The best things to do in Puglia
Over the past couple of years, Puglia has become one of Italy's trending destinations – but there is more to the region than just photo-worthy locations. Puglia is home to numerous folkloric traditions, ancient histories and diverse landscapes, from the dramatic coastline along the Parco Nazionale del Gargano to the scattered trulli in the Valle d...
Art Institute of Chicago exhibit gives a rare, up-close glimpse of 2 Caravaggio works
Art museums like to offer exhibitions of different size and scope. At one end of the spectrum are blockbusters, attention-grabbing shows with dozens of works that shake up the understanding of an artist or movement or put forward some novel thematic treatment. At the other, are focused, jewel-box presentations. Instead of trying to make any big art...
Gaetano Pesce’s dream of an inhabited bridge across the Strait of Messina
A few years ago, we heard about the project for a bridge across the Strait of Messina. It had been drawn up by a group of professionals who, I believe at the modest cost of 300 million euros, envisaged a copy of San Francisco’s Golden Gate. It was a disgrace on several counts. The most serious being: “Italy does not copy.” More recently, Italy’s pr...
Roscioli NYC: A Culinary Journey from Rome to the Big Apple
In December 2021, New York’s MacDougal Street wine bar and restaurant, Niche Niche, had the privilege of hosting Rome’s renowned Salumeria Roscioli for a brief pop-up event. Little did anyone know that this momentous occasion would sow the seeds of a remarkable partnership. Two years down the road, they celebrate the birth of the very first Rosciol...
10 Things You Might Not Know About Italian Coffee Culture
Even if you've never explored the winding streets of Rome, strolled along Venice's canals, or dined on the best pizza in Naples, there's a lot you can learn about Italian coffee culture without ever visiting Italy. Italians take coffee very seriously, often having up to three — or more — cups of coffee every day. From cappuccino to espresso, and c...
Fundraiser to showcase the magical world of vintage Murano
Maribel Weisz of Antique Resources and Stephanie Sarris of Bellehaven Designs will celebrate Italian American Heritage Month by hosting a charity event they’re calling “Che Bellezza! An Evening of Italian Culture and Murano.” The fundraiser will run from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 19 at Antique Resources, 1741 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Boasting the largest c...
Lake Bolsena, the largest of volcanic origin
The journey to discover the 6 most beautiful lakes in Italy ends in beauty on the blue water of Lake Bolsena, fifth largest in Italy, located in Northern Lazio, between Umbria and Tuscany. It covers 114 square kilometers and has a perimeter of 43 kilometers. Moreover, it is the largest volcanic lake in all of Europe. Lake Bolsena, in fact, is locat...
How to Create Your Own Italian Vacation in Dallas
Summer 2023 is coming to a close, and Dallasites have returned from their trips across the country or around the globe. For many of us, the best thing about the season is the opportunity to travel and experience life in a different place for a little while. In June, I did just that on a wine-focused trip to two wine regions in Italy: Veneto and Abr...
3 Common Words You Didn't Know Fellini Coined
In mid-century Italy, going to the cinema was the thing to do. The release of a new Totò film, the most recent Fellini, or Sergio Leone’s latest western were unmissable events. The next day’s water cooler chatter, newspaper headlines, and dinnertime gossip would revolve around new releases and their lingo, and to not be up to date was a special for...
Miss Little Italy winner from Fox Chapel inspired by participation, plans to compete in other pageants
Kara DiNatale of Fox Chapel really liked participating in pageants when she was a little girl. But around the time she turned 10, soccer and lacrosse left her little time to focus on pageants. But when the 19-year-old Duquesne University marketing student was asked to consider entering the Miss Little Italy pageant during last month’s Little Italy...
Roseto Valfortore, city of honey and truffles within the Daunian mountains
Anciently known as Rosito or Rosetum already in Roman age, within the Daunian mountains there is a small village which, beyond appearances, contains an important history and nowadays is a destination renowned above all for its natural landscapes and finest food, such as honey and truffles: we are in Roseto Valfortore! The curious name of this town...
This Chicago pizzeria was just named one of the best in the world
Earlier this year, two Chicago spots were ranked among the best pizzerias in America. Now, 50 Top Pizza has released its 2023 rankings of the 100 best pizzerias in the world and one local favorite has been honored. Spacca Napoli, known for its Neapolitan-style pies, makes the list at No. 93. The restaurant has been dishing out authentic thin crusts...