The Curious Traveler

Culture

Where to Discover Tuscany's Marble: Exploring the Area of Massa Carrara

by Laura Morelli | Tue, 01/23/2018 - 04:28

Tuscany is one of the most well-loved parts of Italy, but most international travelers overlook the region’s northernmost province, known as Massa Carrara.…

Culture

Really Want to Learn Italian? Skip Italy's Biggest Cities and Head to Spello Instead

by Anonymous (not verified) | Sat, 01/06/2018 - 00:13

By: Jennifer Gherardi I found myself in a conundrum about learning Italian and it seems to be a common problem for language learners. My husband is Italian…

Travel

Epiphany Day in Florence: See the 'Ride of the Magi' Parade

by Silvia Donati | Thu, 01/04/2018 - 04:45

The holidays aren’t over in Italy until the Befana comes around, January 6 or Epiphany Day, a feast that, in Western Christianity, commemorates the visit of…

Culture

Alabaster of Volterra: An Easy to Model Stone Formed Thousands of Years Ago

by Laura Morelli | Tue, 01/02/2018 - 18:35

Since ancient times, the people of central Italy have mined alabaster from the hills of the Tuscan countryside. The ancient Etruscans prized alabaster for its…

Travel

Five Churches with a (Spectacular) View in the Dolomites

by Silvia Donati | Mon, 12/11/2017 - 09:00

They are scattered everywhere around the area, even in the most remote places - and that’s often what makes them even more charming: the churches and chapels,…

Travel

The Italian Forest That Has the Sound of Violins

by Silvia Donati | Thu, 12/07/2017 - 03:00

It’s known as the ‘Forest of the Violins’ (Foresta dei Violini) because, in the past, luthier masters, including the most famous of them all, the legendary…

Food & Drink

Parma Pleasures: Prosciutto and Parmigiano

by Silvia Donati | Thu, 11/23/2017 - 06:00

[Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano, Parma's most famous food products. Photo courtesy Maestro Travel Experience.] In 2015, Parma was declared by…

Culture

Why You Shouldn't Miss These Seven Gorgeous Apennine Hill Towns on Your Next Trip to Italy

by csabino | Tue, 11/14/2017 - 05:32

For an authentic glimpse of other-era Italy, a visit to the country’s small, sometimes very small hill towns (with populations under 1000 and requiring several…

Food & Drink

Your Guide to Visiting FICO Eataly World in Bologna

by Silvia Donati | Fri, 11/10/2017 - 08:05

100,000 square meters dedicated to Italian biodiversity and culinary traditions: FICO Eataly World is scheduled to open in Bologna on November 15. Our Silvia…

Food & Drink

Olive Harvest in the Veneto

by Myra Robinson | Thu, 11/09/2017 - 06:20

Here’s an unusual bit of vocabulary for all would-be Italian speakers: frantoio. This word means not only an olive press, but the farm which produces the olive…