The prickly pear, a sweet gift from the New World
Among the olive groves and vineyards of sun-drenched Southern Italy, you can find a touch of the New World and, no, I’m not talking about tomatoes… Amid warm, rocky terrains, adorned by the sun’s brilliant touch, we find a plant that seems oddly out of place: the prickly pear. This intriguing botanical transplant, known in Italian as fico d’India,...
Piaggio Unveils Vespa’s Disney Mickey Mouse Special Edition
Disney is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2023. In honor, Disney and Vespa have come together for a special, limited edition Disney Mickey Mouse Edition with matching helmet. This isn’t Disney and Vespa’s first collaboration, of course. If you’ve seen the 2021 Disney Pixar film Luca, then you likely recall the prominent roles that Vespa scooters...
Rome has its own lavander field: here is the corner of Provence where you can have a drink
It opened June 10, 2023 Rome's Il Lavandeto (lavander field), a corner of Provence in the capital created by Francesca De Iuliis, a former sales manager in the construction industry. A few kilometers from the Ardeatina exit of the Gra, near the Sanctuary of Divine Love, it is now possible to stroll among the beautiful lilac expanses, but also parti...
'So charming': New cafè brings authentic Italian experience to Mount Lookout
If traveling to Italy isn't part of your summer plans, you can stay right here in Cincinnati and enjoy an authentic experience at a new cafè on the East Side. VV The Italian Experience is a family business years in the making, and a new way to try authentic old-world fare. Co-owner, Melissa De Giorgi, said their location in Mount Lookout on Delta A...
Burano Island: Ideal Day Trip from Venice
Burano Island makes a fantastic day (or half-day) trip from Venice. If you have time to spare in Venice, here’s why you should add Burano to your list! Ever seen those photos of Venice that show brightly-painted buildings and flowerpots? Those aren’t from the main island of Venice, but Burano. The island is a true photo-lover’s paradise!
Luxury Italian Design House Cassina Opens Their Largest Store in West Hollywood
Highlighted by a display of its design collaboration with the late Virgil Abloh, high-end Italian furniture brand Cassina unveiled its largest store to date in May on North Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood. “We are extremely excited to open the largest Cassina Store in Los Angeles, sharing our unique vision of the home with the American public...
Exports of the Italian food districts exceed €25 billion
The Monitor of the Italian agri-food districts published by the Studies and Research Department of the Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo shows a +12.8% increase in exports in 2022 compared to 2021, with a turnover of more than 25 billion euros. This confirms the general growth trend of Italian food&beverage exports (+15.3% in 2022), of which districts a...
Podcast: Galveston, Texas and Italian immigration
Italians have a long history in Texas. The earliest Italians arrived during the years of Spanish exploration. 300 years before ports opened up along the Texas coast. Although they did not settle, these explorers arrived in Texas with Spaniard Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1541. Italian settlers first arrived in the late 1700s as merchants. Settl...
Pizza Amore by Pizza Artista location coming to Carencro, LA
Pizza lovers in Carencro will soon have a big, new local dining option. The Lafayette-based Pizza Artista franchise is just days away from opening a new version of the fast-casual restaurant, which will include table service, a full bar and new additions to the menu, in a much larger space in Carencro. It’s called Pizza Amore by Pizza Artista. Pizz...
Riccardo Muti becomes Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s music director emeritus for life
Riccardo Muti will become the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s music director emeritus for life starting next season. The announcement was made on the stage of Orchestra Hall on Friday night after a performance of Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis,” the start of Muti’s final subscription weekend as music director. His tenure began with the 2010-11 season. Mu...
The Shoe Museum in Small-Town Veneto is Bonkers but Beautiful
When I first heard about a “Shoe Museum” in small-town Italy, I wasn’t exactly brimming with enthusiasm. “But it has a fascinating collection of women’s footwear from the 1940s to the present day!” argued its proponents. I politely replied with an “Oh, cool. But I’m not really sure that’s my thing.” Guys and girls, sometimes in life you have to adm...
Freccero named East Longmeadow Fourth of July parade grand marshal
There are fewer recognitions in East Longmeadow more prestigious than being named grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade. This year, that recognition was given to Richard Freccero. “I informed Rich of his selection, and he was very honored to be chosen,” said Carl Ohlin, chair of the East Longmeadow Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshall Selectio...