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 [...]
My ItalyWise Blog Takes on a Heightened Focus.
Going forward, my ItalyWise blog will be dedicated primarily to the Italian culture and language. I know that already I’ve presented quite a bit [...]
I’m Dancing in a Sea of Italian Wine Finds
I've been stocking up my sweet new wine fridge Hallelujah! I’ve just returned from Conad, where I harvested a load of Italian wine finds. [...]
Watch Out for These Italian Critters
Your Italian life will undoubtedly include time in the campagna. That's where the chances of encountering one or more of these featured Italian critters [...]
Practical Driving Instruction in Italy—Prepare Yourself!
If you're American, and you want to drive in Italy, you can't dodge this requirement. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings if [...]
Finally, A Nationwide Italian Mask Mandate
I guess, better late than never, right? I’m doing my best to reside in this mindset rather than saying, “Why the hell has it [...]
Find Yourself in the Heart of Abruzzo
And prepare to be romanced by Abruzzo's finest culinary treasures. So many people, longing to be in Italy but grounded by the pandemic, are [...]
Italian Healthcare Vs American Healthcare
Italian healthcare wins, hands down, in my opinion. And, on multiple fronts. I've been in Italy for almost eight years now, and as I look [...]
COVID in Italy, When Defiance Turns Deadly
The privileged elite thumb their noses at the pandemic and party hard. And this kind of defiance reared its head at a posh club [...]
Italian Words That Don’t Mean What You Think
There are plenty of them. Many Italian language newbies make the mistake of thinking that because some Italian words sound so similar to English [...]
Get the Skinny on Down and Dirty Italian
What do I mean by "Down and Dirty Italian?" I mean oft-used Italian words, phrases, and expressions pertaining to expletives, bodily functions, partying, gossiping, [...]
The Italian Driver’s License Exam – Get a Grip on Order of Precedence
The order of precedence at Italian intersections can be a bit confusing. At least that was my experience when I spent several months studying [...]
Here in Italy We Settle in for the New Face of Travel.
"Out and about" looks vastly different in the shadow of Covid-19. To me, this new face of travel was particularly evident in the experience [...]
Key Italian Words and Phrases for Navigating the Health Crisis
These aren't just "nice to know." No, a few Italian words and phrases are essential if you find yourself in Italy while Covid-19 still encroaches [...]