How to escape the crowds at Lake Como in Italy
The town of Bellagio basks in the spotlight as Lake Como’s crown jewel, but there’s a quieter haven across the lake, away from the masses, and it’s the perfect base to explore the extraordinary towns that lap Italy’s third-largest lake. Welcome to Lenno. A charming hamlet with a population of about 1800 some 20km northeast of Como, the closest trai...
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Editor John Ottman to Direct Antonio Vivaldi Biopic (EXCLUSIVE)
Editor, composer, director and producer John Ottman is teaming with film and music industry executive David Franco to develop a dramatic biopic based on the life of world-renowned Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. The project, written by Kevin Lund and TJ Scott, has had been long-gestating, beginning 20 years ago when Ron Howard was set to direct....
WTI Events: April 17, 2024 Verrazzano Day in Greve in Chianti
April 17, 2024 Greve in Chianti, Italy
Martin Scorsese to Direct ‘Sinatra' Biopic, Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence
Martin Scorsese, 81, is planning to shoot two films back to back: the first about Jesus, the second a Frank Sinatra biopic. Leonardo DiCaprio would play Sinatra and Jennifer Lawrence his wife Ava Gardner. Sony is currently the frontrunner to helm the project. This is quite the news given that the project had originally been scrapped, for a variety...
The United States of America and Italy Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Expand Collaboration on Countering Foreign State Information Manipulation
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Italy’s Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Italy on countering foreign state information manipulation. Foreign state inf...
The small wild paradise of the Egadi Islands. Where to eat and what to see in Marettimo
Solitary and wild, Marettimo has preserved a reserved and elitist profile. The furthest of the Egadi presents itself with high limestone walls covered by Mediterranean scrub that plunge into turquoise and crystalline sea waters. The white houses with blue windows of the small fishing village resemble the Greek landscape of the Cyclades. The rocky c...
Settepani: The family conquering Brooklyn with Italian sweets: "Panettone all year round here"
Bilena Settepani wasn't even born yet when her parents, Nino and Leah, the former Sicilian and the latter Ethiopian-Eritrean, laid the foundation stone for what is now an Italian-American institution: Settepani Bakery in Brooklyn, a place dedicated to promoting the national baking art. "Nomen omen," one might say. And indeed, they never stopped: wh...
The 7 most famous and best desserts of the Venetian pastry shop
But how sweet Venice is! The knowledge of a place also passes through its gastronomic culture, you know. And when we talk about Venetian cuisine we always think of salty dishes, wines, often forgetting about pastry. But the Venetian pastry shop is full of preparations and products that come from very ancient traditions, some even dating back to the...
America’s First Italian Bishop
In 1817, when the Italian–born Father Joseph Rosati arrived in St. Louis, he found a ramshackle church, a windowless log cabin for a rectory, and 2,500 people disinterested in religion of any sort. On the best of days, that would fail to cheer a missionary’s heart. But this wasn’t just any day. Rosati had come to St. Louis to prepare the church for...
Discovering Franciacorta
It was a beautiful April evening in Hong Kong and we were on the 32nd floor, surrounded by glitzy skyscrapers, replete with gleaming lights. A few of us friends had gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion of our 40-something friend going back to university soon. It was a bittersweet moment, as every farewell tends to be. Toasts were said and a...
Chef Michael Toscano Drops ‘Unauthentic Italian’ Bar Bites at Charleston’s Revelry Brewing
What is “fugazzi”? According to Charleston-based chef Micheal Toscano (and Matthew McConaughey’s character in Wolf of Wall Street), it means “phony” or “fake.” Toscano, who also owns Le Farfalle (15 Beaufain Street) and Da Toscano Porchetta Shop (109 President Street), recently opened Da Toscano Fugazzi at Revelry Brewing Co. (10 Conroy Street). “I...
Italea, the platform helping root travelers discover their past
2024 marks a pivotal year for roots tourism, a movement that Italy is championing with determination and commitment. As more Italians living abroad and their descendants seek to reconnect with their ancestral origins, Italy introduces Italea (www.italea.com), an ambitious project designed to facilitate this deeply personal journey. Its aim is to su...