Once again this year, the approach of the month of December awakens in each of us the desire to celebrate the holiday season in the best possible way, perhaps with a short trip or relocation to one of the countless fascinating places in Italy. Among the hottest trends of recent times, a visit to the Christmas markets in Apulia represents a great op...

Chautauqua Italian American Organization CIAO held its annual Christmas Party recently at Manning’s Italian Kitchen. Chairwomen, Lynda Mosher (Community Service Chair) and Nance Ortolano presided over the event. Mosher, chair of the Christmas Stocking Community Service Project, remarked that members went above and beyond with their candy and treat...

It’s true that through the years some Christmas memories fade away, while others are indelible, never to be forgotten. Two of my favorite Christmas memories occurred in 1965 and 1966, and they were deeply interconnected. As the holiday was approaching, two subjects were on my mind. Because my twin sister was seriously ill, I needed to make 1965 Nat...

In Rome, this year, the magic of Christmas has the scents of cedar and larch. The welcoming embrace of the Colonnato del Bernini is the backdrop for a wooden marvel created by 11 skillful artists and craftsmen, a Nativity in the typical style of the Alpi Carniche (Friuli Venezia-Giulia). This year’s presepe in Saint Peter’s Square comes from Sutrio...

The family of late Boston Mayor Tom Menino continues to carry out his legacy through his annual Christmas Eve tradition. For the 29th year, Menino's family teamed up with Catholic Charities Boston to donate toys, food and clothing to more than 300 families in the Bowdoin-Geneva community. Saturday's event marked the 29th annual toy delivery since M...

The Bronx's Egidio Pastry Shop specializes in Sicilian Christmas cookies. NY1 went to each borough and discover some of the city's best kept secrets this holiday season. "News All Day" traveled to Egidio Pastry Shop in Little Italy in the Bronx where they sell special Christmas cookies. For more information and to buy their cookies, go to their web...

The living cribs in Italy are one of the most characteristic traditions of the Christmas period in Italy, which involves the whole family, from the youngest to the oldest. Italy is full of cities, villages, and historic places that lend themselves well to the scenic representation of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The living crib owes its origin...

Not many are familiar with the name “Greccio,” and perhaps not even with the place. This pretty hamlet of 1,500 is located on the Apennines, in the Rieti province of Lazio, and is one of the Borghi più Belli d’Italia. But if you are devout to, or interested in the historical figure of Saint Francis of Assisi you know Greccio is important for the cu...

Are there any foods as rich with nostalgia as those eaten on or around Christmas? Marcel Proust’s epic novel of personal remembrance, In Search of Lost Time, grew to over 3,000 pages following one character’s memory-unlocking bite of a madeleine tea cake; if he’d tasted a bit of honeyed ham instead, I have to think the books would have been three t...

One of the most delightful times anyone can visit Italy is during the holiday season. In the U.S., the Christmas season begins pretty much the day after Halloween. In Italy, it arrives in a much more concentrated package, meant to be savored like a fine Chianti. I have been to Italy twice for Christmas. The first time was in 1999 as a tourist in Ro...