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How to Order Coffee Like a Roman

Budget Travel's Kate Appleton has a quick instructional video on how to order coffee like a real Roman. Short, sweet, and filmed at Tazza d'Oro near the Pantheon, this video will definitely show you how to drink as the Romans drink.

Heidi Swanson's Roman Encounters

Heidi Swanson, the author of 101 Cookbooks, a fantastic San Francisco-based natural cooking blog, doesn't just write about food from all over the world-she actually goes to the source. Her beautiful blog is filled with food articles from her travels. Most interesting to the readers of MoltoItaly are her Italian trips, of course. Not only does she recommend restaurants, cafes and food shops, but she comments on the people and scenery as well-with stunning photos to illustrate. See her article on a trip to the Eternal City: 20 Things I Encountered in Rome.

Albergo del Senato at the Pantheon

The Pantheon is my favorite building in Rome and Piazza della Rotonda is the quintessence of the Eternal City. Albergo del Senato is located directly on the Piazza and from its rooms you will think you can actually reach out and touch the great dome of the Pantheon. This 3-star hotel occupies a 19th century palazzo that has been redesigned utilizing all the modern amenities while keeping its antique details. The hotel provides a beautiful breakfast (double rooms start at under 200 Euros in the high season) and has a breathtaking rooftop terrace bar from which you can contemplate the beauty of the Pantheon high above the crowds. Book a superior suite for a truly elegant Italian experience.

Vatican Museums Open from 7-11 pm on July 24

Next Friday, the Vatican Museums will be open from 7:00-11:00 pm (19:00-23:00). These evening hours, the first of their kind for the Vatican, have been in place at several other world-class museums (the Uffizi and the Louvre) and have been a great success. If it goes well on July 24th, this could be a regular occurrence. What a great way to entertain kids and keep cool at night in Rome!

Where to Buy Capri Pants on Capri

Yes, Capri pants really did originate on the island of Capri. Perhaps they were invented to make hopping from your yacht to the dock a little less hazardous. The place to buy them is La Parisienne in Piazza Umberto 1 (#7). Jackie Onassis bought them by the dozen here and Audrey Hepburn made La Parisienne's cropped pants part of her iconic style. Get them in classic white and wear them with big shades for that true casual Italian holiday look. (They even do custom orders!)

Jazz in the Villa Medici

Villa Medici, home to the French Academy in Rome, is hosting a small jazz festival this week as part of Estate Romana (June 24-26). While we missed the first two nights, Friday night's program is sure to be a great crowd-pleaser with Daniele Scannapieco on sax. The performances are outside in the Villa's famous gardens. Doors open at 7:30, music starts at 9:00. You can buy a reduced ticket with your RomaPiu pass!

Venice's Londra Palace Restored to Old Glory

Just down the "street" from St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs, is the Londra Palace Hotel. With views across the lagoon, this hotel's location is incomparable. And now its interior has been painstakingly restored to reflect the grand history and beauty of Venice. The hotel's rooms are furnished with authentic antiques and its restaurants are light-filled and pleasant. The water-taxi stops right in front of the hotel so you will be able to see all of Venice from your doorstep. Be sure to ask for a room with a view!

Castiglion del Bosco: Ferragamo's Tuscan Retreat

Massimo Ferragamo has restored an ancient Tuscan estate in the heart of Brunello wine-making country. Castiglion del Bosco is a group of private villas for sale, all decorated with the finest materials. If purchasing an Italian villa is a little too rich for your blood, there are 26 suites and guestrooms available for short-term stays in the old estate owner's villa, called Il Borgo, along with a cooking school, restaurants and a spa (opening in 2010). Your own private Italy-in high style.

Food Wine Rome: A Foodie's Guide to Rome

Food Wine Rome, a new guidebook by David Downie (food and travel writer who has contributed to Gourmet and Bon Appetit and many many other food publications), is the food guidebook for gourmets who are visiting Rome. In his book you will discover the best restaurants, food shops, and wine purveyors. Even long-time residents of Rome will find surprises in this beautifully designed and illustrated book.

