The Roman Forum, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill were the center for public and political life in ancient Rome. What exactly happened in these places that travelers are still drawn to visit over 2,700 years later? Whose footsteps are you walking in as you explore the Palatine Hill or walk through the forum? The ruins themselves are…
Here’s another desert that’s made with Sponge Cake. It’s something of a cake-version of the traditional Tiramisù but just different enough to be a wonderful alternative and a great crowd-pleaser. As we did for the Zuppa Inglese, for this recipe the basic Sponge Cake is baked in a spring-form pan and allowed to grow tall…
Venice is one of the most mysterious Italian cities. With its maze-like streets, Gothic palaces, and gondola-filled waterways, Venice has enough secrets to impress any traveler. This city is more than gondola rides, however. It has a rich history, starting from its inception. Venice, known as the floating city, wasn’t built in the Venetian Lagoon…
Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, who is better known as Sandro Botticelli, was born in 1445 in Florence, Italy during the Italian Renaissance. Sandro’s older brother Giovanni, who was nicknamed Botticello, is credited with giving Sandro the nickname Botticelli, which means “Little Barrel.” Botticelli initially started training as a goldsmith under the guidance of…
There are plenty of reasons why Italy is often considered a notch above the rest – cultural heritage, amazing churches and cathedrals, stunning beaches, impeccable cuisine… But there is one lesser talked about reason which truly makes Italy an architectural marvel – the domes in Italy! The Origin of the Dome | Who Did It…
Crespelle are the Italian equivalents of a French crepes recipe. You can prepare the thin pancakes ahead of time and refrigerate between layers of waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature about 1 hour before using. With this light orange filling and sauce, these Crespelle make for a wonderful desert. If you really want to…
Florence is one of Italy’s true gems, having prestige both as a city of art and stunning architecture and being home to very talented artisans. Visitors might not know exactly what they’re looking for but can rely on knowing they will find something exciting. It’s no surprise that Florence played a major role in the…
Donato di Niccolo was born around the year 1386 and lived until December 13, 1466. He lived and worked in Florence, Italy and became widely known for his sculptures during the Renaissance. You and I know him as simply Donatello. The son of Niccolo di Betto Bardi, Donatello was recognized early on as the son…
The Amalfi Coast is known to many travelers for its sheer beauty and color. The bright yellow lemons and blue sea are just two of the vibrant colors in this area. The villages along the coast, with their orange roofs and many-hued umbrella cafes, make up the dreamy pictorial displays of seashore. This entire area…
Pasta alla Pastora (Shepherd’s Pasta) My husband and I discovered this Pasta alla Pastora recipe while in the beautiful Dolomite mountains (eastern area of the Italian alps) where cattle and sheep graze on the mountain sides and mushrooms are abundant on the forest floors. This pasta condiment is primarily meat (as opposed to a tomato…