culinary Tour of Ravenna
Cooking school teacher and chef Angela Schiavina shows off the culinary riches of Ravenna in this “My City” video from The Guardian.
Travel Secrets: 3 of My Favorite “Secret” Places in Italy
Coming up with three of my best travel secrets for Italy is no easy task. Alas, I’ve been tagged by Robin Locker at My Mélange to come up with my list, just as she has over at her blog. In fact, since I had difficulty paring down my favorites, I’ve come up with my non-Italy…
Ecotourism in Cinque Terre
Protect Cinque Terre offers guests the opportunity to work with locals in landscape preservation.
Genoa With Kids
I was recently doing some research on Genoa (Genova) and found that the old city, known for its port and as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, has several kid-friendly activities, almost all of which can be found around the port. From the port, families can take whale- and dolphin-watching excursions. Whale Watch Liguria offers the…
Spain Conquers Italy
Large parts of Italy were once united under the Spanish flag, with conquests in Naples and Sicily by the houses of Aragon and Bourbon, among others. Even Milan and Parma were under Spanish rule at one point. I confess that I am not an expert on Spain’s influence on Italy, so you may want to…
Gastronomic Tour of Emilia Romagna
You can eat well just about anywhere in Italy. But Italians know that Italy’s culinary heart lies in Emilia-Romagna. Lasagna, tortellini, premium balsamic vinegar from Modena, Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, mortadella — all of these scrumptious items (and more) come from Emilia-Romagna. That’s why epicures who want to get the most out of a visit to…
Genoa’s World Pesto Championship
Pesto, the green pasta sauce indigenous to Genoa, is celebrated at the Pesto World Championship. Learn more about pesto and culinary competition.
Bologna’s Old Cutlery Shop
In a recent NY Times Foraging column, Melissa Clark profiles Antica Aguzzeria del Cavallo, a cutlery shop that dates back to 1783. Clark notes, “If it cuts, rips, tears, nicks, grates, slices, shaves or pricks and is legal to sell, they most likely have it.” Here’s another taste of the short article: When Antonio Bernagozzi…