A Personal Guide to Travel and Life in Italy

This personal guide to travel and life in Italy is culled from over 20 years of experience living and working in Italy.  Get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to live in Italy, my favorite places to go in Italy, my recommended hotels and restaurants in Italy and even the darker side of life in Italy and how to cope with its mind-numbing bureaucracy. I’ll cover lots of different topics from luxury to adventure travel in Italy, Italian politics, culinary travel in Italy, Italian language, customs and traditions, as well as how I personally became an expert on Italian furnace parts.

Limoncello Recipe – Make Homemade Limoncello

Ever wondered how to make limoncello? Try your hand at homemade limoncello, with this easy limoncello recipe. [more...]


Lemon Cake Recipe from Sicily

When lemons are in profusion in Sicily, this easy Sicilian lemon cake recipe is a must. Find lots of other uses for lemons, too. [more...]


Arance Rosse – Blood Oranges from Sicily

Winter is the season for arance rosse, the blood oranges of Sicily, with the tarocco orange being the most highly prized. Find out why. [more...]


Bastardoni-Big Bastards: Prickly Pears of Sicily

When you hear vendors hollering "bastardoni" in Sicily, it’s the season for the prickly pears known as "big bastards." Legend has it that this traditional food found in markets in Italy is the result of a feud. [more...]


Traditional Christmas Nougat in Italy–Perfect Almond Torrone

A visit to torrone heaven in the small town of Giarratana, Sicily. At the Torronificio Trapani, I watched how to make almond torrone, a traditional Christmas nougat that is popular all over Italy. [more...]


Almond Milk Recipe – Latte di Mandorla from Sicily

The trials and tribulations of making the perfect latte di mandorla, with this traditional almond milk recipe from Sicily. [more...]


It’s Hot: Almond Harvest in Sicily

The almond harvest in Sicily at the Mastri di San Basilio farm takes place at the height of summer. Join Anita as she ventures into the August heat in search of pizzuta almonds fresh off the tree. [more...]


Italian Food Traditions-Preserve Capers in Salt

When the hot summer is in full swing, capers spring to life. Follow an Italian food tradtion and learn how to pick and preserve capers in salt. [more...]


Celebrations in Italy – Festival of San Sebastiano in Sicily

The festival of San Sebastiano in Sicily is a big deal - not to be missed for the colorful mix of religion and folklore - with stunning special effects that will blow your mind. Join the patron saint celebrations in Palazzolo Acreide and experience a festa you will not soon forget. [more...]


The Sour Cherry Syrup Saga

Sciroppo di amarene is a tart cherry syrup made from sour cherries and makes a refreshing summertime drink. Traditional in Italy as a beverage or to flavor a grattachecca snow cone. [more...]


Italy Travel Guide
Italy Travel Guide