Florence is well known for its many culinary delights: bistecca alla Fiorentina, hearty ribollita, and savory lampredotto sandwiches. However, while it honors its Tuscan traditions well, it also has a surprisingly contemporary dining scene given its size relative to cities like Milan and Rome. My favorite example is the gorgeous Melaleuca. Melaleuca is an airy […]
Category Archives: Italy
03
Nov
Nov
I would argue that every household in Italy has at least one Moka pot. The 8-sided coffee maker is iconic because it is simple but so very good at making strong, stove-top coffee. Most households have more than one! A small two-shot Moka for single servings, going up to 8- or 12- for when you […]
22
Oct
Oct
Halloween is not yet celebrated in Italy the way that it is in North America, but the holiday is absolutely starting to catch on. You can find spooky decorations, Halloween-themed cookies, and even some events geared towards children. However other traditions like bobbing for apples and even trick or treating are much less common. Halloween […]
30
Sep
Sep
I used to believe that fresh pasta was somehow better than dried pasta. However, living in Italy has proven to be a lesson in many things – and fresh pasta is simply different than dried and each has its beloved place in various recipes. Just know that the idea that fresh pasta is superior is […]
15
Sep
Sep
Jasmine of Questa Dolce Vita was recently sharing her experiences about breastfeeding in Italy, and it made me think about how different social acceptance feels compared to in the United States. I have written about being pregnant in Italy (including being pregnant during our full national lockdown), giving birth in Italy, and what babies eat, […]
19
Aug
Aug
A lot has changed when it comes to payments in Italy. You can now use credit cards widely, but other contactless payment services like Venmo and ApplePay are less common around the country. That means that how much cash to bring to Italy really depends on the kinds of purchases that you plan to make. […]
29
Jun
Jun
I receive a lot of worried messages asking me if it is true that Italians NEVER drink cappuccino after 11 am, and what visitors can do if they really want that coffee fix later in the day. While there is no law in Italy that bans a cappuccino after 11 am, you really won’t find […]
21
May
May
Learning a new language is usually a lifelong process but that does not make it an impossible one. (Or at least that is what I am discovering having already lived in Rome for 10 years). There are always new ways to build understanding, learn new vocabulary, and stretch towards fluency. Depending on your goals, timeline, […]