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These strategies for responsible and sustainable travel result in a better experience for both you, the locals, and the environment!

We like to think of making Sicilian arancini as a delicious labor of love. Really they’re fried balls of risotto with a little secret inside

It’s actually super easy, you can have your own free Zoom background in less than 10 seconds (just check out the step-by-step instructions a

Foraging for wild food is an ancient and unique Italian tradition and trying out this experience together with locals is highly recommended

Searching for wild foods and cooking them according to traditional recipes is a part of Italian everyday life, and is certainly one of the i

This authentic limoncello recipe comes directly from a local friend in Southern Italy. Limoncello is the perfect drink to prepare at the end

How many times have you made small talk with an elderly person in passing but only later wondered what their story is? Let’s not wonder, let

Our elders throughout the world are key to our diverse cultures and maintaining their strength and wisdom, and so this comes as a great cult

If you’re planning a summer vacation under the warm Tuscan sun and want to experience a piece of authentic Italian culture, look no further!

One of my favorite things about my job is discovering unique traditions in Italy that I’ve never heard of. One I find particularly interesti

Ever heard of an e spressino? Didn’t think so. Puglia has a coffee culture all its own and it’s worth learning about- then experiencing yourself. It’s no secret that coffee and Italy go together- like really, r eally well. From a foamy cappuccino in the morning to a double shot of espresso (c affe doppio) in the afternoon, caffeine seems to be pulsing through the veins of this expressive and lively society. What you might not realize is that caffeine flows in a variety of

You’re at a caffè in Italy ordering a steaming cappuccino. The barista has so much personality and you just wish you knew how to ask what his name is! You’re sitting in a piazza quietly watching the people come and go. An older gentleman with so much character in his face sits next to you on the bench. You can tell he is full of stories and knowledge but you’re just too shy to pipe up and start a conversation… I know how it feels! I get butterflies each time I say something

Ahhh, the flavors of Puglia! My mouth literally waters just thinking about it. From plates of fresh grilled seafood to hand-rolled pasta and piles of hearty vegetables, food in Puglia is an experience. In fact, it’s an experience all Italians crave, too. When I ask my local friends where they go to eat really, really well, throughout Italy the answer is “Puglia!”. While there’s plenty of food in Puglia that you should try (really, options are endless!), there is one dish in

The history of Puglia is multilayered and complex. The region has been tossed about from one invader to the next, from about 270 BC until the unification of Italy in the late 1800s. Most articles you find on the topic are frankly boring to read and heavy with names of random invaders you’ve never heard of, making it difficult to grasp the overall concept of where Puglia’s been and how it relates to the culture you’ll experience there today. Below, I attempt to break things do

Guest post by Mehek Punatar So you’re traveling to Italy and you want the most authentic experience. But you’re also vegetarian! Italian cuisine is extremely vegetarian-friendly (probably the most vegetarian-friendly of all European cuisines). You’ve got pizzas, pastas, paninis, gelato and coffee. Some spots even have vegan options! But you have to look in the right places if you want the authentic stuff. Here are some pro tips and recommendations for exploring the best of ve

Where do Italians go for great food? Straight to Puglia, where the cucina povera tradition celebrates the profound flavors of fresh, local produce. What’s amazing about the food in Puglia is that it boasts great flavor with minimal ingredients- only about 3-5 per dish. On your way to a restaurant, you might pass fields of artichokes, fava beans, and of course, olives- all of which you’ll find featured on your plate in a variety of creative and tasty ways. However, Puglia is

The perfect day trip to experience the countryside in Tuscany and immerse yourself in the culture during your stay in Florence. Most who travel to Tuscany have their hearts set on views of rolling hills, plates of handmade pasta, and glass after glass of amazing wine. But some want more than that... Some want walks through the countryside to see the details of the landscape. They want to learn how to make the pasta themselves. And they want to take in the view not from a tour

It’s a funny thing, that greener grass on the other side… I recently met an Italian man named Marco who describes the United States the same way I would describe Italy…exciting, rich in culture and history, immense natural beauty, and people that are more open and friendly than back home. The things I find lacking in my life in the US I find vibrantly present in Italy..yet Marco would say the same for the US. How is that? I’m not sure, but I was so intrigued by the passion Ma

It’s a funny thing, that greener grass on the other side… When I met Marco at a language exchange Meetup event in Florence, I was so intrigued by his immense passion for the colonial Northeastern US that I asked to interview him. In our initial conversations that would later blossom into a friendship, I discovered that Marco feels about the US the same way I feel about Italy. I wanted to understand and explore this paradox that we could be so equally in love with each other’s

Creative travelers need a way to capture their experiences! Up until my first trip to Europe, art was my greatest love and passion. Then Travel charmed its way into my life and so ensued a jealous battle between the two. Luckily I’ve learned that beautiful things happen when I combine them both. Sparks fly when I’m sitting on an ancient stone doorstep sketching the cobblestone street. Whether you call yourself an “artist” or not, getting creative during your travels will hel