Toscana Sun Festival

The Toscana Sun Festival 2011 takes place from July 30 through August 7 in the town of Cortona.
Enjoy a week of music, fine arts and culinary delights in this delightful medieval town. For more information or to obtain tickets visit http://www.tuscansunfestival.com/.

Ciao e a presto,

Summer Get-A-Way in Rimini

Located on the Adriatic Sea, Rimini is one of the most popular summer vacation spots on the coast.
When you tire of the sea and sand, there are a few worthwhile places to see in the village square. Inside the Tempio Malatestiano, the official cathedral church of Rimini, is a faded yet spectacular fresco by Piero della Francesca.  Other chapels contain beautiful works of art, tombs, and statues of prophets. Don’t leave the square before taking a photo beside Rome's oldest surviving arch, the Arco d'Augusto erected in 27 BC.

Rimini has more than 1,000 hotels and restaurants. My favorites are: La Locanda di San Martino for fresh seafood and the luxurious 5-star Grand Hotel, http://www.grandhotelrimini.com/en/offers-special-rimini-hotel-italy-offers-weekend-holidays-sea-families.htm and sits right on the beach.
For more information visit the Rimini Tourism Office website www.riminiturismo.it

Ciao e a presto,

Italian Designer Fashion

No trip to La Bella Italia is complete without bringing back the latest fashions from Italy's most prestigious designers.  Look no further than the fashionable hi tech designer outlets located in Roma, Napoli, Venezia, e Milano.  

For "must have" custom made clothes, try  http://www.italyfactoryoutlet.com/ on your next trip!

Ciao e a presto,

Citta di Verona

Spend a romantic weekend in Citta di Verona (located in the Veneto Region) professing your love as Romeo professed his love to Juliet beneath the balcony of the Casa di Guiletta. Tour the city's best attractions such as the Teatro Romano and the Amphitheatre. Check into one of the loveliest Italian boutique hotels http://www.escalusverona.com/and live la dolce vita!

Ciao e a presto,

Vinitaly Italia e Stati Uniti 2011

This year marks the 150 anniversary of the unification of Italy and what better way to celebrate than to taste the best of Italy's food and wine. If you are in the wine or food trade industry, don't miss Italian Wine Week scheduled for January 21-23, 2011 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. The official Vinitaly Expo in Verona will take place on April 7, 2011. For more information visit http://www.vinitaly.com/EN

Ciao e a presto,

Presepio

The first living Nativity Scene (Presepio) originated with St. Francis of Assisi upon his return from the Holy Land. St. Francis' living nativity took place in a cave near Greccio Italy.  A typical presepio has figurines of Mary and Joseph, the infant Jesus in a manger, and three shepherds bearing gifts. If you are celebrating Christmas in Italy and will be in Rome, visit Vatican City to see  a living nativity scene. Other cities with presepio displays include Trento, Verona and Naples. The largest and most elaborate presepi can be found in Rome at the Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Euclide, and on Capitoline Hill. 

On Christmas Eve you can follow the mass celebration with Pope Benedict XVI and stream the live mass from anywhere in the world. The mass will be celebrated in 5 languages: English, Italian, Portuguese, French and Spanish.


http://www.pope2you.net/
http://www.vaticanradio.org/    
http://www.pccs.va/

Buon Natale e Nuovo Anno Felice,

Ciao e a presto,
My Italian Hideaway and All Things Italian

Festa Dei Sette Pesci

Festa dei sette pesci.  

The Feast of the Seven Fishes 

Is a Christmas Eve tradition consisting of serving 7 different seafood  dishes; baccala (salted cod fish) eel, squid, shrimp, octopus, smelt, and lobster. Why 7 fishes?  Some say that the number 7 relates to the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church; seven gifts of the Holy spirit; seven Virtues; and the seven deadly sins.

Here's how to prepare your Festa Dei Sette Pesci http://allrecipes.com//HowTo/feast-of-the-seven-fishes/Detail.aspx 

Buon Appetito

Ciao e a presto,

Political Unrest in Rome

Political unrest in Rome following yesterday's vote -- Silvio Berlusconi narrowly survives vote of confidence by Italian lawmakers.

Ciao e a presto,

Pride of Italy Comes to USA

Breaking news...Italian car maker Fiat brings its Italian pride to the US market.  The Fiat 500 newly designed and technologically advanced hatchback will be sold in the US in 2011. Between 100,000 and 130,000 Fiat 500's will be made starting at around $15,000 USD.
Click on the link to build and customize your own Fiat 500 lhttp://fiatusa.com/en/build_your_own.html To customize choose the color link first.  Piacere!

Ciao e a presto,

Italian Film Director Commits Suicide

Breaking news...Italian film director, Mario Monicelli, leaped to his death from the fifth floor balcony of his hospital room in Rome where he was undergoing treatment for terminal cancer.

Monicelli, a four-time Oscar nominated filmmaker best known for Italian comedies, was 95 years old at the time of his death.

He will be missed by many in the cinema and film industry.

