The latest news from the experts in Italian Travel
Holy cow! Did you know that Italian bakers produce 117 million panettone and pandoro cakes every Christmas? The population of Italy is only 50-something million. Obviously many of those cakes are being exported. Who knew the Italian Christmas cake industry was worth 579 million euros per year? That’s why, according to Reuters, manufacturers are calling for strict rules governing the …
She’s in a nativity scene of course…Okay, back up. Naples is known for its artisans who excel in creating handmade presepi (nativity scenes) – there’s a whole street of shops selling presepi the city’s Spanish Quarter. Each year the offerings get more creative and this year, Gennaro di Virgilio made figurines of American presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John …
Is there someone one your Christmas list who is planning a trip to Rome or who can’t get enough of the Eternal City? Consider these unique presents: Dream of Rome Travel Gift Basket Roma Decoupage Window Box Roma Decoupage Bucket In the Footsteps of Popes Book – Autographed by the Author La Dolce Vita Collector’s Edition DVD Set
Food is an essential part of the Italian experience. What do Italians eat during holiday celebrations? Christmas Eve: The meal centers on fish, in the Catholic tradition to abstain from meat the night before a major holiday. La Vigilia di Natale (the vigil) is also called The Feast of the Seven Fishes. The origin of the “seven” is somewhat of …
Christmas Market (Il Mercato di Natale) in Piazza Santa Croce November 28 to December 16, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Forty-nine exhibitors from 13 European countries will be selling their wares: Christmas decorations from Germany, reindeer furs from Finland, typical sweets from Austria, China-bone from England, dolls and glass from Hungary and amber from Poland.Ice Skating in Piazza della Libertà …
Looks like religion and technology have collided again in Italy. Italians – and indeed many Catholics around the world – are known for carrying small pictures (called santini) of saints in their wallets. That may be a thing of the past sometime soon as Reuters reports that a new Web site, santiprotettori.com is now offering to send one of a …
My friend Joe Brancatelli asks, “Who doesn’t crave a little dolce vita for the holidays?” If you do and you like flying business class, act today to take advantage of Alitalia’s business fare sale. In an article this week, Joe writes, “And at least on the surface, Alitalia’s grandiosely named Magnifica Class is a bargain for as little as $775 …
Abruzzo has so many facets and one of them is that is an incredible place for seeing religious relics. Here’s an excerpt from our special report: The town of Lanciano is home to the first Eucharistic miracle recorded by the Catholic Church. During an 8th century mass, after the consecration, the host was turned into human flesh and the wine …
What’s the most magical gift you can give someone (including yourself!) this holiday season? How about a week of cultural and personal enrichment in one of the most beautiful places in the world? Tuscany Get a jump start on your New Year’s intentions and make 2008 your most amazing year yet! Join executive coach Margarita Rozenfeld and Dream of …
gI just posted below about the book I am currently reading, The Lost Ravioli Recipies of Hoboken. . I want to share a passage from the book that I found intriguing enough to mark the other night. Author Laura Schenone writes: By 1920, nine million people – about one-quarter of Italy’s citizens – lived outside the country, writes historian Carol …
