italy

Frozen treats from Italy, Australia, St. Louis & Canada

We're cooling off during the dog days of summer with frozen treats from all over the world. We'll sample the…

3 months ago

Podcast: Bologna with Andrea Chierici from Taste Bologna

Andrea Chierici lives and works in Bologna, Italy and loves his city! He tells Brent about the amazing food including…

4 months ago

Podcast: Pasta in Sicily, Turin, Abruzzo & Croatia

Brent searches for the best pasta shape for pesto with NYT bestselling author Katie Parla, tries the stuffed pasta native…

6 months ago

The best gelato in Milan, Italy

Milan is one of the best cities in all of Italy for Gelato. It rivals even Florence for the number…

12 months ago

Negroni Sbagliato (Incorrect Negroni)

The social media sensation cocktail was invented in Milan 50 years ago. Negroni Sbagliato origin story Negroni Sbagliato at Bar…

1 year ago

The Bone Chapel where a Duke was murdered

The Santuario di San Bernardino is not only where a creepy ossuary is located, it's also where a very unpopular…

1 year ago

Wine bars, Negroni Sbagliato, Truffles & Springsteen in Milan, Italy

Brent is in Milan visiting the coolest wine bar, sipping a "broken" Negroni, and enjoying decadent truffles. And, he caps…

1 year ago

Champagne sorbetto, wine & mini pastry in Milan, Italy

Brent is in Milan, Italy to visit the Milan Cathedral and tries a sorbetto made with Champagne, yummy mini pastries,…

1 year ago

Why We Eat Zeppole on Saint Joseph’s Day

Italian bakeries crank out millions of zeppole every Saint Joseph's Day. Enjoying this delicious pastry is a tradition not only…

2 years ago

Ape, the three-wheeled trucks from Italy

The modest Italian lightweight trucks are popular all over Europe. Ape Origin Story After WWII, Italy was in ruins and…

3 years ago

Why you shouldn’t book the cheapest ticket

The cheapest ticket isn't always the best choice. In fact, sometimes it will make your trip miserable. Remote Airports Maybe…

3 years ago

New Year’s Eve & red underwear

If you're in Italy for New Year's Eve, be sure to wear this specifically colored undergarment. New Year's Eve When…

3 years ago

The (probably untrue) legend of Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Puttanesca translates literally to "prostitute." So, Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is "pasta in the style of a prostitute." That couldn't be…

3 years ago

Chocolate Hazelnut-the famous flavor of Turin

Chocolate and hazelnuts seems like a match made in heaven. But it took a war to bring them together Chocolate…

3 years ago

Halloween in Italy

Our notion of Halloween in the U.S., children in costumes going door to door for candy, originates in Scotland and…

3 years ago

The Best Pizza in Naples

Naples is known as the birthplace of pizza. But, there's more than just classic Neapolitan pizza in the Città del…

3 years ago

Orecchiette & Broccoli Rabe (Vegan)

This is a very traditional dish from the Puglia region (the heel of the boot) in Italy. But, I put…

3 years ago

Rome’s Drinking Fountains

Rome has thousands of quirky drinking fountains called Nasoni to keep you hydrated during the hot summer. Nasoni origin story…

3 years ago

A cheese from Sicily cooked three times

Tricotta takes Ricotta Cheese and cooks it a third time for a special Sicilian treat. Tricotta origin story Tricotta for…

3 years ago

Affogato

This rich and creamy drink combines two things that Italy excels at: espresso and gelato. What is an Affogato? Notice…

4 years ago

Music school in Lucca, Italy

Lucca, Italy (photo: Brent Petersen) Yet another entry in my long list of examples of why you should keep yourself…

4 years ago

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…in Italy

Chestnut vendor in Rome (photo: Brent Petersen) One of my favorite things about being in Italy in the fall and…

4 years ago

The Italian town that does the evening stroll on two wheels

Each evening, all over Italy, people come out for the "passeggiata," or stroll. Everyone takes part; young, old, rich, poor,…

4 years ago

When looking for a snack in Naples, head to the Friggitoria

In Italian, Friggitoria means fryer. And the name is apt. The local Friggitoria shop in Naples has a huge selection…

4 years ago

An Italian bread made from scraps of dough

One of my favorite things about Italy is the culture's ingenious frugality. Have grape skins and stems left over from…

4 years ago

How to make Limoncello at home

Homemade Limoncello is easy to make. You just need the correct ingredients and a little patience. Limoncello origin story Enjoying…

4 years ago

In Defense of Cheap Plastic Souvenirs

Recently, I was talking with my friend Mickela Mallozzi for my podcast. Mickela is the creator and host of the…

4 years ago

Movies featuring each region of Italy

Italy is home to a vibrant film making industry that has been widely recognized over the years for its quality…

5 years ago

10 movies that will make you love Sicily

Sicily is an extraordinary place filled with gorgeous scenery, a fascinating history, and interesting people. While many famous films are…

5 years ago

Naples’ custom of sharing espresso with strangers

Customers visit caffès in Naples each morning and order two espressos. But, they don't drink both. The second one is…

5 years ago

The Three Street Food Dishes You Must Try in Palermo

Your favorite culinary experience in Palermo might just be from the back of a 3-wheeled truck or a sidewalk street…

5 years ago

How to Enjoy Two Different Bellinis in Italy

You've probably enjoyed a luscious Bellini or two during brunch but there's a second Bellini-inspired dish that you have to…

5 years ago

Italy’s Greatest Coffee Drink

I know. “Italy’s Greatest Coffee Drink” is a bold statement. But, the first time I sipped a Bicerin, I knew…

5 years ago