A Southern Italian recipe for your Thanksgiving table
As autumn colors fade into winter and Thanksgiving draws near, I love celebrating the spirit of togetherness in true Italian style. This year, we’re sharing a seasonal recipe from one of Italy’s most soulful and least-known regions: Basilicata. Tucked between Campania and Puglia in the south of the country, Basilicata is a land of quiet beauty, […]
Step Into Italy’s Vineyards: A Hands-On Grape Harvest Experience
As the sun-dappled hills of Italy turn to gold in the crisp air of autumn, a cherished tradition awakens across the countryside: la vendemmia, the grape harvest. Happening from late August through early October, this annual celebration ushers in the harvest season while also embracing the joys of family, the bonds of community, and the […]
Pesto: The flavor of home
For this edition of Giovanna’s Gems, I wanted to do something a little different. When it comes to pesto, who better to tell the story than someone who grew up surrounded by the very hills and coastline that gave it life? So I asked Siel Agugliaro, the husband of Marika, our director of operations here at Discover my […]
Sunday lunch in Italy: Where tradition meets togetherness
There’s a hush that settles over Italian towns and cities on Sunday mornings. Shops are closed, the streets grow quiet, and a fragrant warmth begins to rise from every kitchen window. This is the sacred hour of il pranzo della domenica, or Sunday lunch: a beloved tradition that continues to nourish both body and soul across generations. […]
Ravioli Dolce, an Easter Delight
Ravioli Dolce are sweet Sicilian pastries traditionally made for Easter, filled with spiced ricotta. This beloved recipe from Rosa Rizza combines simple ingredients with festive flair. Lightly fried and dusted with sugar, they’re a warm, irresistible treat.
Italy’s “Capitals of Culture”
Every year since 2014, the Italian Ministry of Culture honors a city with the title “Città della Cultura”: a capital of Italian culture. Typically, one city is chosen. But for 2023, two cities in neighboring provinces, Brescia, and Bergamo, have been awarded this distinguished title.
Giovanna’s go-to Italian cooking classes
While in Italy, live to eat with Giovanna’s favorite cooks
Meet Rosa Rizza, Sicily’s cultural ambassador
Recently, Giovanna chatted with our local guide to Sicily, Rosa Rizza, about some of her favorite reasons for living there. Born in Sicily, Rosa grew up in the U.S., returned to Sicily after high school, and has never left. “This is home,” she says.
Naples – headquarters for holiday joy
And nobody does Christmas like Naples, whose unique local customs turn this fascinating city into a joyous wonderland. If you’re craving some genuine Christmas magic this holiday season, Naples is where you need to be!
Giovanna’s 3 top restaurants in Venice
I recently returned from Venice, where aside from renewing my love affair with that unique and wonderful city, I also visited three restaurants well worth discovering. I hope you’ll have a chance to enjoy them too.