Italy is probably more often associated with wine, but there is also a long history of liqueurs (often bitter to help with digestion). As a result, there are fantastic combinations of bitters, sparkling wines, seasonal fruits, fresh herbs, to create mixers and garnishes for classic cocktails. While young Italians certainly go out for a night […]
Category Archives: Life in Italy
27
Sep
Sep
Wine is a part of the culture of the cuisine in Italy. A glass of wine is a common feature at both lunch and dinner, and let’s not forget the evening tradition of aperitivo. It is rare to drink to get drunk – that would be considered poor form or “una brutta figura.” But of […]
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, […]
14
May
May
I was instantly charmed the first time I was handed the keys to my very first Italian apartment. The long skeleton key seemed implausible. It was about four inches high with two prongs and looked nothing like the serrated house keys of my childhood. These long skeleton keys remain the norm in Italy, where reinforced […]
17
Apr
Apr
One of the things that I really cherish about my life in Italy are the small social interactions that revolve around food. This can mean shopping at a local market to interact with the vendors, making small talk with the barista over a morning caffè, and of course, sitting down for an aperitivo. Aperitivo in […]
02
Jan
Jan
I am not an Italian real estate expert, but I have had plenty of recent experience in moving in Rome. When I mentioned recently that we had considered signing an 8-year lease, some people outside of Italy seemed surprised. I thought I would share a quick guide to rental agreements in Italy. Many Italian rental […]
25
Dec
Dec
I have always loved Christmastime in Italy. From small towns to big cities, there are so many decorations and lots of holiday cheer that all adds up to beautiful places to see for the holidays. I also love that the Italian word for Christmas is Natale – very close to my own name. For weeks […]