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How to choose pesto.
How to Choose Pesto: What I Actually Look For After 12 Years in Italy. The first time I made pesto in my own kitchen in Ancona, I didn’t have a food processor. I had a mortar, borrowed from my landlady, and a bunch of basil from the Wednesday market. And no idea I was about to ruin my wrist for the next two hours. I remember standing there, pounding basil leaves against pine nuts and garlic, wondering why every Italian recipe insisted on doing this the hard way. Then I tasted it. Bright, sharp, a little peppery from the basil oils that only come out when you crush the leaves…
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What to buy in Italy?
What to Buy in Italy: 13 Gifts, Supermarket Finds and Pharmacy Must-Haves. Ciao! There is always one last space in the suitcase. Maybe you have already bought pasta for your mother, a little something for a friend, and a magnet you did not need but could not leave behind. Now you want to find the things that are genuinely worth bringing home. I moved to Italy in 2013, and this is what I have learned: the best Italian gifts are often ordinary things Italians buy every day. A good coffee. A packet of biscuits from the supermarket. A soap from an erboristeria. A toothpaste that makes brushing your teeth feel unexpectedly…
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Monte San Vito (Marche, Italy) Beer Festival.
The Beer Festival That Started With One German Guy Walking Into a Bar. In 2002, a German guy walked into a bar in Monte San Vito… Nobody remembers exactly what he ordered or why he ended up in a small hilltop town in the Marche instead of anywhere else in Italy. What people do remember is that he started talking about beer, real beer, the kind they didn’t really serve in a normal Italian bar back then. Someone behind the counter got an idea. A few months later, that idea had a name, a date, and a handful of tables set up outside. Twenty-four years later, that same idea is…
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Summer Panettone in Italy.
Summer Panettone in Italy: Yes, It’s a Thing (And I Found It at the Bar). I ordered my espresso, sat down, looked left… A panettone. At the bar. In June. Not a forgotten box from Christmas tucked behind the counter. A proper panettone estivo, its packaging all summery blues and yellows, right there next to the cornetti. It was a Galup, that Piedmontese brand born in 1922, the one Italians trust the way they trust their nonna’s recipe. I genuinely did a double-take. Ma stai scherzando? After 12 years living in Italy, you’d think nothing surprises me anymore. And yet. Summer panettone is one of those things that reveals how deep Italian food culture…
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The Most Famous Donkey Race in Italy.
The Most Famous Donkey Race in Italy: The Donkey Palio in Alba. Ciao! Come state? Let me tell you something. The first time I heard “donkey race” and “Italy” in the same sentence, I laughed. Then I looked it up. Then I laughed again, but differently. The kind of laugh that says: “…of course, Italy has this, and of course it’s perfect”. Allora — the Palio degli Asini in Alba, Piedmont, is the most famous donkey race in Italy. And it’s not a quirky little local thing you stumble upon by accident. It draws thousands of visitors every year, it has roots going back to the 14th century, and it happens…
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Easter in Italy.
Easter in Italy: Traditions, Colomba & Pasquetta Picnic Ideas. Whether you’re planning to visit Italy during Easter or want to recreate that authentic Italian vibe at home, this guide will walk you through everything: traditions, iconic foods like Colomba cake, and the best ideas for a perfect Pasquetta picnic. Easter in Italy is not just a holiday, it’s a full sensory experience made of tradition, seasonal ingredients, and long meals that turn into lasting memories. As spring begins to bloom, Italians gather around the table to celebrate with dishes that reflect both heritage and simplicity. In Italy, Easter (Pasqua) blends deep rooted religious customs with a more universal ritual: sharing food. The…
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Italian Easter Cheese Bread Recipe.
Pizza al Formaggio: Italian Easter Cheese Bread Recipe. In the Marche region, tradition dictates that Easter morning begins with a special breakfast, quite different from the usual daily meal: a hearty, savory meal in which cheese pizza takes center stage. It is served with local cured meats, hard-boiled eggs, and wine, creating a perfect balance of flavors. If there’s one thing you should know about Easter in Italy, it’s this: food is never just food. It’s memory, family, ritual, and a whole lot of flavor. One of the most iconic (yet underrated) Easter recipes comes from the Marche region: pizza al formaggio, also known as Italian Easter cheese bread. Tall, fluffy,…
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“Amor” from Pontremoli.
Amor di Pontremoli: The Traditional Sweet Symbol of Lunigiana. In the heart of Lunigiana, amidst mountains, ancient villages, and historic roads like the Via Francigena, lies a town rich in history and gastronomic traditions: Pontremoli. Among its typical products is a small, simple, and much-loved one: Amor. This dessert, found almost exclusively in this area between Tuscany and Emilia, is made of two thin wafers enclosing a soft, delicate cream. It’s a single-serving dessert, perfect for enjoying with a coffee, perhaps while sitting in a square in the historic center. Despite its simplicity, Amor has become one of Pontremoli’s gastronomic symbols. Its history is interesting, and its recipe, handed down…
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Italian Aperitif.
What Is the Italian Aperitif? In Italy, the aperitivo is a serious thing, even if nobody takes it too seriously. It’s the moment of the day when people stop, relax, and enjoy a drink together. It’s not just about alcohol: it’s about being with others, talking, and taking a break. And among all Italian aperitivo drinks, the Spritz is without a doubt the most famous one. The word “aperitivo” comes from the Latin word aperire, which means “to open”. The idea was simple: to open the stomach before eating. Many years ago, people already drank light wines and herbal liquors to stimulate the appetite. One of the most important names in…
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Carnival in Italy 2026.
Carnival in Italy: Traditions, Masks & Sweet Carnival Recipes. Join the Carnival in Italy 2026, the wildest party before Lent, running from February 12 to 17 with parades, masks, and fun traditions all over Italy. Check out Venice’s fancy masked balls, Viareggio’s giant floats, and Ivrea’s orange fights—easy and exciting ways to dive into real Italian Carnival vibes! The carnival is a very popular festival in Italy. It dates back to ancient times, to certain Greek and Roman festivals that arose from the people’s need to have fun and joke around. Currently, Carnival lasts several days and ends on Shrove Tuesday. The festival is an opportunity for adults and children to…