Ciao e a presto,

Temple of Venus

One of Roma's most important archaeological sites has been restored. The Temple of Venus was re-opened to the public after nearly 30 years. The shrine was designed in the 2nd Century AD by Emperor Hadrian and measures 348 feet (106 metres) by 156 feet (48 metres). Tickets to the Temple of Venus are approximately 12 euros or about $16 USD. If you are headed to Rome for the upcoming holidays, it is worthwhile to purchase a ticket which will also give you entry to the Roman Forum, the Palatine and the Colosseum.

Ciao e a presto,

Exquisite Men's Fashion from Canali Brothers

75 years of exquisite men's Italian wear.

View the 2010 -2011 Autumn Winter Collection from Canali Brothers established 1934 in Triuggio, region of Lombardy, province of Monza e Brianza.

www.canali.it/english/homepage.php#/collection/leisure

Ciao e a presto,

Brunello di Montalcino 2004 Riserva

The Best Brunello di Montalcino 2004 Riserva.

Wine Spectator gives Lazzeretti's Brunello di Montalcino 2004 Riserva 95 points. We feel blessed to know the Lazzeretti family, and had the opportunity to taste a barrel sample of the 2004 Riserva while in Montalcino in 2008. Lovely bouquet nose with red berry and balanced tannins. This brunello can easily age 10 years, but who could wait that long! With only 1,200 bottles produced, this Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is well worth the $100 price tag.

Complimenti Marco e Lucia.

Ciao e a presto,

Le Bellezze d'Italia

If you love All Things Italian, you will love the Italian Automobile Show scheduled for this coming Saturday, October 2 from 10:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. right here in Phoenix.

Le Bellezze d'Italia event will feature 70 Italian automobiles from Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lamborghini, Lanica,and of course, the beautiful new red hot 2010 Ferrari 458.

The car show will be held at the Arizona American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th Street, Phoenix. Admission is free. Plenty of music, raffles, and food. For more information go to italiancarshow.com

Ciao e a presto,

Italy's Casinos

Try your luck at any of Italy's gambling casinos- in the north 90 km from Turin you will find Casino de la Valle in the spa town of Saint-Vincent with to die for views. Or head to the coast and mingle with the beautiful people at Casino' San Remo.

Last evening in Venice? Try your luck at the tables at the winter casino Ca' Vendramin Calergi open September thru April. Want to experience Europe's best of the best? Then only Campione d'Italia, an Italian enclave surrounded by Switzerland, will do.



Ciao e a presto,

Buon Ferragosto

Ferragosto, August 15, is a catholic holiday celebrated by all Italians. It's the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It's also a day for giving thanks for the land and for good harvests.

When you hear the word "Ferragosto" it means that Italians go on holiday and head to the beach or mountains.

While many businesses throughout Italy are closed, the new Fodor's Italy 2010 guide will give you plenty of ideas for planning an August vacation. If you like cycling, you'll find a great resource on our blog, Cycling in Italy.

August is great month to travel. Cities are less crowded and you won't have to wait in long lines for entry into tourist attractions.

If you are headed to Siena, plan to attend the Palio www.aboutsiena.com/palio-of-Siena.html

If you love art, music, wine and food, catch the Cortona for the Tuscan Sun Festival www.tuscansunfestival.com before it ends on August 6.

Want to cool off, head to the sea or better yet bypass the busy beaches and head north to Verona for the Summer Opera www.arena.it

Buon Ferragosto,

Ciao e a presto

Eco Holiday

Voted one of the "10 Best Eco Holiday Resorts" in the world, Tenuta di Spannocchia is a working organic farm where you can learn authentic Tuscan cooking.

Located in close proximity to Florence, San Gimignano, and Chianti, the luxurious farmhouses and villas have sweeping views of the property and, while a bit pricey, are worth every penny. Reserve a room in the Fattoria and tour the centuries old Castle and archaeological museum.

For a preview of Tenuta di Spannocchia visit their website at http://www.spannocchia.com/

Ciao e a presto,

Latest Discovery in Roma

Archaeologists exploring underground catacombs in Roma make a remarkable discovery in the St. Tecla catacomb. Using laser technology to burn away calcium deposits, a team of researchers found 4th century A.D. biblical scenes and painted images of Jesus Christ's beloved Apostles John, Andrew, Peter and Paul. The St. Tecla catacomb was first discovered in the late 1950's but unseen by the public. The restoration effort took two years at a cost of 60,000 euros.

Ciao e a presto,

Quando a Roma Manga La Porchetta

Juicy, succulent, aromatic, and slow roasted on a spit until golden brown and tender, nothing beats the smell and taste of a fresh porchetta panino. Careful preparation is what separates the experienced from the inexperienced porchettari "porchetta makers" and no body does it better than the Fratelli brothers Alessio and Claudio Azzocchi. The family business dates back to 1894 in the small hill town of Ariccia, about 45 minutes southeast of Roma or just one stop en route to the Rome airport (Via Portuense, Fiumicino). Not only will you taste the best porchetta in Italy, but you can join in on the fun at the Sagra (festival) di Porchetta in Arricia.

Buon Appetito!

Ciao e a presto,

Breaking News.....

Italian Born Francesca Schiavone wins 2010 French Open!