The artist known as Raphael was born in the pretty little city of Urbino in 1483. After spending much of his early career in Tuscany and Umbria, Raphael came to Rome at the request of the Pope. The High Renaissance artist spent the last 12 years of his life in Rome, creating a massive […]
05
Apr
Apr
The last place I visited before Italy went into a full national lockdown was Venice. I love the city and was so lucky to be there in the quiet of late January. One of the things of my Venetian bucket list is to take a class from Row Venice, a female-run non-profit of all women […]
04
Apr
Apr
The kitchen can be a place to turn to for comfort. Perhaps there is a trusted family recipe that always brightens your day, or maybe it is the place you go when you want to find new ways to nourish yourself and your family. If you need a little company, these are the best Italian […]
02
Apr
Apr
In case you need your dose of goosebumps for the day, this performance by young guitarist Jacopo Mastrangelo should hit the spot. As church bells finishing sounding and the sun sets in the background, Jacopo hits the first notes of a song by beloved Italian composer Ennio Morricone. The song was created for Sergio Leone’s […]
31
Mar
Mar
Towering Pandoro and Panettone cakes may reign supreme in Italy at Christmas, but Easter is all about the sweet known as Colomba di Pasqua. The cake takes its name from its shape – baked in the form of a dove, or colomba in Italian. The symbol of peace, as well as a sign of spring, […]
30
Mar
Mar
Sitting at home while Italy is struggling can make us feel helpless. If you have been wondering about how to help or where to make a donation to Italy, I have put together this list of organizations and initiatives. There are many many ways to support Italy in the future, particularly by planning a trip […]
28
Mar
Mar
2020 marks 500 years since the death of Rennaissance genius Raphael. After years of planning, Rome was set to mark the anniversary with a landmark exhibit of Raphael in Rome. This is the largest-ever exhibit of Raphael anywhere in the world, but it was sadly opened for just a few days before all cultural institutions […]
27
Mar
Mar
Italy has been locked down for more than two weeks as the staggering death toll from the novel virus continues to rise. In the first days, Italians sang from their balconies in solidarity but things are much quieter now as the reality of the awful situation settles over the nation and the world. I don’t […]