As much as I love Venice, Florence is also near and dear to me. So let me introduce my friend Chandi who is a fellow Californian, a few minutes away in beautiful Santa Cruz. Her story is an inspiration for…
The Fiaschetteria Toscana restaurant has been around for 60 years on a small street between San Marco and Fondamenta Nove. It was a proud member of the association I Ristoranti del Buon Ricordo, living up to the standards of the…
The end of the plague is always a cause for celebration, even if it ended in 1576. And fortunately, for all of us, the Doge Alvise Mocenigo kept his promise and built the magnificent Church of the Redeemer aka Il…
Venice awarded “il Premio dei Musei Civici” (top honors) to 101 year old Emma Vidal, born and raised in Burano. She learned the art of lace and embroidery at la Scuola del Merletto, taught by the sisters. She became a…
Tourist are always just that – tourist. Peering through the windows wondering what life is really like. Our window as tourist changed forever when Bethany married Enzo. Neither spoke the other’s language, but we were joined to an Italian family…
L’Epifany, the 6th of January is a date anticipated by all the children of Italy. On the night of the 5th, they await the haggard old lady on the broom in hope of stockings being filled with gifts, occasionally coal for…
A few years ago, Cenendese, a very successful Murano Glass furnace created a modern Christmas Tree weighing about 4 tonnes, as part of an art project in Murano which involved the collaboration of several other businesses in Murano. There names…
70th Anniversary April 25 marked the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Italy. There are parades on all the islands and towns around the lagoon as locals recall this important day in the history of Italy and Europe. Admittedly, each…
Did you ever wonder what Italians are really saying with all those hand signs and waving? Italian Hand Gestures video will teach you and have you laughing. Speaking Italian is fun, even if you know a few words. The Italians,…
We all appreciate the Italian Style, from the runways of Milano the newest fashions arrive. They have given us Gucci, Versace, Prada, Armani and the list goes on. These same designers are responsible for the uniforms of the Polizia (police)…