Social egg freezing in Puglia: a new path to reproductive freedom
In a country where job insecurity and economic instability continue to discourage women from pursuing motherhood, the region of Puglia has introduced a groundbreaking policy: a one-time financial contribution of up to 3,000 euros to support social egg freezing. This is the first time a public institution in Italy has taken structured action on a to...
U.S. Consulate in Florence to remain open
Fears about the future of the U.S. Consulate in Florence have been laid to rest. On July 2 at a well-attended Independence Day celebration at Villa Taverna in Rome hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, Tilman Fertitta, and in the presence of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Ambassador announced that the Consulate General in Florence wou...
Ambassador Tilman J. Fertitta Celebrates U.S. Independence Day at Villa Taverna
Buonasera a tutti! Welcome to Villa Taverna. Tonight is special for so many reasons. First off, it’s my first Independence Day here and I hope to spend many more here. I want to thank each of you for joining us as we celebrate the 249th birthday of the United States of America. I want to thank our incredible team from the Embassy for putting on thi...
This Small City Is a Quieter Dupe for Florence—and It’s in Italy's Iconic 'Food Valley'
Have you ever stopped to think where the Parmigiano Reggiano you grate on your pasta comes from? If it is indeed authentic Parmigiano Reggiano—a product with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)—it was made in or around Parma, a charming Italian city about an hour from Bologna. And according to International Living, Parma is a perfect alternativ...
Italy's Most Beautiful Islands That You'll Never Want to Leave
Want to discover the best Italian islands that promise an unforgettable Mediterranean getaway? We’ve got you covered! Italy, a country synonymous with rich history, stunning architecture, and unparalleled cuisine, also boasts some of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. Having journeyed to Italy on three occasions, we dedicated three mo...
Olive Oil a Leading Focus in Italy’s Crackdown on Food Fraud
A significant portion of Italy’s food fraud prevention efforts in 2024 focused on olive oil. According to the new report of the central inspectorate for quality protection and anti-fraud of agri-food products (ICQRF), more than 8,200 of 54,000 food inspections targeted vegetable oils, with most of them related to extra virgin olive oil. Using a net...
A national memory made of music: ow the Cori Alpini help preserving Italy's alpine identity
Every winter, town squares and natural snow-covered stages across northern Italy come alive with the voices of male choirs wearing the distinctive feathered hats of the Alpini corps: these are the Cori Alpini, ensembles rooted in the traditions of Italy’s mountain infantry and closely connected to the cultural fabric of the country’s Alpine regions...
Livigno: a new emotion every day of the year among Italian Alps
If the mountains are beautiful in winter, in summer they can be just as stunning, or even more so, and Livigno is proof of this. This Alpine plateau is located in Valtellina, Lombardy, not far from the border between Italy and Switzerland. It is one of the most famous mountain resorts in Europe but perhaps not everyone knows how extraordinary these...
1 euro houses for sale in Tuscany in 2025
Tuscany is renowned for its natural beauty, exquisite wines, and rich historical heritage, but also for its villages, towns, and small cities facing depopulation, causing damage not only to local administrations but also to tourism. With the "1 euro houses in Tuscany 2025" initiative, Italian and foreign investors are offered the opportunity to pur...
Protecting workers from extreme heat: Italy's new workplace safety protocol
The Italian government, together with labor unions and industry associations, has introduced a new non-binding operational protocol aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat. While not legally mandatory, the agreement carries significant political weight and outlines practical measures to safeguard employees in both public and private sectors...
European Cultural Routes: the Franciscan path earns recognition ahead of St. Francis’ 800th anniversary
The European Cultural Routes are cross-border journeys that help travelers explore how Europeans have lived and interacted since ancient times. The concept was launched by the Council of Europe in 1987. One of the latest additions to this network is Saint Francis’ Ways: European Route of Franciscan Heritage, which has now been officially r...
Italian researchers earn 37 ERC grants, but brain drain remains a concern
Last week, the European Research Council (ERC)—the EU’s main funding body for basic scientific research—announced the recipients of its 2025 Advanced Grants. These highly competitive awards, totaling €721 million, are aimed at senior researchers who have already made significant contributions to their fields. A total of 281 projects were selected,...