14 Apr 2014

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

One of the most enjoyable occasions in Italy is the Easter celebration. Easter, which is also known as Pasqua in Italian is actually an important tradition in Italy. The holiday symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Christian religion but, in Italy, Easter is more of a traditional custom than a religious one.

Historically, Easter holiday was marked on every Sunday after the first full moon in spring equinox. Like in other parts of the world, the Italian Easter begins on Good Friday and is celebrated with pomp and festivities all weekend long to Easter Monday, or Pasquetta as the day is known in Italian.

19 Mar 2014

Posted at 00:00h in Food and wine

The truffle is a fruit of the earth that has been well known since ancient times.  There is evidence of the presence of the truffles in the diets of the Sumerian people and at the time of the patriarch Jacob, around 1700 – 1600 B.C.

Anecdotal evidence shows that the truffle, known in Latin simply as a “Tuber”, was particularly appreciated by the Ancient Romans who almost certainly learnt about the culinary uses of this mushroom from the Etruscans.

07 Mar 2014

Posted at 00:00h in Events

Given the unique look of the Venice mask, many travelers are understandably interested in their background.

09d57bc602e33e7dba6fa71480130d41These Venice masks actually have a long and storied history associated with them, since their origins date back centuries.  Some of the first recorded references to them occur in the 12th century, when the Serenissima Repubblica of Venice would celebrate major military victories.

Over the years, they have actually become a standard feature of many celebrations held within the city.  They are nearly universally recognized as Commedia dell'arte, which has added to their overall appeal for many people interested in the local culture of Venice.

Today, there are actually several different types of Venice carnival masks that are worn for these different types of celebrations.

19 Feb 2014

Posted at 00:00h in Testimonials

For well over a decade now Puglia has been the Italian holiday destination to watch.

It’s been dubbed ‘the New Tuscany’ by newspapers and magazines the world over, but it has no real need of such comparsions. The region’s combination of ancient landscapes, warm and welcoming locals, deep-rooted food and wine culture and stunning beaches is unique in mainland Italy.

17 Feb 2014

Posted at 00:00h in Food and wine

Street scene in Burano, ItalyCoffee, or the simple act of sitting around a table chatting over a cup of a pure Italian coffee brew, is an integral part of Italian culture just like wine or the famous Mediterranean cuisine.

Coffee is an essential ingredient of almost every Italian social congregation. The rich Italian coffee tradition is well demonstrated by the region's wide assortment of coffee brews such as cappuccino, macchiato, espresso, and lungo among others.