Hate to break it to you, but you aren't the only one who's noticed that flights to Italy are almost cheaper than flights across the US right now. Don't not go -- go! -- but understand that top dogs like Rome, Venice, and Florence will be even more zoo-like than in years past. Bucket list cities the lot of them, but Italy's unforgettable food, favor...

Chef Luigi Diotaiuti was named culinary “Ambassador” for representing the cuisine of his home region at the Basilicata Food & Wine Festival in Matera, Italy. Chef Luigi Diotaiuti, owner of Washington, DC's Al Tiramisu and Aperto was honored with the title of being an Ambassador of Basilicata’s Cuisine in the World. The honor was presented by the Pr...

We made a brief stop at Grassano, one of the two small southern villages where Mussolini exiled Carlo Levi to silence him during the fascist’s ruinous reign.  But the real story of both Scotellaro and Levi is found in Matera. In Christ Stopped in Eboli Levi, a doctor and painter as well, also wrote briefly about the horrible conditions of Matera’s...

After three eventful days in Naples, we rented a car and drove over the mountain pass to the Amalfi Coast, the iconic site of southern affluence and prosperity. The Amalfi Coast is another of those iconic, idealized images of the South too often portrayed in American magazines. After three days, we drove to Paestum, renowned for its Greek temples....

After completing our annual month of Italian language study in Rome, my wife Carole and I headed south for yet another tour of Southern Italy’s many cities, towns, and villages.  We had traveled to the South on at least three previous visits. Our itinerary included stops from the totally unknown to the familiar, including the now famous UNESCO Nati...

The San Giuliano Lake Oasis is located in the San Giuliano Regional Reserve, established in 2000 in the municipalities of Grottole and Miglionico, in the Matera province. The area covers about 1300 hectares and is one of the most important wetlands of Basilicata.

The cozy interior along with the authentic food of Matera's On Park is meant to create a homey Italian atmosphere for Rutherford's Park Avenue. "Everything we make is like Mom’s," Chef and General Manager Erica Russo said. Hoping to bring the culture, food and feel of the Italian city co-owner Mark Forte's family originated from, the business was f...

di Giampaolo Colletti   Nel 2015 sogno di ripartire da quell'Italia che ho ammirato anche nel corso del 2014. Quante strade, quanti viaggio, quante persone ho avuto il piacere di incontrare nell'anno che sta per chiudersi. Un futuro che si prova a disegnare a immagine e somiglianza della propria comunità locale, cercando nelle nuove tecnolo...

by Joshua Barone   John Hooper says he is often a little puzzled by Italy. "It's a country that seems to be all on the surface, but actually a lot of things are hidden," said Hooper, author of "The Italians," a cultural study of the country that was published by Viking recently.   "That can be at times sinister, but it can also...

by Chiara Giovoni   There can no longer be any doubt regarding its unique charm, as rosé mania has been in full flow for some time now. Despite this, quality rosé wine is often not well known, and people tend to think that all rosés are similar, simple wines, and they are sometimes almost scornfully described as being "for women."   W...