Estate Romana 2009 Calendar is On-Line

At long last, the Estate Romana (Roman Summer) calendar of events is live. Go to en.estateromana.commune.roma.it for all the details on summer concerts, exhibitions, and performances in Rome-many of them FREE!

The Pool at the Hotel Caruso Belvedere

The Hotel Caruso Belvedere in Ravello (my favorite town on the Amalfi Coast) is so spectacular, Budget Travel has written a whole article about it. Well, part of an article, anyway. Read all about this infinity pool with the most incredible view of the Mediterranean at budgettravel.com.

Bir e Fud's Brewery Tour in Abruzzo

For you beer aficionados who will be in Italy on June 20th, Trastevere's Bir e Fud is planning a tour of Opperbacco di Notaresco, an artisanal brewery near Teramo in Abruzzo. For 20 Euros you will get a tour and beer tasting at the brewery along with a picnic lunch consisting of delicious antipasti. Make reservations through Bir e Fud by calling 39.06.5561677. Buon Apetito!

The Saldi Calendar

After months of searching, I have finally found what appears to be a calendar of Italy's summer sale season. The website which has published the calendar, pricesharing.it, claims to be an on-line consumer review organization. Where they got their information, they do not say. But so far it's the only Saldi calendar I have seen on the web, so I'll take it. Rome starts its Saldi on July 4th, Venice on July 5th, and Florence on July 12th. The discounts on this season's fashions will be considerable, so be sure to save your Euros for some stylish new Italian clothes!

Stay Up Late Reading

What to do if you can't sleep in Rome? Hit Via Veneto Libreria (owned by the local independent chain of bookstores, Arion), which is open until midnight on weekends. The massive store has a coffee shop and a great selection of foreign language books, including English. Yes, you can probably think of 100 things to do at night in Rome, but you never know when you'll need Henry James, do you? Via Veneto 42.

La Biennale in Venice is Here!

Venice's La Biennale, one of the world's premier cultural institutions, has begun. Films, dance, music and art are the focus of this century-old celebration of international creativity. At many venues throughout the city you can see the work of award-winning artists, directors, composers and dancers. This year, the artist Bruce Nauman has won the prestigious Golden Lion award for his design of the American Pavilion, a work entitled "Topological Gardens." To take part in the various events of La Biennale, buy tickets here.

La Maremma-Tuscany's Mediterranean Coast

It's summer in Italy and the only place to truly cool off is the beach. The New York Times has an article on the Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany, a.k.a. La Maremma. See Frank Bruni's suggestions for hotels, restaurants and things to do in this relatively unknown stretch of the Mediterranean. He even visits Elba, the site of Napolean's exile. If you love history, scenery, and delicious food, you will love La Maremma. It's just a short drive from Rome and Florence-perfect for a weekend trip.

More Ways to Help Abruzzo

The Slow Food Network is looking to donate $25,000 to help victims of the Abruzzo earthquake with basic necessities. Just $25 helps a local farmer pay for a table at the new market in l'Aquila. You can help by going to GlobalGiving.com and making a donation.

Ferragamo's Celebrity Handbag Auction to Benefit Abruzzo

Ferragamo and GlobalGiving.com have put a collection of handbags donated by celebrities (Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Eva Longoria, to name a few) on eBay. All proceeds go directly to benefit the Abruzzo region, which was devastated by an earthquake earlier this year. At last check, Madonna's Sophia bag was going for $2,235. Read more about it on eternallycool.net. Want to donate to the cause but aren't interested in fashion? GlobalGiving.com has an Italy Earthquake Relief Fund that you can donate to anytime you want.

Raphael, His Mistress, and Saltimbocca

Ristorante Romolo nel Giardino di Raffaello e della Fornarina, also known as Romolo, is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner in Trastevere. The restaurant, which serves typical Roman cuisine, was opened in 1950 and is located in the house and garden that supposedly belonged to Raphael's mistress, the daughter of a baker (il forno). While Raphael was working on the nearby Villa Farnesina, he would steal away to meet his lover and model, Margherita Luti. You won't find this restaurant and its very pretty garden in many of the tourist books (and hopefully you won't find many tourists either). Via di Porta Settimiana 8. Tel.065818284.

