Travel

Immerse Italy

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

Italian outside of Italy

Ciao amici, I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving holiday. I skipped Turkey Day this year as I have been in Italy for the past week and half. My journey started in Catania, Sicily where I walked along the seaside, went wine tasting and wandered around this ancient city. I then spent a couple nights in a village between Florence and Bologna where I got some fresh mountain air. After that, I spent a few nights in Florence catching up with friends and riding a bike all over

Language Classes

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

Swiss Italian

Ciao Amici, I just returned from a refreshing vacation in Switzerland. The mountains were gorgeous, people nice, food delicious and the tap water parallel to NYC’s. I started near Bern where they spoke mostly German then to Lausanne which was completely in French, I speak neither of those languages and was thrilled that I could use Italian, especially where English wasn’t even an option. Italian is the third official language of Switzerland and is predominately spoken i

Wine

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