"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?  It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”   -  W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet

Buon San Valentino, Amici! ❤️

Today is the perfect day for a love story and Italy has long been the setting for unforgettable stories - - some written in books, others unfolding in real life. It is a country where chance meetings become lifelong memories, where a simple walk through a medieval street can change your perspective, and where beauty has a way of bringing people together. We have seen it happen time and again; not only in literature, but for us, and in the journeys of the travelers we welcome.

It is no surprise that one of the world’s most enduring love stories is set in the enchanting Italian city of Verona. .

La Befana Vien di notte; (The Befana comes at night)

Con le scarpe tutte rotte; (With her shoes all torn)

Con le toppe alla sottana; (With patches on her skirt)

Viva, viva La Befana! (Long live The Befana!)

Ciao Amici!

Tonight in Italy, we are awaiting a visit from La Befana!

The other day, we took a drive to Sapri on the winding SS18. On one side the road abuts the mountain, and on the other side is the sea - - as far as the eye can see.

Five Things We Love About Italy This Valentine's Day ❤️

Ah, Italy! The land of romance, pasta, and breathtaking beauty. Whether you're strolling through Medieval villages, sipping a spritz in a sun-drenched piazza, or marveling at centuries-old works of art, Italy’s allure has a way of making us fall head over heels in love.

This Valentine's Day, we are celebrating five things we absolutely adore about Italy! ❤️

Today is Friday, the 17^th  and for those who are superstitious in Italy, it is a day of bad luck. It is the equivalent of the American Friday the 13^th.  This morning Isidoro was calling to me urgently, “Amore, venerid diciasettte!” His intensity was because we are both, admittedly, very superstitious. I hold my breath when passing cemeteries. Isidoro touches metal when he sees a Hearse. We both avoid walking under open ladders and crossing a black cat’s path (even if it means driving around the block or pulling to the side of the road to wait for another car to pass first). Today’s ominous date led us to discuss some of the lesser-known Italian superstitions, which might be familiar to some Italian Americans.