Italy

Last fall, I convinced my husband that he really needed to experience all of the beauty that Umbria, the lush, scenic region that borders Tuscany,  had to offer — including the picturesque rolling vineyards and incredible wine tasting experiences. I had traveled throughout the region when we lived in Italy, but he had never seen the true Italian countryside. So we set off to tour a few wineries in the region and received the VIP …

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live abroad as an expat, a Diplomat, I’m about to spill my secrets. Aside from the Diplomatic passport (best souvenir ever!), there were many perks to being an expat. I’m the adventurous one, so when my husband had an opportunity to move to Milan, Italy for work with the government, I had us packed up before he could say “no”. My kids were only 7 and 9 …

I lived in Milan for more than two years and despite its reputation as a high-powered business destination, there really are a few great sites to see, especially on a quick layover in Milan. For most, it’s just a layover destination as they connect to Venice or Florence. But here are a few reasons why spending a day in the world’s fashion capital is worth it. Milan, a city in northern Italy and the capital …

When I was an expat living in Milan, Italy, Tuscany became our escape from the hectic city life. After a few visits, we felt like “locals”, and preferred renting a villa in Tuscany over staying in a tourist hotel. That’s when I discovered the agriturismo concept, which is the best way to experience Tuscany. What is an agriturismo?Agriturismi are accommodations located on working farms in Italy. The term is derived from the Italian words “agricoltura” …

Because I lived in Italy, people are always asking for my advice on where to go and what to see in their Italy trip planning. I pulled several emails I’ve sent over the years and culled all of my advice into this post. The first thing with Italy trip planning is to figure out the region you want to visit. Much of your trip planning will also depend on how much time you have. My one …

Chris’s grandfather came to the U.S. from Sicily when he was 17 years old. He left behind seven sisters but never returned to his homeland. He wound up a fat, happy Italian man working in the garment district of New York City. Chris’s mother had always retained her strong ties to Italy. She had visited Italy before but had never ventured to the island to re-establish her roots. She had in fact kept in touch with two …