When Castagne and Bocce Come Together.
A sizable bocce tournament was the perfect event for the pairing. Just last Sunday, I tucked my long legs under my chin and jammed [...]
If You’re Accused of Having “Le Braccia Corte” (Short arms)…
Then people are implying that you're stingy. Maybe "le braccia corte" is being used in jest when it's your turn to buy the next [...]
Bocce Ball, Yummy Wood-Fired Pizza, and Generous Italian Friends
Oh, what an afternoon and evening it was! I'm still thinking about it, treasuring this experience of playing bocce ball and eating homemade, wood-fired [...]
How to Say “Take It or Leave It” in Italian
Italian idiomatic expressions are usually a far cry from their English equivalents. And how to express "Take it or leave it" in Italian is [...]
Italy Implements the Green Pass
Today I saw the Green Pass checks in action.For those of you who don’t know, the EU Green Pass is a document showing that an [...]
Unveiling Appartamento Vittoria!
Our newest vacation apartment is finished and ready for guests!We’ve completed the finishing touches and welcomed our first guests to the elegant Appartamento Vittoria in [...]
EVERYTHING Grows in Italy’s Riviera dei Fiori
It's a well-earned named.Flowers, fruits, and vegetables grow like gangbusters in this westernmost stretch of the Ligurian coast called the Riviera dei Fiori. Now, I [...]
The Allure of Vespa Living
What took me so long?Why did it take eight years of living in Italy before I saw the light? Crazy. Vespa living is full of [...]
Italy Remains Open as Vaccinations Keep Plugging Along
An Update to Last Week's Post (below).Yes, a lot can happen in a week, particularly the Covid fallout from unrestrained celebrations of Italy's big Euro [...]
Italian Warmth Abounds at MP2 in Imperia
Relationships in Italy can flower beautifully.When they do, you’ll be thanking yourself for having Italy your new home and for doing the work (which includes [...]
Italy Turns the Corner
It almost doesn’t seem believable.But, yes, Italy turns the corner after so much time and after so many ups and downs. Finally, the daily stats [...]
Paying Homage to Formaggi Italiani!
Thank you cheeses!I’ve made this joke for years, mimicking an evangelical in rapture. Now, I’m dead serious in my praise of formaggi italiani (Italian cheeses) [...]
You Asked for It, So Start Pedaling!
Start pedaling? Huh?You're probably scratching your head, wondering what the heck I'm talking about. Well, as you work towards immersing yourself in the Italian language [...]
Woohoo! Italy Opens Up…Well, Sort of…
Prime Minister Draghi just announced that Italy opens up starting April 26.By saying that Italy opens up, he means most regions will turn yellow. “Yellow” [...]
Like to talk or do you adore sweets? You’ll love chiacchiere.
Fare quattro chiacchiere! Eat or chit chat? It’s both, actually!If you want to understand and participate more fully in the Italian culture, chiacchiere is a [...]
Italy’s Vaccine Rollout—Che casino! (What a mess!)
Yep, it’s been (and still is) a big mess.Back in December we were being told that Italy’s vaccine rollout was coming for COVID. Those of [...]
The Seemingly Interminable Wait Here in Italy
Here we are, a year later, and the country’s path forward is anything but clear.And the light (resolution) still seems far off in how Italy [...]
Learn the Italian Idiom for “A Rare Occurrence”
Know the Italian idiomatic expressions.If you really want to demonstrate that you’ve been doing your Italian language and culture lessons, then start boning up on [...]