It’s Carnival, or Mardi Gras, week in Italy. And our little town, like many others, holds a traditional parade and a masked street party every year. But no Italian carnival celebration in Italy is more famous than that of Venice. The word carnival literally means to say goodbye to the flesh. The celebration is a […]
Wherever you go in Italy, it seems love is in the air! From Venice and its gondola rides to Verona and Romeo and Juliet, Italy is known as one of the most romantic destinations in the world. And especially on Valentine’s Day, Italy almost seems made for love! But Italy isn’t just for lovers. There’s something for everyone! […]
My husband and I have mostly given up Christmas. Because of the increase in materialism, not because we’ve become Scrooges. Finding true meaningful spirituality amidst the commercial trappings became increasingly difficult. So for several years we did little during the holidays. Then I began to look at Advent. And I found what I call the […]
Autumn here in Italy is a special season, one of my favorites! In small towns, like ours, the smell of wood smoke hangs in the crisp, clean air. Grapes are fermenting into fine wines. And olives, pressed into green gold, glisten in their bottles. But as an American, my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. Even though […]
Autumn in Italy is a wonderful season! Mostly warm and balmy – almost warm enough for sunbathing through the first part of November. It’s known as Italy’s Roman Summer, similar to the Indian Summer we used to enjoy back in the USA. But since the early 1900s, Roman summer has been the season for special harvest […]
What better way to wind up the hottest part of summer than with a Ferragosto post, right? Still, I can hear you asking, “Ferragosto? What in the world is that?” Well, it means August vacation. And it’s the official celebration day (on August 15) of the summer vacation from work. Ferragosto is a holiday period […]