There is some concern among Romans over the fate of their Eternal City if current “rowdy” social behaviors continue to overshadow the Rome they used to know. Peter Kiefer of the International Herald Tribune reports, “As a city, Rome remains a very safe destination for visitors. The rowdiness of its night life is on par with, and often does not …
Italy Events Calendar – Verona Opera Under the Stars
In honor of the launch of our new Italy online events calendar, I’d like to tell you about my favorite summer event – taking in an opera under the stars at the Arena di Verona. It is a must for any opera lover. The Roman amphitheater which holds 22,000 people is the best preserved structure of its kind. Almost every …
Stray Animals in Italy Urgently Need Your Help
Anyone who knows me or has followed my work closely knows that my two passions in life are ITALY and DOGS (as well as animals in general). It is so difficult to see how many stray animals there are in Italy and how abandoning one’s pet before vacation seems to be a common occurrence among Italians. I have LONG wanted …
Sicily’s Last Fishnet Maker Dies
Antonio Vultaggio, the last Sicilian fishnet maker, has died at the age of 78, according to Italy Magazine. There’s something so special about Italian tradition that makes younger countries like the U.S. drool with envy since their history and ancestors only date back a few hundred years. And its stories like this one that make one realize how important it …
Dream of Italy Wins Newsletter Award!
We’re giving ourselves a pat on the back here at Dream of Italy. Our five-year-old newsletter has been named “Best Consumer Subscription Newsletter 2007″ by the respected industry publication The Newsletter on Newsletters. A big shout out to everyone on the team who keeps this publication going – interns, researchers, proofreaders, writers and especially, Kim Leaird, who designs the newsletter …
More Celebrities Tie the Knot in Italy
Rocker Rod Stewart married his longtime girlfriend Penny Lancaster Saturday in a low-key ceremony on the Ligurian coast. According to London Net, “The couple, who have a one-year-old son, Alastair, tied the knot in Santa Margherita Ligure at the impressive Villa Durazzo, watched only by Penny’s parents, Sally and Graham.After the ceremony, Rod and Penny were pictured smiling and waving …
News from Rome: Talk About a Wrong Turn
If you’ve ever been to Rome, or any Italian city for that matter, you know that the streets can be a bit confusing. Add to the equation an out-of-towner, who had a little too much to drink that night, trying to navigate the mind-boggling streets at four in the morning. This is exactly what happened to one 24-year old Colombian …
Concert Series Abound Near Siena This Summer
If you love music, Tuscany is the place to be this summer . In addition to the three annual music festivals already in place in the city of Siena, this year there are three new concert series slated for nearby towns. The first three-concert series will be held June 28 to 30 at a private estate about 45 minutes south …
And Where Do Your Olives Come From?
Olive oil tastings are becoming increasingly popular as people are beginning to recognize the intricacies in taste and consistency among oils. They can even be infused with flavors like lemon, garlic, basil, and fig, which gives it a subtle, but noticeable bite. In fact, last night I attended a “cooking with olive oil” class and it quickly became obvious that …
John Grisham Tells Tale of American in Italy
The Italian landscape beckons authors to set their romance novels against the rolling hills and quaint Medieval villages that have readers longing to jump on the next plane to Florence. Even author John Grisham has been inspired to set several of his novels in Italy – the recent release The Broker takes place in Bologna. His forthcoming novel Playing for …