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Ever heard of an espressino? 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, really well. From a foamy cappuccino in the morning to a double shot of espresso (caffe 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 more c

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 t

My favorite area to wander and live in Florence is Oltrarno, the area just across the river from the main tourist center where you can quickly sink into local life centered around Piazza Santo Spirito. One of the many things I love about Oltrarno is that it is still full of hidden artisan studios where, with the right insider know-how, you can discover ancient techniques still in use today to create timeless masterpieces. I recently met with one of those master artisans, humb

You know those moments when you experience something just incredible and you know you’ll always remember it? Visiting the sea caves of Polignano a Mare in the “heel” of Italy’s boot was one of those moments for me. I can still feel the sense of world-expanding freedom as the speed of our private boat sends a rush of warm air over my wide-open arms from the very front of the bow. Salty droplets splash up and cool my sun-browned skin. The view approaching the cliff-clung city o

Written by Elisabetta Verdone What I am going to tell you about my dear region is something that I like to whisper with a low voice and there is a reason why. Italy, outside of the stereotypical postcards of beautiful cities and historical monuments, is a colorful, patchwork blanket of 20 various and differing regions. Every region is a specific world, with different traditions, landscapes, colors, weather, food and even different dialects! Besides many well known, famous and

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 s

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

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 help

One of my favorite favorite favorite things to do is meet Italian people. I am always amazed by their genuine warmth and passion for helping me learn about their culture. Often times I end up learning about a quirky tradition I didn’t know about or a hidden village I’d never heard of. Sometimes I end up at their dinner table, pouring through old family albums after a meal. But every single time, no matter what, I walk away with a new friend. And just as mi casa es tu casa (or

What if there were a secret weapon that gave you the courage and drive to face your fears and turn your weaknesses into skills— just like that? It wasn’t what I intended when I started down this path, but the truth is that being an entrepreneur has become the ultimate secret machete that has cut right through my fears. It isn’t so much being an entrepreneur as it is the core behind it- having a deep passion and an enormous belief in your offering to this world will lead you t

In Italy, every holiday comes with a hundred variations of ways to celebrate, traditional foods to eat, and stories of how it all came about. Easter is no different, and in the southern region of Apulia, la scarcella is not to be forgotten! La scarcella is a simple cookie or cake formed into various shapes like an easter basket, bird, or bunny. The twist? They put a boiled egg on the cookie itself. Yeah, I know, hard to picture… Luckily, one of our Pugliese friends took some

I still remember the first thing I ordered in complete Italian (cioccolata calda, anyone?). The feeling of those beautiful sounds rolling off my tongue, and further, being comprehended by the Italian barista, was addictive. Before departing for my study abroad program in 2011, I studied Italian on my own between my classes because I knew I wanted to be able to communicate with the locals. I was surprised by how far my lessons took me and how much deeper my experience was beca

Let’s jump right into it- packing for a trip to Italy can be a daunting task! You may be wondering if there are cultural norms you need to follow, if the weather will be similar to what you have at home, or if you’ll really have the courage to wear those heels on cobblestone! I have taken long trips to Italy numerous times and I’m only now getting really good at packing. I’ve noticed that I tend to get anxious about the trip and the only way I feel like I’m “preparing” is to

To live infamously or die unknown, that is the question. I recently read an interesting article about Homer’s Iliad which you probably have memories of being assigned to read in high school but very few memories of actually reading it, so I’ll catch you up: The hero of the story, Achilles, is fighting alongside the Greeks in the Trojan War. It’s been prophesized that Achilles will die if he goes to fight, but his name will be immortal. If he chooses instead to return home, he

As much as I’d love to keep this on the DL, the artists represented in this artsy, handmade shop in Puglia are too fabulous to keep hidden away. When I stumbled upon this cute shop in Puglia, Italy, it felt like finding a hidden treasure trove all for myself. For a second there, I couldn’t decide whether to share it with the world or keep it my own little secret! In honor of International Women’s Day though, I’ve decided to let the spotlight shine on the talented women that m

by Lauren Chiarello, Guest Writer I adore traveling + exploring! As a fit, active person, I tend to gear my trips to outdoor adventures. There are a lot of ways to move + groove while you travel – you can weave movement into exploring or even carve out 10 minutes to find your core. Here are my favorite ways to get exercise while traveling. 1. Be a local! Download the YELP app + try using a few of the following search words: Fitness Classes, Gyms, Yoga, Pilates, etc. You can s

Hi my fellow travelers drooling over endless wanderlust instagram profiles and dreamy Pinterest pins… Welcome to the club! I started off just like you, with an innate desire to explore far-flung places where I could experience the authentic culture. Then I took that big leap to finally journey abroad and saw all my fantasies come wildly true beyond belief. I never let go of that passion and when the time was right, I let it carry me forward to start Creative Edge Travel where

by Paola Bassanese, Guest Writer Do you dream in Italian? If you do, you have made it! If you are not quite there yet, here are a few pointers to help you think like a local. I moved from Italy to England more than 20 years ago, and it took me about a year to think like an English person (and start dreaming in English!). I believe that my biggest breakthrough was when I started learning English colloquialisms: all of a sudden, I became “one of us” instead of “one of them”. I

Ciao! Are you someone who would love to meet locals in Italy? At Creative Edge Travel, we think meeting locals is the #1 secret to more meaningful travel and opening yourself up to unexpected opportunities. I’m so excited to announce our Locals in Italy series where we’ll be introducing our personal friends and partners so you can learn about their cultural traditions, try recipes right from their kitchens, and explore everyday life in Italy through the eyes of a local! Simon