Culture & History

Immerse Italy

Go for the Gold Risotto

Ciao amici, I hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying this year’s winter Olympics in Milan. The breathtaking views of the Alps and chic city shots have been making me hungry for one of Milan’s signature dishes: il risotto alla milanese (risotto with saffron). This cozy rice porridge starts with butter as Milan is in continental Italy, far north of the olive groves used to make olive oil. While cooking the Carnaroli rice in broth, a pinch of saffron is added, bringing s

Food

Le Olimpiadi: The Olympics Return to Italy

Ciao amici, This past weekend brought over a foot of snow and freezing temps to New York. I dislike being cold, but thinking positively, I feel more excited about the Winter Olympics in Northern Italy! I always prefer the winter over summer Olympics because the games are more adventurous. Which popular winter sport do like the most? Figure Skating: Patinaggio artistico Ice Hockey: Hockey sul ghiaccio Snowboarding: Snowboard Ski Jumping: Salto dal trampolino Speed Skating: P

Travel

Il Presepe: The Italian Nativity Scene

Ciao amici, I hope everyone’s holiday season is going smoothly so far, we just have a few days left before Christmas! If you’ve ever been to Italy around Christmastime, you will notice that every piazza, church and home has a nativity scene set up. Big or small, the nativity scene ( Il presepe in Italian) is a fundamental decoration because unlike Christmas trees or Santa Claus, it originated in Italy. The first nativity scenes were painted on the walls of catacombs by ear

Food

Retracing Steps in Sicily

Ciao amici, In just over two weeks I’ll be heading back to Italy! I plan to make my usual stops in Florence and Rome, but I booked a few extra days on my trip so I can spend some time in Sicily. Like so many others, I have a special connection with Sicily. While I was an undergrad in Rome, I went to Siracusa for a summer to study Sicilian literature and culture. I visited ancient archeological sites, jumped into the Mediterranean during breaks between classes and made life-

Travel

Italy's Big Bridge Idea

Ciao amici, Have you ever wished there was an easier way to get to Sicily? Well, in about 10 years, Italy might have one! Last week, Italy’s government approved plans for a suspension bridge that would connect Sicily to the mainland. If completed, it would be the world’s longest suspension bridge, spanning over two miles long and include six lanes, 3 in each direction, with a subway line in the middle and pedestrian walkways on the sides. Construction could start as soon

Travel

Tennis: The Sinner Effect

Ciao Amici, With the news cycle spinning a thousand miles per hour, the Italian victory at Wimbledon by Jannik Sinner on July 13th seems like ages ago, but the sports world in Italy is still celebrating. This win is not only significant because it is the first time an Italian has ever won the tennis championship, but it also points the spotlight on a different kind of being Italian. Clearly, his name, Jannik Sinner, doesn’t exude Italian origins like his predecessor, Fa

Culture & History

Italian Cherries and Friends

Ciao amici, Who doesn’t love a bowl of cherries? There’s an Italian saying, “Kisses are like cherries: one always leads to another” and as someone who just got married two weeks ago, I couldn’t agree more! Ciliegia (chee-lee-eh-jah), cherry, is one of the few difficult words to spell in Italian. I’ll spare you the etymology of this word so we can just sit back and enjoy the cherry flavors Italy has to offer. Cherries are grown all over Italy with Puglia, the heel, bein

Food