Milan is one of the best cities in all of Italy for Gelato. It rivals even Florence for the number…
The social media sensation cocktail was invented in Milan 50 years ago. Negroni Sbagliato origin story During a TV interview…
The Santuario di San Bernardino is not only where a creepy ossuary is located, it’s also where a very unpopular…
Brent is in Milan visiting the coolest wine bar, sipping a “broken” Negroni, and enjoying decadent truffles. And, he caps…
Brent is in Milan, Italy to visit the Milan Cathedral and tries a sorbetto made with Champagne, yummy mini pastries,…
Brent is in Milan, Italy to see Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece and try some of the city’s best gelato, coffee,…
If you’re in Italy for New Year’s Eve, be sure to wear this specifically colored undergarment. New Year’s Eve All…
Puttanesca translates literally to “prostitute.” So, Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is “pasta in the style of a prostitute.” That couldn’t be…
Chocolate and hazelnuts seems like a match made in heaven. But it took a war to bring them together Chocolate…
Our notion of Halloween in the U.S., children in costumes going door to door for candy, originates in Scotland and…
Naples is known as the birthplace of pizza. But, there’s more than just classic Neapolitan pizza in the Città del…
Although you can now get limoncello all over Italy (and in most of Europe or any self-respecting Italian joint in…
This is a very traditional dish from the Puglia region (the heel of the boot) in Italy. But, I put…
Rome has thousands of quirky drinking fountains called Nasoni to keep you hydrated during the hot summer. Nasoni origin story…
Tricotta takes Ricotta Cheese and cooks it a third time for a special Sicilian treat. Tricotta origin story Ricotta Cheese…
This rich and creamy drink combines two things that Italy excels at: espresso and gelato. What is an Affogato? An…
Riding the train in Sicily, my mind wanders. The scenery leads to these thoughts. Heading south to Siracusa, oil refineries…
In Greek mythology, Kalliope is the goddess of music, song and dance. She is also the muse of epic poetry.…
Yet another entry in my long list of examples of why you should keep yourself open to saying “yes” to…
One of my favorite things about being in Italy in the fall and winter is the chestnut vendors. On almost…
Each evening, all over Italy, people come out for the “passeggiata,” or stroll. Everyone takes part; young, old, rich, poor,…
In Italian, Friggitoria means fryer. And the name is apt. The local Friggitoria shop in Naples has a huge selection…
One of my favorite things about Italy is the culture’s ingenious frugality. Have grape skins and stems left over from…
Homemade Limoncello is easy to make. You just need the correct ingredients and a little patience. Limoncello origin story You…
Italy is home to a vibrant film making industry that has been widely recognized over the years for its quality…
Sicily is an extraordinary place filled with gorgeous scenery, a fascinating history, and interesting people. While many famous films are…
Customers visit caffès in Naples each morning and order two espressos. But, they don’t drink both. The second one is…
Your favorite culinary experience in Palermo might just be from the back of a 3-wheeled truck or a sidewalk street…
You’ve probably enjoyed a luscious Bellini or two during brunch but there’s a second Bellini-inspired dish that you have to…
I know. “Italy’s Greatest Coffee Drink” is a bold statement. But, the first time I sipped a Bicerin, I knew…
Excerpt from a larger piece I’m working on: Ortigia is a maze of winding, narrow streets. Three story limestone buildings…
Photo: Brent Petersen One of my favorite things about being in Italy in the fall and winter is the chestnut…
Vertine, Italy Tuscany is perhaps the best known region of Italy and is quite crowded with tourists. But, there are…
Photo: Brent Petersen Torino’s Piazza Castello really goes all out for Christmas. There’s a massive cone of spectacularly colored lights…
Records for sale Whenever I see a street market or flea market I always stop and browse. You’ll always find…
I spotted this vespa with a cracked windshield in Florence and it captivated me. I wanted to know the story. …
If you visit Turin (Torino), Italy, you’re sure to hear about their famous beverage, Bicerin. First made in the 18th…
Photo: Brent Petersen I take the cone from man behind the counter. The cone is piled with slabs of chocolate,…
It’s Christmas day in Torino, Italy. Nothing is open, not even the little coffee shop where we get a shot…
Photo: Brent Petersen Less than an hour from Catania’s international airport in Sicily is one of my favorite towns in…
The exact dates vary, but the Arabs are known to have introduced citrus to Sicily about 1,000 years ago. The…
Graffiti in Turin, Italy (Photo: Brent Petersen) I have not idea what the literal translation of “Straw the Police’s Noise”…
Palermo has some great street art. Here are some of my favorite pictures. (Photo: Brent Petersen) (Photo: Brent Petersen) (Photo:…
On a trip to Puglia, Italy, I noticed how many of the men wore purple. I couldn’t pull it off,…
Just over the Ponte Santa Lucia is Mercato di Ortigia, the island’s outdoor market. You’d expect to find the market…