125 Years of Bulgari in Rome

In 1884, Bulgari opened its first store in Rome. Since then, the jeweler has been inspiring women all over the world with its creative and innovative designs. Naturally, the jewels of Bulgari are in perfect keeping with my other-life fantasy of being an Italian contessa. Now I (and dreamers like me) can get a little closer to Bulgari's works at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. The museum, located on the Via Nazionale, is presenting eight galleries full of jewelry created throughout the past 125 years. Don't miss the gallery devoted entirely to Elizabeth Taylor's Bulgari collection! Now through September 13th.

Castello Falconara in Butera, Sicily

Not far from Caltagirone, just off the road that leads from Siracusa to Agrigento, is the Norman-era Castello Falconara. The castello and its grounds are now host to the 5-star Falconara Resort. The resort lies on a promontory in the Mediterranean and is redesigned in a stunning marriage of classical and modern elegance. Every amenity is available, from spa facilities, pool and tennis to a children's playground and canoe rental. The restaurant and the rooms are stunning, with panoramic views of the castello and the sea. If you are headed to southeastern Sicily, the location of this resort in Butera is ideal, for it is centrally located among the great sites of Piazza Armerina, Agrigento and Siracusa.

A Driving Tour of the Amalfi Coast

National Geographic Traveler has the scoop on driving the scenic roads of the Amalfi Coast. You'll find tips on what stops to make, what routes to take and how to avoid crowds (and the dangerous traffic that comes with them). Here's a couple of tips from me: don't drive the roads at night and make sure your car is small-not like the huge station wagon I drove the last time I was there!

How to Get Your Italian Fashion Fix On-line

Italian style is bold, whimsical and elegant. Not only are the designers unique, but the way that Italians put themselves together is so different from the rest of the fashion world. But where can you go to get your Italian fashion fix? Sei di Moda, DWeb and Velvet are three fashion websites connected to La Repubblica, Italy's premier newspaper. They will tell you all about the latest trends in Italy, give you updates on the fashion shows in Milan, and alert you to the important fashion events in Italy (like Saldi!). They will also clue you in to Italian gossip, home design and beauty. Of course, it's all in Italian, but the pictures can tell you more than enough!

Naranzaria Wine Bar in Venice

In another life I was definitely an Italian contessa, living la dolce vita in one of my many villas and dressing in the latest Milanese fashions. Real-life contessas in Italy certainly do those things, but they also do so much more! Contessa Marie Brandolini, who owns her own Venetian glassmaking studio, runs the wine bar Naranzaria on the Grand Canal that showcases her family's wines and the fresh tastes of the Veneto region. Seafood is the specialty and with the Rialto so close you are guaranteed to have the best of what is available daily. The views of Venice from the restaurant are superb. Naranzaria stays open until 2 a.m., unusual in a town which is known for turning its lights out early.

Ca' Matilde in Reggio Emilia Earns a Michelin Star

With a regional tasting menu at 45 Euros, Ca' Matilde in Reggio Emilia is a bargain-and until now has been a well-kept secret. Recently the restaurant, which is part of an inn just outside of Rubinniano, Reggio Emilia, earned a Michelin star. The menu is full of local favorites with modern and creative twists, such as pumpkin tortellini and the favorite dessert of the region, Zuppa Inglese (English trifle with ladyfingers). There's even a kid's menu! The setting of the restaurant and inn is idyllic and certainly worth getting off the beaten track for.

Villas Villas Villas

Travel and Leisure highlights Tuscan villas this month-and how to enjoy them on a budget. T and L has five villas where doubles cost less than $300 a night. Locanda del Glicine in Campagnatico offers an inn in the village and a farmhouse (Pieve Vecchia, pictured) in the countryside. Choosing which one is the hardest part! Villa Bordoni in the Chianti region is owned by the very same proprieters of Trattoria Baldovino in Florence and there is a cooking school on-site. Villa il Poggiale in Val di Pesa is an historic estate with wood-beamed ceilings decorated in superb Renaissance style. There is also a small private two-bedroom cottage on the estate available for 300 Euros, complete with kitchen. Villa le Luci in Castagneto Carducci, not far from the Tyrrhenian Sea, has six bedrooms and one suite, all finished in luxuriously spare style. Villa Poggiano near Montepulciano (one of my favorite regions!) has a gorgeous pool, light and airy rooms, and a breakfast to die for. PS: The next Twilight movie is filmed in Montepulciano!

