I was chatting with a student in my office at Swarthmore College when she casually mentioned that she was taking a course in fresco painting. I managed to not leap across the room, but I'm sure I startled her with my over-the-top expression of interest and enthusiasm. I asked if I could see her work … Continue reading 222. Fresco class
A recent article in the New York Times described Italians' dismay at the price of going to the beach. The Tuscan beach town of Viareggio In the weeks surrounding the August 15 Farragosto national holiday, when cities and towns clear out and Italians head for the sea, prices for an umbrella and two chairs have … Continue reading 221. Beach Clubs
I am an enthusiastic, if mediocre, cook, with not surprisingly, a special interest in Italian cuisine. So the first minute after Swarthmore College, my workplace, announced a session on pasta-making as part of its Summer of Learning program of fun activities, I signed up. I have tried to make fresh pasta several times over the … Continue reading 220. Pasta School
Okay, I'll admit it. Even though it appears my invitation got lost in the mail, I read every word and looked at every photo of the New York Times' coverage of this weekend's Bezos-Sanchez wedding in Venice. Photo credit: Associated Press Venice, which is besieged by out-of-towners on a normal day, is none too thrilled … Continue reading 219. Wedding Bells
Of course, everyone knows that Italy has arguably the greatest art in the Western world, and believe me, I saw plenty of it. From the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Rome to the Capodimonte in Naples to the Brera in Milan, I saw more Virgin Marys than you can shake a stick at. The artist seems … Continue reading 218. Artsy
My father always said that at times of great emotion -- joy, disappointment, worry, celebration -- he turned to food. It would be impossible to argue that food is not the central feature of Italian life. Community, family, tradition, history, the economy: they all have a major food component. World-wide, it is no surprise that … Continue reading 217. Our Daily Bread
I’ve always been interested in Calabria. But its location at the tip of the Italian boot made it challenging to get to, without a good amount of extra time for logistics. This trip, though, time was not a problem, to an extent it may never be again. I had to grab my chance. We stayed … Continue reading 216. Calabria
I’ve come to Italy enough times over the years that I don’t feel a need to have every moment preplanned and locked down, as I might going elsewhere. I’m headed to Milan today, for example, and made my hotel reservation three days ago. (I see people on Italy travel Facebook groups wondering if it’s too … Continue reading 215. Expecting the Unexpected
I’m a sucker for salt water. Having grown up close enough to the Atlantic to have the air smell briney when the wind blew a certain way, I am always going to seek out a salt-water destination if the opportunity arises, even a slightly cheesy one like the Jersey Shore. My all-time favorite, of course, … Continue reading 214. Tale of Two Beach Towns
I am fascinated by Fascist architecture. This building helpfully has a Fascista label You don’t have to be an expert to identify them; they are everywhere in Italy and you can’t miss them. Massive, hulking, solid, graceless: they hit you over the head with a comic-book version of strength and masculinity. (I can think of … Continue reading 213. Fascist buildings
Gigi's Italia 