Sitting in the imposing shadow of Mt. Etna, the streets of Catania are dominating by the Sicilian volcano. One of the best places to see the volcano is from the wide, straight avenue that is aptly named Via Etnea. My favorite place to enjoy the view, the buzz of the city, and some of the […]
Category Archives: Italy
20
Feb
Feb
From the Alps to the pink beach of Sardinia, Italy is full of natural wonders. But when traveling outside of Bari, I was introduced to one in Puglia that I had never heard of: the grotte di Castellana. The cave system can be found near the town of Castellana and it is absolutely mesmerizing. The […]
01
Feb
Feb
To put it simply: there are two ways to say good night in Italian. It depends on if you want to wish someone a good night, or if you are truly saying “good night” before going to bed. Buona notte: This is the literal translation of “good night” in Italian. Buona = good, notte = […]
29
Jan
Jan
Pasticerria Tonolo is one of the most famous pastry shops in Venice. While it can be hard to say no to gelato, in Venice I always prefer to find a chocolate fix and Tonolo has an amazing selection of sweets. Located in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, past L’Accademia if you are coming from San Marco, Tonolo […]
29
Jan
Jan
Venice is surrounded by water, which changes with the tides as the lagoon ebbs and flows. As romantic as the lagoon views are, the canals are also filled with motorboats and gondolas a-plenty, so it can be normal to wonder if it is safe to drink the tap water in Venice. Don’t worry – yes, […]
07
Jan
Jan
Every year, Italy celebrates 12 official public holidays. These days of rest and celebration range from national days to religious holidays which are widely observed by a majority of the public. During public holidays in Italy, institutions like schools and post offices will be closed. Most private businesses also close on these official national holidays […]
05
Jan
Jan
Florence is a city that is absolutely renowned for its leather tradition. If you are searching for a Made in Italy handbag or leather jacket to take home, Firenze is the place to get it. However, this fame for leather means that you will find shops peddling counterfeit or imported goods in every corner of […]
01
Jan
Jan
When it comes to superstitions to ward off bad luck and bring all the good luck, Italians are a pretty creative bunch. There are charms, hand gestures, sayings and actions that are all intended to bring good luck in Italy. Many of the superstitions come from the south, but you can find good luck symbols […]