Contessa Nally: Must-See Italian Fashion Blog

If you want to see fashion shows, artists and beautiful people up close, go to contessanally.blogspot.com. Venice resident Contessa Nally Manfredi Bellati is a photographer and stylist who has worked for Vogue and Bazaar and whose photos appear in magazines all over the world. Now you can see her candid photos of Milan (pictured), Paris and New York's Fashion Weeks and many other fashionable and fabulous events all over Italy on her blog. You will definitely be mesmerized by her beautiful world.

Venice Glassmaking Made Clear

Venice has been the home of the world's best glassblowers for centuries. But which glassmakers should you visit when you are in Venice? Here are a few that you will enjoy, with prices ranging from accessible to fantastical! Giberto Arrivabene makes glass according to the traditions of the aristocracy, and you can find his works at Chiarastella Cattana in Piazza San Marco and also at Emporio Le Sirenuse in Positano. Carlo Moretti brings a modern and colorful touch to assymetrical pieces that you can buy all over the world, even in the United States. Marie Brandolini designs tumblers and serveware incorporating the famous Venetian glass beads (pictured). Giordana Naccari's colorful and organic shapes evoke the past-with a funky point of view. Visit her shop, L'Angolo del Passato at Campiello dei Squelini.

Free Guide to Rome's Angels and Demons

Angela Nickerson, the author of A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome, has published a guide to the Rome of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. You can get this guide for free at Roaring Forties Press. Thanks eternallycool.net for clueing us in!

Serious Eats in Italy

SeriousEats.com, a website devoted to serious food all over the world, is a great resource for restaurants, cafes and bars in Italy. A recent search on the website turned up articles on a mozzarella bar in Rome, a day of food in Abruzzo, and prosciutto di Parma. There is even an entire blog devoted to pizza, slice.seriouseats.com. Buon Gusto!

On the Beach in Positano

Positano is certainly where the beautiful people are. At the Grande Spiaggia (big beach) you can join them at La Scogliera (the reef) for drinks and snacks or for lunch and dinner on the terrace at L'Incanto. The restaurant is open-air and offers a myriad of seafood options and a view of the sea. They will gladly reserve a beach chair and umbrella for you-and bring your lunch to you as you lounge in the sand.

Angels and Demons Walking Tour

Tomorrow is the big day-Angels and Demons opens all over the U.S.! If you are headed to Rome, you can take a walking tour of the major sites. For $74 per person, Viator will take you to the famous and not so famous places mentioned in Dan Brown's book. They will even read some of the passages aloud at a few sites to truly bring the book to life. If a guided tour (that costs money!) is not your idea of chasing down Angels and Demons, talk a walking tour by yourself. MSNBC has created an Angels and Demons 48 Hour Itinerary that you can follow on your own. They even recommend restaurants and shopping, like TAD department store, along the way. Diverti te!

Estate Romana 2009

More concert dates have been announced for Estate Romana 2009. Lauryn Hill (July 3), Burt Bacharach (July 24) and Tracy Chapman (July 27) will be performing in Rome-get tickets and details at www.romeguide.it. Stay tuned for the Estate Romana 2009 website.

Candied Chestnuts from Piedmont

One of the greatest delicacies of Italy are marroni canditi (candied chestnuts). Hard to find in the U.S., Zingerman's now imports them from the Bardini brothers in Cuneo, Piemonte. The process of making the chestnuts is intense-they are soaked in water for a week in underground caves, then in vanilla syrup, and then rolled in sugar. You won't recognize them as chestnuts, but you will definitely fall in love.

