“Is He Threatening Enough?” The role of Tony Soprano came down to three actors. Inside an HBO conference room, David Chase needed convincing.
James Gandolfini was unknown to most TV viewers when he got the role of Tony Soprano. But if you were a connoisseur of character actors in the mid-’90s, he was already on your radar. Gandolfini had made a powerful impression in multiple big-screen supporting roles, including the intimidating Lt. Bobby Dougherty in submarine thriller Crimson Tide; a...
Tuscany's Property Boom Driven by Wealthy Foreign Buyers
The Italian city of Lucca has emerged as a top performer in Tuscany's luxury real estate market, with property prices soaring 27% over the past five years, according to a new report from global property consultancy Knight Frank. The surge, attributed to Lucca's relative affordability and growing international demand, outpaces other Tuscan hotspots...
Celebrate National Lambrusco Day with Riunite for a Chance to Win a Year’s Worth of Pizza
It’s springtime in Chicago, and with that comes an explosion of outdoor parties like barbecues and picnics. A chilled bottle of Riunite Lambrusco is a refreshing accompaniment to any warm-weather gathering, but this iconic sparkling red wine really shines when paired with a classic Chicago dish: pizza. In honor of National Lambrusco Day on June 21,...
Which are the most pet-friendly cities in Italy?
Moving to Italy with a pet means choosing the right city carefully. Some Italian locations offer ideal conditions for those living with dogs or cats, thanks to targeted investments in green areas, veterinary services, accessible transport, and an urban culture that is more attentive to animals. In these cities, walking with your dog is easy and enj...
North Wildwood Italian-American Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary
The North Wildwood Italian-American Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary in the Wildwoods with a weekend celebration of great food, family fun, and Italian-American heritage, on Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23. Activities take place from 4-10 p.m. on Friday, June 21; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 22; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday...
10 mind-blowing optical illusions to discover in Italy
Have you ever thought that your eyes could deceive you even during a vacation? Optical illusions in Italy are not just textbook experiments in psychology, but real attractions that combine art, science and mystery. From squares that seem to warp before your eyes to murals that play with perspective, our country hides amazing places capable of confu...
East Boston’s Premier Italian-American Restaurant Officially Reopens after Full-Scale Renovation and Rebrand
After five years as a staple dining spot in East Boston, Pazza on Porter is entering an exciting new chapter. Owned by local restaurateurs Mivan Spencer and Raffaele Scalzi, Pazza on Porter is officially open to the public after undergoing a full-scale renovation and rebrand, bringing a bold new look, an updated menu, and fresh energy to the neighb...
AI and archaeology meet in Sardinia’s nuragic past
The world’s first research hub dedicated to artificial intelligence applied to archaeology has been established in Sardinia. Called AI Archeo-HUB, the initiative focuses especially on enhancing and preserving the island’s Nuragic heritage. This interdisciplinary and permanent laboratory is the result of a collaboration between La Sardegna verso l’U...
On June 8 and 9, Italians will be called to vote on five abrogative referendums
On June 8 and 9, Italians will be called to vote on five abrogative referendums. Since these are political matters, we won’t delve into the specific topics, except to say they concern certain labor laws and one issue related to foreign immigration in Italy. Instead, we’d like to briefly summarize the referendum system in Italy. Since 1946, Italy ha...
Luciano Pavarotti Biopic ‘Vox Divina’ Announced
A Luciano Pavarotti biopic, titled “Vox Divina,” is in the works. The LA-based production company, Women Occupy Hollywood, has secured rights to Italian writer-director Ivana Massetti’s Pavarotti biopic. Following two years of research, the film will chronicle the tenor’s life from his boyhood in Modena, Italy, to his confirmation as a star at the...
Jasmine Paolini is originally from a beautiful and little-known village in Tuscany: what is it and what does it offer
Not everyone knows that Jasmine Paolini, the great Italian tennis player who won the Internazionali d’Italia in Rome, comes from a small town in the province of Lucca, rich in history: Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a town in the province of Lucca that unostentatiously preserves a medieval soul and a deep connection with th...
Lady Gaga is now only one award away from EGOT status
Lady Gaga won the Sports Emmy Award in the Best Musical Direction category for singing Hold My Hand before the start of the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Her performance, a tribute to the 14 people who died during the Jan. 1 terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, moved the world. Now, Lady Gaga is only a Tony Award away from joining the Olympus of EGOT a...