Back in 2014, when I first set out to write The Invention of Sicily, I began, naturally, by reading all the history books, novels, newspapers, and travel guides I could get my hands on.
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Insider travel tips
Travel&Living
[Photo: The view towards San Francesco della Vigna, one of our chosen secret spots in Venice, from the Campanile di San Marco.]
Our series on little-known sites in Italy’s most visited cities continues with Venice, a much-celebrated destination of which most visitors only scratch the surface.
Here are five fun spots to go beyond the usual.
Food&Wine
“Let’s go for a chiancata”: this is how an invitation for a stroll through Putignano’s old town is often extended. It refers to the path traced by the main street running along the elliptical layout of the town and paved with the traditional flat, smooth white stones called chianche or chiancarelle, also used as roof tiles for local houses and trulli.
Fabulous foodie guides
Food&Wine
Along the Tuscan border sits Lake Trasimeno, situated in a north-west pocket of Umbria and just a stone’s throw away from some of the most prominent Sangiovese producers in the world.
Food&Wine
Though nominally part of Italy, Sardinia is wildly different when it comes to the language, the culture, and even the terrain. It’s no surprise then—when you consider the many millennia of Phoenician, Arab, Moorish, French, and Italian influences—that the cuisine also has its own unique identity.
Food&Wine
Seven hundred years ago this September, Italy’s most famous poet, Dante Alighieri, died in Ravenna, after years of exile from his beloved Florence. He wrote his iconic poem, The Divine Comedy, while living in Verona under the protection of Cangrande I della Scala.
Italian Language lessons
Art&Culture
The first thing that comes to mind when someone talks about Italy is typically food. The rich gastronomic tradition is a huge part of the Italian heritage and undoubtedly one of the most pleasant experiences. But what about food for your soul? The contribution of Italy to the world’s artistic legacy is priceless, and the number of museums in this little country is impressive.
Travel&Living
In one of our previous articles, we got to know the direct object pronouns in Italian and learned how to use them correctly. As you may remember, direct object pronouns indicate a person or a thing affected by some action:
Art&Culture
The choice to learn Italian usually comes from a sense of romance or passion for the country and its people. Yet, those who stick with their studies often lose the sense of romance to periods of utter frustration and confusion. Italian grammar, as grammar in general, is not always logical, and the list of exceptions to the rules seems to be longer than the list of rules itself.
Exclusive recipes
Dolce
Moist brioche cake soaked in sweet rum syrup, rum babá is a favorite Neapolitan dessert. It’s so beloved that there’s even a Neapolitan expression: Sì nu babbà, “Like a babá,” to describe a particularly nice person.
Dolce
Coffee and a cornetto—or other pastry—usually enjoyed standing at the counter of the local bar, is the daily breakfast of millions of Italians. But if you are traveling around the country, staying at a hotel or agriturismo, you will likely be treated to a breakfast buffet featuring an array of freshly baked jam tarts (crostate di marmellata), ring cakes (ciambelle) and other simple cakes.
Dolce
Amaretti cookies are ubiquitous in bakeries throughout Italy. They can be large or small, crunchy or soft, rolled in sugar, topped with cherries, or spiked with cocoa or lemon zest. Typically, amaretti are made with finely ground almonds, but in Sicily, you’ll also find them made with pistachios, or a mix of pistachios and almonds.
Culture Vulture deep dives
Art&Culture
Why do politicians often have a reputation for being deceitful, underhand, dishonest….?
Art&Culture
2020 marked the five hundredth anniversary of the death of Raffaello Sanzio, an Italian Renaissance artist whose influence on later generations can hardly be overestimated.
Food&Wine
Seven hundred years ago this September, Italy’s most famous poet, Dante Alighieri, died in Ravenna, after years of exile from his beloved Florence. He wrote his iconic poem, The Divine Comedy, while living in Verona under the protection of Cangrande I della Scala.
Artisan shopping secrets
Style&Design
In Florence, city of masterpieces, artisan traditions have flourished for centuries. It’s a joy to discover the abundance of shops where talented workers dedicate themselves to techniques handed down through generations and also bring new ideas to this city where creativity has long been nurtured.
Style&Design
Since ancient times, residents of the Italian peninsula have pulled coral and seashells from the waters of the Tyrrhenian and the Adriatic, using the bounty of the seas to make some of Italy’s most beautiful adornments.
Style&Design
The breathtaking beauty of Venice ranges from the dazzling Piazza San Marco to the delicate traditions of its artisans. It’s a pleasure to slow down and wander into a shop to watch a signora making lace or stringing glass beads. The artisans you meet are happy to share their passions with travelers, and a souvenir from the experience will bring back happy memories for a lifetime.
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