TV host and best-selling travel guidebook author Rick Steves openly expresses his deep appreciation for Italy. It's actually his all-time favorite country in Europe. While his favorite Tuscan escape is Volterra, the most underrated hill town in Italy, Steves is also fond of the popular San Gimignano. On his website, he describes the enchanting San...
Raymond DiBiasi, a flight attendant based in Philadelphia, always knew Sicilian heritage was in his blood, but he never knew it would become a living part of his story. His grandfather emigrated to the U.S. more than a century ago, and family lore suggested no relatives remained in Sicily. But in 2015, his genealogy research revealed a thrilling tr...
To understand how Lucca has always been tied to its independence, one might begin with the story of Francesco Burlamacchi, a Lucca politician born in 1498, who became Gonfaloniere of the Republic of Lucca in 1533. His political project was to unite all the states of Tuscany under a single republican federation, following a rebellion that was suppos...
Theo’s Italian is a restaurant under the Cunningham Restaurant Group umbrella. Located in Plainfield, Theo’s Italian serves a variety of Italian dishes, including pasta, salads, appetizers, and sandwiches. The restaurant’s menu is designed to offer a wide range of Italian cuisine options, ensuring there is something for everyone. They stopped by th...
I’m standing inside a cave where the walls hold black and white photographs of the family who once lived here. In one, the children are lined up in front of a large bed; in another, there’s a donkey in the kitchen. Furniture and domestic props laid carefully around me recreate the home as it once looked, complete with plastic animals to represent h...
Although, less prominent than New York’s Ellis Island, Philadelphia was home to what was once the third largest immigration port in the country: Pier 53 on the Delaware River. It was in 1873 that the Washington Avenue Immigration Station began its operations. Arriving immigrants first disembarked at Lazaretto Station at Essington for health inspect...
There are destinations that make traveling an even more unique and special experience, capable of instilling pure emotions made of art, history and culture, unmistakable flavors and scents. Places like the splendid Ragusa, a masterpiece city of baroque art to experience in the wonderful setting of Val di Noto, a territory part of the Unesco heritag...
Seattle might be known for its coffee culture and stunning waterfront views, but tucked away in its vibrant neighborhoods is an impressive culinary scene that channels the heart and soul of Italy. From rustic trattorias to contemporary Italian bistros, the city’s Italian eateries transport diners on a flavorful journey that highlights both traditio...
Italy offers a variety of breathtaking hiking trails, especially as spring arrives and nature begins to bloom. From the Dolomites to the Amalfi Coast, the top-rated paths are a perfect way to reconnect with the outdoors. AllTrails, a popular platform for hiking enthusiasts, has compiled a list of the 10 most highly rated trails in Italy, all with a...
Made in Italy innovation for recycling and sustainability has many excellent stories to tell. Today, we talk about a smart trash bin capable of handling any type of waste and automatically sorting it. In short, it's a solution to the problem of proper disposal and recycling: for example, does Tetra Pak go with paper, plastic, or unsorted waste? It...
A longtime friend of the NIAF and an active member of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, Congressman LaFalce also served as dinner chairman for the Foundation’s 18th Anniversary Gala Dinner in 1993. He served three different districts from 1975 to 2003 in the U.S. House of Representatives, dedicating his life to public service and uplif...
A Holy Year. A Jubilee Year— a year of prayer and plenary indulgence for the Catholic Church. Easter, the most theologically significant celebration and the heart of the liturgical year. In the midst of it all, Rome remains an undisputed and privileged destination, especially with the arrival of spring and the first long weekends of the season. Thi...