So... when will Italy be ready for US travelers? Back in May of last year (that was good ol' 2020 for
Benvenuti in Italia!
Welcome to my Italy Website, a trusted source for Italy lovers who want the authentic experience.
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Ciao!
Grazie... for stopping by my irreverent blog, where I attempt to decipher Italian culture for the English-speaking world.
It’s always my intention to go a little deeper — beyond the stereotypes and la dolce vita — to discuss the many reasons why this beautiful chaotic country continues to inspire the dreams of travelers and writers and expats year after year.
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Caravaggio in Sicily
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Is Opera Dead?
Learning Italian Virtually – Video Demo
Quarantined: Isolation and Starvation During a Pandemic
The Fatal Charm of Italy Podcast
In-depth discussions with other Italy lovers on a variety of topics.
"I love the language, that soft bastard Latin, which melts like kisses from a female mouth, and sounds as if it should be writ on satin, with syllables which breathe of the sweet South." — Lord Byron
The term “Italian food” used in foreign countries really doesn’t have much meaning within Italia. So if you want to sample authentic cuisine, then it’s best to stick to the local dishes when dining out.
Italy has more World Heritage Cultural Sites than any other country in the world. Rome has so many by itself that they had to lump it all into one: "The historic center of Rome and the Holy See."
Do you have an Italy-related business?
My Italy blog is my passion, but it’s not my “day job.” However, the success of my website has largely been the result of my knowledge of digital marketing across various platforms.
And that is my day job.
I love Italy, and I get a lot of satisfaction out of helping Italy-based businesses leverage the power and reach of the Internet to promote their goods and services, and by association, promote Italian culture around the world.
I'm more than happy to set up a free initial consultation to see where your opportunities lie, and the path to success for your business!
faq
Almost every day I get an email or two from someone soliciting my advice about learning Italian. Besides my own language journey, I also have taught English to Italians, so I have a unique perspective on both sides of the equation. The bottom line is, for rapid language acquisition among adults, nothing beats a good software program. Hands down, this is the fastest way to learn the basics—to get the vocabulary and grammar swirling around in your brain. If you're not ready for that level of immersion, I've also created a free "crash course" to get you started: Crash Course in Italian.
This is a subject that I return to from time to time simply because I find it so fascinating. I’ve often encountered a very blurry line between religion and superstition in Italy. For example, to get rid of an evil eye curse (malocchio), you need the help of an elderly Catholic woman who invokes a prayer to Mother Mary on your behalf to put an end to your streak of bad luck. It’s just one big mystical stew. Read more: Catholicism and Other Superstitions
Ha! I caught a lot of grief from Italians when I wrote a post on this topic, due to the fact that I cited several stereotypes about regional characteristics among Italians. I was NOT the one promoting these stereotypes, mind you, only repeating what I’ve heard from Italians themselves. Still, you know what they say about the messenger… Regional Differences in Italy
You had to ask, didn't you? Well, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! This handy little invention of modern plumbing can really brighten your day. Read more here: The Bidet in Italy