Pope Celestine V and the Courage to Resign
The verb “resign” can be a loaded word. The word can connote giving up or giving in. When a person is said to have resigned [...]
Pietrantonj is Abruzzo’s Oldest Winery
One thing leads to another. This is becoming my motto in life, with one additional clarifier. One thing leads to another when you give yourself [...]
ItalyWise Coming Attractions!
ItalyWise is hard at work. Just wanted you all to know that ItalyWise is anything but asleep or on vacation this week. Since I’ve thrown [...]
Fall in Love with Novelia and Fettuccine “a mano”
Am I a lucky man or not? After you view the video contained in this post, I believe you’ll quickly respond in the affirmative. Just [...]
Yes, She Exists! A Woman Gondolier.
Finally, real proof that Venice has a woman gondolier! Talk about stumbling across a good story. Just two days ago, Simone and I had opted [...]
The Rich Fishing History of Abruzzo’s Trabocchi
Image by Lorenabacchilega of Creative Commons Trabocchi are “fishing machines” dating back to the 18th century. At least that’s the earliest documentation attesting to their existence. Some [...]
A Frico Feast with New Friends
I’m still salivating. That’s what frico can do to you. Unfortunately, many people who come to Italy, to live or to visit, don’t set foot in [...]
I Found Mental Repose in These Italian Abstracts
When the mind gets overly fixated on being literal, it can use a break. Mine does, for sure. And, thanks to the vibrantly rendered island [...]
Color Thrives in the Venice Snow
Welcome to Episode 2 of Venice Snow! And a healthy splash of color. I so appreciate the enthusiastic responses to last week’s post, which featured [...]
Venice Snow Makes a Rare Appearance
I hit the jackpot. Yes, I’d been waiting for this rare occurrence, Venice Snow. Last winter I waited and hoped. But no luck. Ever since [...]
The Shadowy Faces of Venice
Venice remains my favorite city in Italy. I never tire of her beauty and charms. I’m also fascinated by her dark side and her complicated [...]
The Extraordinary Street Perfomers of Venice
Street performers in Venice have a never-ending audience of tourists flooding the city. If you’re an artist and you’re good at your craft––or if you’re [...]
Venice Postscript: The Working Man and Acqua Alta
Yep, it’s that time of the year when Venetians start dealing with the acqua alta more frequently. The high waters associated with fickle tides keep the [...]
Buone Feste! Let There Be Magic!
I am indeed fortunate to be living in Italy and experiencing yet another magical holiday! I confess, a long career in advertising and marketing had [...]
A Tribute to the Working Man in Venice
I love so many things about Venice. The city is a constantly unfolding visual feast. It’s a city that never stops giving even though she [...]
The Vigili del Fuoco of Venice and “Firetrucks” on Water
I’ve made it a mission to create a photo essay of the life of Venetian workmen hard at work in the canals and passages of [...]
For Love of Frittelle
What’s the big deal with frittelle? After all, it’s JUST fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar, right? That was my superior attitude until I remembered [...]
Exploring the Rich Potential of Spaciousness
I was ready for some spaciousness…or so I thought. Our long-awaited trip to the tranquil island of Folegandros, Greece, finally had arrived. This would be [...]