While Aosta Valley (ay· ow· stuh   va· lee) is Italy’s smallest region, its rich history and unique landscape are nothing short of grand. Located on the northwestern border of Italy, Aosta Valley lies between France and Switzerland. Its close proximity to other countries makes it a multicultural hub for diverse communities, exquisite food and […]

Although it may sound fishy, the love for Anchovies in Italian cuisine is widespread and has been passed down for generations, with families and friends gathering together to enjoy it for almost every meal. Since its discovery in the seventeenth century, whether it’s used as a main course or a simple garnish, the taste of […]

Bordered by the Ligurian Sea, the Alps region’s hosts many famous attractions and boasts a dense population. Liguria is the place of origin of pesto, a tribute to the large number of pine trees found throughout the region.  This is now a world-wide favorite sauces, made from a combination of basil, pine kernels, olive oil […]

Although Molise used to be combined with nearby Abruzzo, it split off in 1963, making it Italy’s youngest region. Largely undiscovered by most tourists, Molise’s small size and relative obscurity has come to be known as the “Molise Conspiracy.” The Italian public jokes that it does not exist. There’s even a popular book titled Il […]

If you haven’t heard of them yet, prepare to add a line to your grocery list. A member of the pea family, Lupini Beans (also referred to as Lupin or Lupine Beans), have been sweeping the world with their distinctive flavor and ability to be added to dishes or eaten on their own as a […]

Marche (le Marche in Italian) embodies the classic Italian look and feel, with scenic vineyards, storybook worthy castles and, of course, delicious food. Brimming with hills and mountains, Marche faces the Adriatic Sea to the east. Sunrises here shower the region with golden rays while providing a mountainous backdrop from every angle.  At its iconic […]

There’s never a bad season to visit Italy.  But Autumn might just be the best. Temperatures are cooler and the crowds are thinner.  Rates of fare for restaurants and hotels are often scaled back a bit.  And the beautiful scenery is an ample offset to the slightly increased possibility of rain, depending on which part […]

Ferragosto has been celebrated in Italy since 18 B.C.! Originally a holiday that allowed citizens a day rest after weeks of intense hard work harvesting crops, and conveniently named for Emperor Augustus to commemorate his victories in key battles.  In modern-day Italy, Ferragosto celebrations typically begin on August 15 and can last several weeks. Taking […]

Calabria geographically forms the “toe” on the boot-shape of Italy.  It’s almost completely surrounded by water, with the Ionian Sea to the south of it, the Strait of Messina separating it from Sicily,  the Gulf of Taranto to the east, and the Tyrrhenian Sea to its west.  Only the region of Basilicata to the north […]

About 120 miles off the Italian mainland and in the center of the Mediterranean Sea lies Sardinia, an island known for its crystal clear waters and snow white sand.  Rocks on the island date back to the Paleozoic Era, almost five hundred million years ago! Mountains in the area are made of granite, limestone and […]