Italian Decor Craft

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You'll need:

• 2 coffee filters
• Packet of instant coffee
• Needle and Thread
• Glue
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Sharpie Marker

Authentic Italian Recipe: Biscotti

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 1:

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup chopped pistachios*
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract**
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

* You may substitute with almonds or hazelnuts

** You may substitute with almond extract

From the Editor: Il Nostro Ultimo Giorno in Italia: Our Final Day in Italy

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This past week, I have had an amazing time sharing some of my favorite things about Italy. From the music to the beautiful vistas, I am absolutely in love with this country.

Before I reveal our next destination of the week, I want to share some more Italian treats to bring into your everyday life. And what better way to do that then by sharing food recipes!!!

One of my FAVORITE Italian desserts is a biscotti. Biscotti, more correctly known as Biscotti di Prato, is a twice baked "cake" from the Italian city of Prato. Because many traditional Italian desserts shy away from using oil and butter, this treat can be stored for long periods of time without going bad. In fact, that was the original thought behind the treat.

Today, I made an authentic biscotti recipe (well, as authentic as possible!) I am what they call "culinarily challenged" and even I found this recipe easy and totally do-able.

I also decided to double up on my posts and do a cute little D.I.Y. project to fit my Italian theme. You can not have a biscotti without dipping it in a nice cappuccino or espresso. So I decided to make my own variation of a tea-bag, and I made home-made Instant Coffee bags to make with my biscotti!

Let me tell you, it was EXTRAORDINARY! I love Italy. I'm totally in love with the language and culture, and it's been great "exploring" the country this week.

Stay tuned for our next Destination of the Week!

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Arrivederci!

Photo Tour of Italy

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It would take the well-informed (and financial able) traveler a good year and change to fully explore a county, and soak up all it has to offer. And let's be realistic, even after that year there will most definitely be things and places that fall through the cracks of sites to seen.

But luckily for all of you (and your pocket books) you can take this quick tour of some of the most renown places to visit in Italy, and a few recommendations of places "off the beaten path" if you ever make the trek to Italy.

Click here for an in depth look at some of my favorite Italian tourist attraction, and hidden treasures!

Godervi il vostro viaggio!

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Italian Music Playlist

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One of my favorite things about Italian culture is Italian music. I grew up listening to beautiful tappings of canzoni Italiane that belonged to my grandfather. He loved Italian music, and would play classic songs with his musical revue.

Music has traditionally been one of the cultural makers of Italian national and ethnic identity. It symbolizes an important position in Italian society and politics. Both instrumental and vocal classical music are an iconic part of the "Italian identity".

Genres like Opera are a vital player in the Italian musical culture, and has positioned itself as a major segment of the country's popular music tastes. The Neapolitan Song, or canzone Napoletana, is a popular domestic style that forms an important component of the Italian music industry, along side "imported" genres like jazz, folk, rock, and disco.

Music, some would say, embodies the Italian spirit: vibrant and upbeat. From their ballads, to their sacred songs, even their experimental jazz/funk music that fills the speakers at many discotecas, Italians have made a literal art form out of the music that defines the people. Some popular music festivals to check out in Italy include the Festival of Spoleto, the Festival Puccini, and the Wagner Festival in Ravello.

Here is the list of the 10 Songs I Love in Italian. Click here for music links to the songs below.

From the Editor: When in Rome.....

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Ciao Tutti! Benvenuti in Italia!!!

It gives me great pleasure to announce our first destination of the week will be to Italy! This past weekend, I spent time in Napa, CA with my family celebrating my grandparents 51st wedding anniversary! Woo! Amidst family and  friends, good music and food, I got to soak up some of the local culture in Napa. That means taking a trip to a local winery (or two).  That was my first time wine tasting, and I had such an incredible time.

But that night, I got to thinking "I want to learn about wine from the source!" That lead me to thinking about that old  I Love Lucy episode where Lucy and the gang take a trip to Italy, and Lucy ends up stomping grapes and making trouble in the vineyard, as only Lucy could do. A little light bulb went off in my head, and alas, this week we will be taking a little viaggio to Italy.

Italy is the mecca for decadent and indulgent food and culture. Not to mention, if you are a history buff (or a self proclaimed "history nerd," like myself) you will foam at mouth over the well preserved ancient art and architecture that decorate the cities. Che bello!

This week, we will dive into classic Italian food, art, history, and cultural customs to make your everyday life just a little more "Italian".   Godiamoci....

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Addio!