Hotel Capo d'Africa in Rome

An award-winning boutique hotel close to the Colosseum, Capo d'Africa is a an easy home base for the tourist who wants all the comforts of space, efficiency and modernity. Breakfast is included in the price (rooms start at under 200 Euros if you book in advance) and every Wednesday they offer live jazz. Located in a 19th century palazzo, this thoroughly updated hotel is perfect for visits to the Roman Forum and Nero's Golden House.

The Best Sandwiches in Florence

Students and locals alike adore l'Antico Noe, a sandwich shop just a short walk from the Duomo. Here you can have real Italian panini made with the best meats and cheeses (salami, prosciutto, bufala mozzarella!). The food is cheap and you can even order a glass of wine to wash it down. Next door is an osteria owned by the same proprietor serving slow-cooked steaks and Tuscan dishes. The owner, Massimo, makes the sandwiches and if you become a regular, he'll never forget you! Volta di San Piero 6r.

Castello Ruspoli in Vignanello

The Ruspolis and their ancestors have been prominent in Italy since the days of Charlemagne, and their ancestral home, Castello Ruspoli in Vignanello, is famous for its gardens. Designed during the Renaissance by the architect Sangallo, the parterre (garden) of maze-like hedges was set up by Giulia Farnese, the wife of the famous Count Orsini who built the Parco dei Monstri in Bomarzo. You can visit the Castello and its gardens every Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (or arrange for a private tour). You may even catch a glimpse of Princess Claudia Ruspoli, who often helps to collect the tickets!

Antinori Estates-623 Years of Winemaking

60 Minutes aired a spot on the Antinori family vineyards of Italy last night. Since 1385, the Antinori family of Florence has been producing white and red wines according to traditional methods and using old-growth vines. They have estates all over Tuscany and Umbria, including Badia a Passignano where you can purchase wine and dine in the osteria (Italian wineries are not usually open to the public as they are in the USA). Their palazzo in Florence even has special wine-related art exhibitions from time to time (most recently on ancient Greek glassware). Their wines are distributed all over Italy and even the USA.

Castello di Reschio-Villa Rental in Umbria

Deep in the hills of Umbria is an 11th century castle surrounded by 2,700 acre private estate. On this estate, Castello di Reschio, are 50 farmhouses that have been painstakingly and luxuriously restored by the Bolza family. The villas are for sale to the public (don't ask the price) but if buying a villa in Italy is a little out of your reach, four of these villas are available for vacation rental! They definitely are not cheap, but the prices per night are comparable to the luxury hotels of Italy and you get your own pool, concierge service, gourmet kitchens and access to the estate's extensive hiking and horsebackriding trails. Castello di Reschio is just 20 minutes from Perugia and 2 hours from Rome and Tuscany, the perfect home base of an extended vacation in your own private Italy.

San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants

San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants have been chosen and six restaurants in Italy have made the list. The restaurants are innovative, experimental, and break the bonds of tradition all the while being the most chic in the city and country. The Italian restaurant ranked highest on the list is Osteria Francescana in Modena with the Michelin-starred Ristorante Cracco in Milan not far behind. The famous Gambero Rosso in Livorno has made the list again. Combal.Zero in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Piedmont presents dishes that will surprise you in every way. Dal Pescatore in Mantua has one of Italy's most celebrated women chefs. La Calandre in Rubino is traditional and hearty and has a pastry shop and food shop that you can order from on-line! These restaurants are worth leaving the beaten track for-and not easy to get into. Make sure you call ahead.

Fra Angelico at the Capitoline Museum

Almost 550 years ago, the great painter Fra Angelico died and left a prolific body of paintings to the Renaissance world. These paintings have since been scattered to the four winds but the Capitoline Museum in Rome has gathered many of them together again for a special exhibition entitled Beato Angelico (The Blessed Angelico). On display will be triptychs, miniatures and even workshop pieces never before seen by the public. The exhibit runs through July 5th, so don't miss your chance to experience this early Renaissance artist's work.

Cycling in Tuscany and Umbria

National Geographic Traveler's list of 50 Tours of a Lifetime includes a biking tour of the Italian countryside. The Tuscany and Umbria Insider tour will take you to Cortona, Todi, Assisi and Siena -cycling all the while. And you'll have cooking lessons, chocolate-making demonstrations, wine-tastings and picnics along the way. Backroads hosts the trip and offers 100 hiking, backpacking and cycling trips throughout Italy, many of them family-friendly.

