Thanks to its rich history and vibrant culture, Sicily is an island full of intrigue. While cities like Palermo and Taormina often steal the spotlight, Cefalù is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Perched on the island’s northern coast, this charming town offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and historic allure, making it an idyllic destina...
Only a dozen of his works are known to exist, along with a few frescoes and mosaics in Assisi and Florence. Almost nothing is known about this 13th-century Italian painter, and even the meaning of his nickname, Cimabue (pronounced chee-mah-BOO-eh), remains a mystery. Who was he really? It's his works, the only witnesses to his genius, that allow us...
Among all the athletic luminaries honored at the 2024 Chicago Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame ceremony gala in November, Josh Colaizzi was the only one too young to enjoy a celebratory glass of wine. Colaizzi, 17, took home the evening’s Future Star Award for all the baseball accomplishments he’s managed to rack up as a teen. Colaizzi, a cente...
Given the challenges faced by firefighters in Los Angeles while battling the ongoing wildfires, it seems both timely and fitting to honor their bravery, dedication, and commitment by looking into the origins of their profession, origins that have a very strong Italian connection. Indeed, as with many foundational aspects of modern society, the con...
Tao Group Hospitality has left its luxurious stamp on too many concepts to count. The Tao touch is evident in all the little details: lush decor; intimate, if not outright sexy atmosphere; the unspoken expectation that you’re here to dine, but in a few hours you’ll be ready to dance. Beauty & Essex, Lavo, Stanton Social Prime—they all have those de...
While most Alpine ski resorts focus on sustainability and scaling back expansion, Pila in Italy is quietly bucking the trend, offering skiers something fresh and exciting. At a time when new pistes across Europe are rare, this hidden gem in the Aosta Valley is leading the way with thoughtful growth and modernisation. Why Alpine resorts are slowing...
Anthony D’Alessandro is justifiably proud of a lot of things. There’s his designation as a cavaliere – a knight of merit – by the Italian government. There’s the quality of the uniforms that he makes – almost all of the uniforms for America’s military branches, plus more for military academies, local first responders and the occasional Hollywood mo...
In the rolling hills of central Italy lies a land where time seems to stand still. Tuscany, with its medieval villages perched atop sun-drenched hills, offers a journey back to an era of knights, castles, and timeless beauty. Did you know that Tuscany boasts over 120 medieval villages, each with its own unique story and charm? Let’s embark on a cap...
Sometimes a sandwich is just a sandwich. And sometimes, it’s so much more. That’s how it’s worked out for Lisa Greenleaf and her son Jack Greenleaf, who recently opened their specialty Italian sandwich business Lunch Uptown at Broadway and Zimpel streets, right next door to the long-time college hang-out The Boot. Last year the duo started with pop...
Almost 70 years after the Winter Olympics of 1956 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy is preparing to host Milano Cortina 2026. This event, which will bring together the world’s best athletes, is eagerly awaited by winter sports enthusiasts. It will be an opportunity to celebrate the evolution of the sport and pay tribute to past Games, while highlighting...
Rare that such a great artist from Italy arrives in the US. The Levy Gorvy Dayan gallery has collaborated with Galleria Continua to bring Pistoletto’s latest work to New York. His last major show which I saw in Philadelphia was simply stunning - a wonderful assemblage of works, Michelangelo Pistoletto Form One to Many 1956-1974 in 2010. Here in New...
The trend of banks "disengaging" from Italian territory continues unabated. Nearly half of all Italian municipalities are now without a bank branch (3,381 municipalities, accounting for 42.8% of the total). In 2024 alone, 508 branches were closed, bringing the total number below 20,000. The reasons for this decline include the rise of digital paym...