Italian Olive Oil Exports Surge, Trade Deficit Shrinks 84%
Italian olive oil is solidifying its reputation as a global benchmark for quality. Despite challenges from climate change and the sector’s natural production cycles, the industry has shown remarkable resilience, underpinned by rising value and strong export growth. The latest Ismea (Institute of Services for the Agricultural Food Market) report pai...
Avola, the world capital of almonds
If Agrigento greets the first days of March each year with the Almond Blossom Festival – an event of worldwide resonance – Avola, a town in the Val di Noto in the province of Syracuse, holds its Sagra della Mandorla during the week of Ferragosto, mid-August. Unlike the international folk tradition in the Valley of the Temples, with dances, songs, a...
Italian study shoes that natural compounds show promise in supporting chemotherapy for glioblastoma
In a promising development for glioblastoma patients, Italian researchers at the CNR’s Institute of Translational Pharmacology (Cnr-Ift), in collaboration with the Artoi Foundation and with epidemiological support from Policlinico Gemelli, have conducted a pioneering investigation into the use of natural compounds alongside chemotherapy. This human...
Decoded: the secrets of garum, Ancient Rome’s most popular sauce
The ancient Romans loved food just as modern Italians do. We know this thanks to archaeology, as well as several of their recipes that reached us through the works of writers like Apicius. If there is an ingredient associated with their ancient cuisine, that is certainly garum, a pungent, fish-based sauce we can consider the ancient version of toda...
Best Italian Cities Wine Lovers Should Visit
Italy calls to travelers who understand that great wine tells the story of its land, people, and traditions. For those who appreciate the artistry behind both cooking and winemaking, certain Italian cities offer experiences that go far beyond typical tourist attractions. These wine destinations reveal how wine culture intertwines with local cuisine...
Ceremony in Pianosinatico (Tuscany) to Honor Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in WWII
Local residents, U.S. Army representatives, and civic leaders gathered Aug. 23 in this mountain village to unveil a monument honoring two American soldiers who died in the region during World War II. The event, organized by the Laltrolato del Caposaldo Association, commemorated Privates Robert Morasco and Charles Hunnicut of the 85th Infantry Regim...
Italy postal service suspends shipment of packages to US amid tariff confusion
Italy's national postal service has temporarily suspended the sending of packages to the United States ahead of new tariffs on the import of goods worth less than $800. The move by Poste Italiane coincides with similar measures by other national postal services in Europe, including in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, amid confusion over new impor...
Microcars on the rise in Italian cities
In Italy’s major cities, traffic has always been a headache. Narrow streets, built centuries ago for pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages, are now crowded with cars, scooters, and buses. Finding space to move, let alone park, is a daily challenge. That’s where microcars come in. The very first versions appeared right after World War II, often with...
Tiny Italian island has secret underwater city, ‘steam grottos’ and free tourist hot springs
A beautiful island called Ischia is found off the coast of Naples - and it is actually home to an underwater city. The island can be reached by ferry from the Italian mainland in under two hours. The beautiful Italian Isle is known for having bustling coastal bars and pretty swimming spots, but it also has a secret. On the seabed surrounding the is...
7 classic Italian journeys, from Vespa rides to vintage trams
Italy hasn’t stopped moving since the Romans began building their extensive road network, and the country has a penchant for speed and drama — despite its reputation for a slow, savoured approach to life. Whether you choose to board a plucky Vespa or a zippy vaporino, ride a poker-red Ferrari or a sky-scraping cableway, this way of exploring brings...
Canzone napoletana: a musical journey from its roots to “neomelodico”
The history of Canzone Napoletana is fully tied to the cultural and musical development of Naples, a city known for its lively traditions and culture. The starting point of what we call today Canzone Napoletana can be identified in the early 19th century, and developed through the following two centuries to become not only a popular genre of its ow...
Italy’s Subterranean Wonder: The Grotte di Frasassi
Hidden beneath the rugged Apennine mountains in Italy’s Marche region lies one of Europe’s most spectacular natural wonders: the Grotte di Frasassi. Italy’s largest and most majestic limestone caves—discovered in 1971—stretch for over 11 miles beneath the surface, offering a surreal, almost otherworldly experience. The crown jewel of the cave syste...