The Italian word “ossario” (ossuary) can be traced back to the Latin word osseus, which means boney, and this is, quite literally, exactly what Italy’s ossario are. A resting place for the dead, they have been called crypts, catacombs, and tombs, but none of these words quite get the point across. Ossario are usually rooms […]
When I first heard the phrase “fifth quarter meats,” I asked: What are fifth quarter meats, and how can you get five out of four? The answer to this latter question illuminates the history of Rome’s unique style of cooking. The first quarter of a butchered animal was given to the nobles, the second to […]
When the large food venders rolled in, I knew this was going to be a big one. Lecce features events of all shapes and sizes on a weekly basis each summer, but the biggest celebration of all is the Sant’Oronzo Festival. The streets are lined with elaborate, blazing light displays as well as food and merchandise stands […]
A 45-minute drive from Florence takes you to the very center of Chianti’s wine country. Over the years, Tuscany’s wine country keeps calling me back. Touring there has become one of my favorite things to do in all of Italy. The people are friendly, the wines are delicious, and the twisting roads and rolling hills are […]
The lively city of Naples has a lot to offer, from a 13th-century Gothic cathedral to terrific pizza joints, but the most compelling attraction by far is the National Archeological Museum of Naples – Museo Archeologico Nazionale de Napoli. It is one of the great classical museums of Europe. If you are going to see […]
Some 2,000 years ago, Pompeii was a thriving city of shops, taverns, workshops, theatrical shows, and homes with elaborate courtyards. Then, one disastrous August day, Mount Vesuvius blew. The volcano’s eruption smothered Pompeii and everything in it under 60 feet of ash. There the city lay, untouched, until excavation began in the 18th century.
Common knowledge is that the Italians are on the cutting edge of fashion, industry and nightlife. Becoming environmentally friendly may now be added to the list. The city of Milan seems to be in the forefront of Italian cities getting in the “Green” act. The city recently announced a major Eco update in the form […]
Due volte pendente Pisa, the city of the Leaning Tower, is located northwest of Siena, directly west of Florence. In the 12th Century, when Florence was still caught in the upheaval of the Middle Ages, Pisa was at her apex. Situated on the banks of the Arno just 12 km (7.5 miles) from the Ligurian […]
Ok, so I’ve come around to accepting that there are other things to do in Naples than eat pizza. It was tough though, and took something as tremendous as Naples Underground, or Napoli Sotterranea, to prove it to me. It’s as creepy as any underworld tale, but there’s a friendly guide to take you through […]
A city of two parts; Gallipoli is part Italian main street, part Mediterranean island. The main street portion, Corso Roma, offers great shopping and a number of fine bars and gelaterias, but the island is where the magic is. Don’t worry about booking ferry tickets, however; a short walk on a pedestrian bridge delivers you to […]