When I sat down to write my first blogpost 10 years ago, I wasn’t even sure what a blog was. I knew I had visited blogs on occasion, searching google for various topics, but I would have had to stretch my mind to picture someone on the other side of the earth doing the same thing and ending up on …
Castles and Wines of Calabria Easy-Walking Tour, Inaugural Journey
How many days in Calabria? People are always amazed when they come upon my tours and realize that the entire program focuses on one lesser-known region. Discerning individuals, however, are rather delighted, not concerned with mass tourism’s raised eyebrow at the idea of a third itinerary in an area used by industry behemoths as a pass-through for their big bus …
“Detti Calabresi,” Calabrian Sayings from Borgo Croce
How often do we hear about Italy’s abandoned villages? Inhabitants moved away for work, to larger cities, to the north or abroad. In a frazione of Fiumara, a group of townsfolk decided that they didn’t want to move away from their “neighborhood” in the foothills of the Aspromonte Mountains overlooking the Strait of Messina in the Province of Reggio Calabria. …
Contemporary Sculptures of Edoardo Tresoldi in Calabria
Calabria is synonymous with spectacular landscapes and outstanding cuisine. Visitors flock to the region in the toe of the Italian boot for its beautiful beaches and even to visit the Riace Bronzes, expecting to soak up a bit of ancient culture along with a few rays and a lot of great food. But contemporary art? Yes, you can catch that, …
Gerace, Medieval Village in Calabria
Beautiful inside and out, Gerace charms with its maze of medieval streets clustered on a promontory at the edge of the Aspromonte Mountains in Southern Calabria. The town can’t be missed for miles around and views over the surrounding territory out to the Ionian Sea are stunning. No wonder Gerace is one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages (Borghi più belli …
Umberto Boccioni, My 20 Cents
Italian artist Umberto Boccioni was a mover and shaker – an influencer of his time, a painter and sculptor, a writer and proponent of Futurism. His work not only graces the halls of the world’s most illustrious museums but holds a place in the lives of Italian citizens and their international guests.
Wine Tasting at a Hospitality School in Calabria
Who doesn’t like a wine tasting? A friend recently invited me to a degustazione di vini at a school in Villa San Giovanni, Calabria, and I jumped at the opportunity to sample wines from twenty different Calabrian producers. Attempting to taste even a percentage of the wines on offer that evening would be a challenge, but I was certainly more …
Stanley Tucci in Calabria
Where will Tucci go next? His Searching for Italy has managed to create a buzz with the mystery, revealed just prior to the new season. Although it’s a country with a richness that could take a lifetime to explore, I wasn’t surprised that this fall the show would kick off with Stanley Tucci in Calabria.
Bronzi di Riace: 50th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Riace Bronzes
Walking on a sandy beach, most of us don’t have much more hope than of spotting a decent seashell. There are those who hunt for treasures, armed with metal detectors on land, simple goggles in shallow water and elaborate equipment further out to sea. Very few ever find anything of value, but those who do, keep the dream alive, such …
What is a Brigand?
The word “brigand” – brigante in Italian – is heard quite a bit with reference to Southern Italy, and I have noticed a certain confusion, particularly amongst English speakers, as to its significance. It’s an important term in understanding the Italian South and the history of Italy, so I thought I’d contribute my two cents to the question, “What is …