Some 2,000 years ago, Pompeii, Italy was a thriving city of shops, taverns, workshops, theatrical shows, and homes with elaborate courtyards. Then, one disastrous August day, Mount Vesuvius blew. The volcano’s eruption smothered Pompeii and everything in it under 60 feet of ash. There the city lay, untouched, until excavation began in the 18th century. Today …
The Vatican dominates the art museums of Rome, with its vast collection of treasures, but for me, the Borghese Gallery and Villa has even more appeal. Some of the sculptures here are so beautiful and perfectly crafted, you can only marvel at the genius who created them. Set in acres of landscaped gardens, the villa, …
The Italian word “ossario” (ossuary) can be traced back to the Latin word osseus, which means boney, and this is, quite literally, exactly what Italy’s ossario are. A resting place for the dead, they have been called crypts, catacombs, and tombs, but none of these words quite get the point across. Ossario are usually …
La Spezia (The spice) is a gateway to the Cinque Terre, one of Italy’s most beautiful and romantic spots along the Ligurian coast. It is a quiet and tourist free city and a good place to start when exploring the area. If you want to save a few Euros, the hotels and restaurants are not as expensive …
Have you ever looked at labels on European wine bottles and wondered about the meaning of AOC, DOGC, or QmP? Look no further. In my European Wine Guide series (organized by country), I will take you through a crash course in wine classifications and varietals found in major wine-producing regions throughout Europe. Let’s start …
Romeo and Juliet may only be characters in a play, but they’ve been supporting a lucrative business in the city of Verona for quite a while. Souvenir shops sell figurines of the romantic, doomed couple and hotel ads quote Shakespeare. Tourists cluster in the courtyard under Juliet’s balcony and pose by her bronze statue, touching …
A city of two parts; Gallipoli is part Italian main street, part Mediterranean island. The main street portion, Corso Roma, offers great shopping and a number of fine bars and gelaterias, but the island is where the magic is. Don’t worry about booking ferry tickets, however; a short walk on a pedestrian bridge delivers you …
During a 3-day visit, I discovered that there is more to love about Bologna than its fabulous Bolognese sauce. While I was living near Nice, France, I frequently visited the webpage of the independent Utne Reader. It made me feel connected to my home state of Minnesota and kept me plugged into news and …
The wine world has focused more and more on Puglia, better known as the heel of the Italian boot, because its wines boast high quality and low prices. In a climate that is similar to California’s, Puglia’s vines grow among crops of all kinds, including olive trees, fig trees, grain fields,watermelons, and wild loquats, making …
Aperitivo is Italy’s happiest hour: For the price of a single drink, bars throw in an extensive buffet of traditional and exotic snacks. Usually beginning around five and continuing for two to three hours, aperitivo is one of my favorite Italian customs, and Milan is one of the best places to find it. Whether pausing …