Category Archives: Italian History

Architecture of Italy

Posted on May 24, 2016 by

One of the many highlights in Italy is the spectacular architecture. Not only the age of some of Italy’s monuments but the style and sheer beauty is what strikes me. Spanning almost 3000 years, Italy’s diverse architectural styles reflect the … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian History, Italy Photo, Italy Travel, Italy Travel Planning, Photography, TRAVEL | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Lombardy: Milan and More – Guest Post

Posted on May 15, 2016 by

Today I am  pleased to feature a guest post by Sara Mazzucato, a copywriter from Padua, Italy. Enjoy. Lombardy mon amour: From the romantic Sforza Castle to the beautiful Lake Maggiore and its “Fornaci di Caldè” Have you ever been … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian History, Italian lifestyle and culture, Italy Photo, Italy Travel, Italy Travel Planning, TRAVEL | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Taormina’s Greek Theater – Teatro Greco

Posted on April 3, 2016 by

Taormina is one of the most popular and beautiful places in Sicily. It was my first stop in Sicily and I fell in love immediately. I’d recommend this classy resort city to anyone planning a trip to Sicilia, the southern … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian History, Italian lifestyle and culture, Italy Photo, Italy Travel, Italy Travel Planning, TRAVEL | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

The Allure of Italy – A Matter of Perception

Posted on March 27, 2016 by

In another part of the world, this might look like a rough section of a city, or even a ghetto.  But in Italy,  crumbling stone foundations and graffiti-laced walls exude a particular type of charm. The allure of Italy is … Continue reading →

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Monteriggioni – Another Hilltop Town in Tuscany

Posted on March 6, 2016 by

Several years ago  I spent ten glorious days in Tuscany, making Siena my hub so that I could take day trips from there easily. On the way home from visiting some wineries, I was fortunate enough to be able to … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian History, Italian lifestyle and culture, Italy Travel, Italy Travel Planning, TRAVEL | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

San Gimignano – Town of Beautiful Towers in Tuscany

Posted on February 21, 2016 by

You have probably heard your traveling friends rave about the Italian town of San Gimignano, how it is a preserved medieval village in Tuscany, and how it is a “must-see” location in Italy. Now that I have been there myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian History, Italian lifestyle and culture, Italy Travel, Italy Travel Planning, TRAVEL | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

A Trip to the Hospital in Venice

Posted on January 21, 2016 by

I recently retired from a lifelong career as a critical-care nurse and I have always been curious about hospitals in foreign countries. Often I have been tempted to walk inside and have a look around. Usually there isn’t enough time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian History, Italian lifestyle and culture, Italy Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

A Fountain of Joy in Siena

Posted on December 13, 2015 by

If you have been to Siena you couldn’t miss seeing the famous  Fonte Gaia or Fountain of Joy on the high side of Piazza del Campo. This fifteeenth-century white marble sculpted fountain and pool is one of a few medieval … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Italian History, Italian lifestyle and culture, Italy Photo, Italy Travel, TRAVEL | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Daydreaming about Positano

Posted on December 11, 2015 by

I find myself daydreaming about Positano sometimes. I’ve been there many times, but this past summer was the first time that I stayed there. And now I  yearn to return. Positano seems to cast that magical spell on those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian History, Italian lifestyle and culture, Italy Travel, Italy Travel Planning, TRAVEL, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Caffè Sospeso – A Naples Tradition

Posted on December 6, 2015 by

Naples is a city where coffee is woven into the fabric of everyday life, and the tradition of caffè sospeso is part of it. The custom of “suspended coffee,” may relate to the history behind today’s pay it forward practice; … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian History, Italian lifestyle and culture, Italy Travel, Italy Travel Planning, Made in Italy, TRAVEL | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments