Italian town launches "umarell project" to involve elderly volunteers in monitoring public works
If there's a construction site in Italy, there's probably an elderly person nearby with their arms crossed behind their back, carefully watching the progress of the work. It's such a recurring sight that it has even inspired social media pages that post pictures of these tireless inspectors, for whom a real neologism has been coined: "umarell" (an...
Ralph Macchio, rediscovered son of Irpinia
A rediscovered son. That's how Villanova del Battista in Irpinia, Campania, welcomed Ralph Macchio, who became a global icon with his role as Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid, and whose paternal great-grandparents were originally from this small town. “It’s incredibly moving for me to walk through the streets where my family originated. I exis...
Everything You Need to Know about Changes to Italian Citizenship by Descent
On March 28, 2025, a decree-law (decreto-legge) was approved by the Italian Council of Ministers amending the Italian Citizenship Law and outlining new eligibility rules for the claiming of Italian citizenship by descent. These unexpected changes bring about many questions for those with Italian ancestry. Before the adoption of this decree on Marc...
Eating Bolliti in the Last Throes of a Northern Italian Winter
As the gray months turn Technicolor, people living in northern Italy tend to reflect on some very important questions: Is it too soon to swap coats for jackets? How many times did I hit the slopes this year? And, most importantly—when was the last time I ate bolliti? Bolliti, a smorgasbord of boiled meats, veggies, and sauces, has been a cornerston...
Love, legends, and roses: Venice's Festa del Bòcolo
The term bòcolo in Venetian dialect refers to a rosebud and, on this day, it’s customary for men to present a red rosebud to the significant women in their lives — be it wives, fiancées, mothers, or sisters — as a symbol of enduring love and admiration. The origins of the tradition are quite enigmatic: an early 9th century legend says that Maria, t...
5 Just-Reopened Attractions in 5 Major Italian Destinations
Italy is no stranger to scaffolding. The need for infrastructural and aesthetic upgrades to the country’s cultural attractions is near-constant; necessary maintenance as well as all-out renovations can keep many places off limits to visitors for extended periods of time. When sites of interest reopen, it’s arguably even better news for the host tow...
Policoro is one of Italy’s best-kept seaside secrets
Although Italy is the fourth most visited country in the world, the southern Italian region of Basilicata remains largely unexplored, even by Italians. Unlike its vacation hotspot neighbour Puglia to the east, or Campania’s bucket-list stops such as Amalfi and Pompeii tothe west, Basilicata is quite easy to bypass. Even for me, a self-proclaimed It...
‘We made everything bear-proof’: the Italian village that learned to love its bears
Pettorano sul Gizio is a medieval mountain town full of alleys, watchful cats and wooden doors locked sometime in the last century. In the lower parts of town, rustic charm turns into abandonment – branches grow out of walls and roofs have fallen in. The only bar closed at Christmas, after the owner died. Some “For Sale” signs have been up so long...
Growth of consumer credit in Italy and its implications on the economy
Consumer credit is growing in Italy, with the volume of loans seeing a new increase of 5.3% last year, rising from a total of 160.7 billion euros at the end of 2023 to 169.3 billion euros in 2024. During the same period, there was also a modest recovery in total loans granted to families (+0.5%). Our country remains among the top in Europe for the...
The growth of Airbnb rentals in Italy and its impact on the real estate market
At the end of 2024, there were 754,000 rental properties on Airbnb in Italy, with a total of over 3 million beds. Forgetting about the pandemic, last year closed with a record number of active properties for tourists: 52% more than in 2017. However, signals of a slowdown are coming from cities like Venice and Milan, which owners attribute to bureau...
Where Art Meets the Rich Aroma of Coffee: The Lavazza Museum- A Stimulating Experience
Nestled in the heart of Turin, Italy, at the Nuvola Lavazza—the global headquarters of the renowned Italian coffee brand—lies the Lavazza Museum. Open to the public since 2018, the museum offers more than just a corporate showcase; it provides an immersive and sensory journey into the world of coffee. In a city famed for its rich history and stunni...
In the heart of Bologna, a medieval tradition that defies modern dining
In the heart of Bologna, a medieval tradition survives that defies all the rules of modern dining. The Osteria del Sole has been serving wine continuously since 1465 – yes, you read that right, since 1465. Think about it: when Columbus was still dreaming of reaching the Indies, this tavern was already welcoming thirsty Bolognese. But here's the tru...