Lombardy, Italy is one of the most expensive regions in all of Europe. With about a sixth of Italy’s population producing about a fifth of Italy’s GDP, Lombardy is the most populous region in Italy and one of the richest regions in all of Europe. Yet even in expensive Lombardy, it’s possible to live very well… Read more »

It’s impossible to identify just one dish that personifies the food of Veneto. Though most only visit the region’s capital city, Venice, it actually spans from the mighty port town of Venice to the mountains up north, then inland to Verona and its cuisine reflects that, with each area enjoying its own local specialty.  Along the coast seafood is preferred,… Read more »

Tiny overlooked Mantova (Mantua in English) in Lombardy has gotten a lot of air-time on this humble blog. I’ve written about my three-hour long lunch in a local osteria and talked  about a road trip from Milan to Venice with a stop in the cultured city on the Amateur Traveler’s podcast, but in case you have any doubts let me… Read more »

I’m not a huge fan of Italy’s hotels. I find that far too often they rest on their laurels, safe in the knowledge that Italy will always have tourists who need a room. There’s charm in the ancient buildings, but not in the 1970s interiors. The wifi is dim and in some places, like overcrowded Liguria, the rooms are… Read more »

Italian young adults have a terrible reputation. Absolutely babied by their moms, Italians basically remain children well into adulthood, enjoying the benefits of full-time emotional unpaid labor. I know many a 30-year-old who doesn’t cook, clean, do their own laundry or even, at times, buy their own clothes. Their mother’s grocery shop, make their appointments, cook three… Read more »

Lombardy is a region unfairly overlooked by international travelers. I know, I know, Tuscany’s charm is far-reaching, Venice’s (because few go beyond the city) fame international, but Lombardy has cosmopolitan Milan and tiny villages dotting the mountainside. It has Alpine peaks and undulating rice fields. It has university towns, thermal spas, ski resorts and world-class cuisine. Though… Read more »

Embracing change in one aspect of your life has a sort of snowball effect: It will usually roll change through all aspects of your life. Deciding to marry an Italian and move to Italy five years ago is a clear example – every aspect of my life was changed! Now, welcoming sweet baby Adeline into our lives, the… Read more »

Though they may be drab, winters are the perfect time for trip planning. It’s time to read, research and place your dream trip to Italy. Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? What Italian experiences do you dream of? A first-time visit practically requires time in Rome and Florence, Venice and Tuscany… Read more »

“Wait,” my Italian father-in-law commanded, as I reached for a slice of cheese on the overflowing cheese platter. “Start with the brie, it’s the weakest. Then try this soft taleggio. After, the branzi and then you can finish with this gorgonzola,” he said, using his knife with a flourish to indicate each type of cheese…. Read more »

Snapshots of Ivrea, Italy: Everyday moments during a not-so-everyday celebration. Ivrea, in Piedmont, was essentially founded after a canal was built to supply water to the surrounding rice fields. It was the home of the first Olivetti headquarters, one of the first tech companies in Italy, which supplied jobs for most of the town. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage… Read more »