Nowadays, we have the luxury of using computers, phones, and tablets to take notes wherever we go, with the internet accessible almost everywhere. However, in the era before the twentieth century, such conveniences were nonexistent, but there were removable cuffs. The phrase “off the cuff” is believed to have originated from the old practice of […]
From their beginnings, monasteries served as places of prayer, meditation, and industrious activity, and the apothecary monks were experts in the cultivation, preservation, and drying of herbs. In addition to gathering individuals dedicated to asceticism and divine contemplation, these monastic havens often provided temporary refuge to pilgrims and passing travelers. As a result, they housed […]
Naples is one of the most famous cities in the world for its beauty, geographical location, intrinsic life, folklore, and hospitality of the people. The warmth of the sun and the people is reflected everywhere. It has been a land of conquest by numerous foreign dominations, and the one that left its deep mark was […]
I will write here about the historical place of Lucrezia Borgia without going into the prejudice and gossip that surrounded her in her lifetime and beyond. Lucrezia was the daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, from a family that left a significant mark on the period between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Rodrigo Borgia, as […]
(Caffe alla Valdostana) I am from the Aosta Valley, and it seems right to talk to you about this particularity that is part of that region’s popular culture and tradition. In Europe, coffee spread between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and it is during this period that Valdostan-style coffee made its appearance. What makes this […]
Modena’s renowned traditional balsamic vinegar is a treasured condiment with an intriguing past and ancient origins. The meticulous craftsmanship of its creation evolved in the Emilia-Romagna region, in particular the picturesque provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and have been passed down through countless generations. While historical documents do not offer precise details about the […]
The Apuan Alps are ancient Italian mountains located between the Versilia coast of Tuscany and Emilia. They represent the largest and oldest marble basin in the world. The area is also known as “White Gold” due to the quality, beauty, and uniqueness of its white marble. Carrara marble, already used in Roman times, gained its […]
We are in Alessandria. It’s the year 1846. Giuseppe Borsalino is twelve years old and has been working for a few years. He is small, but he has big ambitions. He wants to make hats, but he needs to obtain a French certificate (Italy was under French domination) that allows him to sell and open […]
Shoes… Almost everyone loves shoes…they are an essential accessory, especially in cold areas. They are a symbol of elegance and sensuality. And now, a bit of the history of Italian shoes. The craftsmanship of Italian shoes is rich and fascinating. It is believed that Roman sandals were the first footwear specifically designed to fit the […]
Nutella is part of Italian culture like Fiat 500, the markets in each city, the fashion and the beauty. On April 20, 1964, the first jar of Nutella came out from the Ferrero factory in Alba-Piedmont city. Its origins, however, date back to the 1940s and before. Pietro Ferrero was a pastry chef in Turin. […]