All my friends in the United States are complaining about higher costs. I believe them. I know. But here in Italy, the cost of living has gone up, too. It’s not as bad as in the U.S. but bad enough for Italians to take to the streets and protest. Here’s a hard look at what it is costing Italians and me today.
No individual travel aloud. Dirty cars heavily fined. A monument for dogs. Turkmenistan is one of the most isolated countries in the world and definitely the weirdest. I spent nine days in the desert country recently and came away with this report. It’s the first of a three-part series.
Since retiring to Rome in 2014, I’ve made countless trips across Italy, from Sicily to the Alps. Many Italians don’t leave the country during their vacation. I do but I can see the appeal. Here are my five favorite trips in Italy, in order, with transportation and price info and links to more detailed blogs.
Fewer Americans are visiting Italy this year as they fear the crowds of the Jubilee, the drop in exchange rate and political instability. But the fears are misplaced and some travel agencies have experienced a recent surge. Here’s a quick analysis.
Arguably the best coach in Italy joined AS Roma this year and combined with the best goalkeeper in Serie A and a dynamic 20-year-old striker from Ireland, the club has new hope to end major droughts. I covered Saturday’s season opener at Stadio Olimpico and here’s my report.
The changing role of the Italian woman and the declining Italian economy has led to a dying art in the Italian kitchen: Making pasta by hand. But two enterprising young women in a small town near Rome are teaming with 15 Italian grandmothers to teach tourists the fine art. I took the class and filed this report.
I’ve been singing the praises of Italy’s healthcare ever since I retired here in 2014. This month I have another reason to celebrate it. On Aug. 1 I had a hip replacement. One week later I was walking without crutches or pain. I interviewed my surgeon and discussed the massive gap between Italian and U.S. healthcare.
Italy has so much to offer so many people, millions of visitors have no idea how many other great features fall under the radar. From fruit to Molise to Italian drinking habits, Italy is full of surprises. Here are 10 of my favorites.
PESCOCOSTANZO, Italy – I hate July in Italy. July is our dog days. La Dolce Vita is La Schifo Vita (The Life Sucks), Rome especially is steaming. It’s crowded. It’s just late enough in summer for the beaches to become packed but not late enough for the city to let out its hordes for holiday. […]
I attended Dolce & Gabbana’s exhibit at the gargantuan Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome Wednesday. The outfits on display, all from past fashion shows around the world, were outrageous. Bamboo miniskirts. Dresses made up entirely of flowers. One cloak depicted a canal scene from Venice. But it provided insight into one of the world’s leading fashion houses, one that earned €1.9 billion in sales last year. D&G also has an interesting history.
Continuing my addition of videos onto my website, I am doing my 10 Favorite Cities in the World. This comes two months after my video on my 10 Least Favorite Cities in the World. I wonder which will get a more negative reaction.
Five years ago I wrote My Five Favorite Restaurants in Italy. I’ve traveled a lot around the country since then so it’s time for an update. I picked five, but No. 1 remains the same. Check it out and take it with you on your next trip to Italy. Note: I left out Rome as I annually write My Five Favorite Restaurants in the city.