Da Georgio on Capri

Right in the center of Capri town, just steps from the Funicular, is Da Georgio. A Caprese original, Da Giorgio has been serving fresh seafood and local treats since 1948. The view of the Bay of Naples is beyond comparison and the tomato, mozzarella and arugula pizza is to die for. Buon Gusto! Via Roma 34.

Trattoria Garga in Florence

In a 14th century palazzo in the heart of Florence is Trattoria Garga. Colorful rooms, operatic atmosphere and a menu filled with fresh ingredients from Tuscany will inspire you to learn more about Florentine cooking-and you can spend a day at their cooking school (or enroll in an extended cooking tour of the region). It's a favorite of Gucci's Frida Giannini! Via del Moro 48.

Giada de Laurentiis "Remembering Rome"

Giada invites some of her family members to help her cook some of her favorite recipes from growing up in Rome. Giada and her aunt debate the finer points of pancetta and wine sauce in Bucatini all'Amatriciana while enjoying Fritto Misto with a lemon mayonnaise as they cook. The classic Roman dishes turn out superbly and the cooks have a great time. See more episodes from her new show on Saturdays at 1 pm and Mondays at 4:30 on the Food Network.

Verona Opera Festival and the House of Juliet

June 19th marks the beginning of the famous Verona Opera Festival. For 87 years, the city of Verona has been hosting some of the world's most famous operas in an ancient Roman arena. On the calendar this year are Carmen, Aida, Tosca and a special tribute to the famous tenor, Placido Domingo. Verona, the birthplace of the poet Catullus and the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, is the perfect venue for these spectacular shows. You may be so inspired that you'll want to run off and get married in the House of Juliet, which will soon be open for public marriages!

Sicily's City of Pottery

Italian pottery is famous for its unique designs and lively color combinations. Nowhere in Italy is the production of pottery more integral to the life of a community than in Caltagirone, Sicily. The hilltop town, not too far from Siracusa, is almost entirely devoted to ceramics. In fact, the streets are paved with pottery! Well, almost. The monumental staircase (142 steps) leading from the main piazza to the cathedral is covered with handmade ceramic tiles in every color and pattern imaginable. And there are dozens of pottery shops as you make your way to the top. It is truly one of the most charming sights of Sicily-and you can shop until you drop!

Palladio and the Veneto

The 500th birthday of the 16th century architect Andrea Palladio recently took place and the city of Vicenza, his primary residence, celebrated with an exhibition of his architectural masterpieces. The exhibition has since closed, but the architect's buildings are still in Italy and should be visited. Palladio, who can truly be considered the first neo-classical architect, designed and constructed villas and palazzos all over the Veneto for Italian noblemen. Scores of them still stand today and are open to the public. See the Centro Internazionale di Studi Architettura (CISA) Andrea Palladio for a complete list of the sites, their locations, and how to visit them.

Will Abruzzo Recover Under Berlusconi?

There is no doubt that the recent earthquake in Abruzzo was a disaster. But Silvio Berlusconi's response was swift and efficient, prompting hopes that Abruzzo's recovery will be possible. But past earthquakes in Italy have proven the country's government to be ineffective in keeping its promises and making sure that relief funds get to into the right hands. One of the reasons for this may be that Italy's government usually changes before anything serious can get done. Berlusconi's government is supposed to be in power for the next four years-hopefully that will be enough time to see some real results-and rebuilding in Abruzzo. Read more about it in the Economist.

Estate Romana 2009

Hard to believe it, but summer is almost here. And summer in Rome means the festival of Estate Romana-music, performances, exhibitions and special events all over the city from the beginning of June through the end of August and even into September. Already on the calendar are Lenny Kravitz (June 5), The Killers (July 14), and opera performances in the Baths of Caracalla (Carmen
and Tosca!). The official calendar has not yet been published, but check out some of the preliminary engagements at romeguide.it (you can purchase tickets there too). Stay tuned for the official Estate Romana 2009 calendar and all the exciting details!