Ian Zurzolo
Full bloom
Rome, LazioRome is famous for its monuments and links to antiquity, however there are natural marvels as well. A visit to the city’s rose garden, the Roseto Comunale di Roma, is a chance to relax and reflect after walking through the nearby Circus Maximus. The garden’s location on the Aventine hill originally was a 17th century… (more)
An Untapped Pleasure
Rome, ItalyRome is meant for the adventurous at heart, the urban explorers of the world. The city contains many hidden pleasures and layers of history, from the littlest vicolo to the grandest palazzo. Amidst the ancient ruins and enchanting neighborhoods are a plethora of fountains encompassing any and all styles imaginable that often get overlooked. Not… (more)
The Invisible Visitors
Rome, LazioEvery summer tourists descend upon Rome without fail, but perhaps the true sign of summer is the arrival of another visitor. Since antiquity le cicale (the cicada insects) have provided the summer soundtrack for the city with their trademark mating calls. They follow you, hopping from one juniper tree to the next, and as they… (more)
The Tempietto of San Pietro in Montorio
Rome, LazioAlthough it is considered to be one of the most aesthetically sound Renaissance buildings around, the Tempietto di San Pietro in Montorio (pronounced tem-PYET-toe, little temple) is hidden from view. Designed by Donato Bramante (the artist commissioned to redesign St. Peter’s Basilica), the tiny domed structure is tucked away within the walls of the church’s… (more)
Cat Capital of the World
Rome, LazioThe number of ruins dating back to antiquity amazes most visitors to Rome, but many others also comment on the unusual amount of wild cats prowling those same historical sites. One explanation could be Italy’s progressive laws concerning wild animals that forbid the use of euthanasia. This spawned many cat sanctuaries (most notably the one… (more)
Pasquino the Protester
Rome, LazioFor better or worse, Italians have a reputation for protesting the powers that be. Romans in particular are known for their sharp tongues, and not even the Prime Minister nor the Pope remain exempt from critique. The symbol of citizen dissent since the 1500s is a limbless and deformed statue affectionately named Pasquino. Pasquinate in… (more)
Sagrantino di Montefalco
Montefalco, UmbriaThe foothills of Umbria nurture many vineyards that rival those of their Tuscan neighbors to the north. Montefalco, nestled between Spoleto and Perugia, is finally getting its due for producing brilliant reds made from the Sagrantino vine. Sagrantino (not to be confused with Sangiovese, which can also be found nearby), earned its DOCG (Denominazione di… (more)
Scopa!
Scopa (meaning “to sweep” or “broom”) is a 400-year-old Italian card game, played in most regions of the country using the Piacentine, Napolitane, or Triestine pack of cards. There are other variations such as Scopone, as well as other types of cards, and each region will claim that their way is best in typical Italian… (more)
Stepping Up from Trastevere to Monteverde
Rome, LazioThe Trastevere neighborhood in central Rome is famous for its cobblestone vicoli (alleyways), medieval charm and bustling nightlife. Monteverde instead (literally green hill), while not as well known to tourists and rarely frequented by many Romans, is considered one of the most enviable neighborhoods in the city. Perched atop the Gianicolo hill (the highest in… (more)
Carnevale – Mardi Gras alla Italiana
Rome, ItalyAlthough the most famous Italian Carnevale festivals are held in Venezia and Viareggio, debauchery and merrymaking can be seen and enjoyed throughout the Peninsula. Most towns and cities have events planned for revelers of all ages. While the Roman party is not quite what it used to be, there is still a week-long series of… (more)
Peeling off the Layers
Rome, LazioLa Cisterna was a hotspot for celebrities during Rome’s glamour days of the 1950s. Even today, celebrities can occasionally be seen dining at preferred Table # 9 on the outside patio. However, this Trastevere institution is a treat even for non-VIPs because of the after-dinner delight of visiting the quirky basement. There is an odd… (more)
Griffins of Genoa
Genoa, LiguriaThe griffin is a legendary creature usually depicted with the body of a lion combined with the head and wings of an eagle. It is a fierce creature that symbolizes divine power, military courage and intelligence. For these reasons, the Genovese adopted the Griffin as their city’s guardian. During the expansion of the Republic of… (more)
Cimitero Staglieno: Cemetery or Museum?
Genoa, LiguriaImmersed in forested hills and composed of stylistically uniform and seemingly endless colonnades, lies the monumental cemetery of Staglieno in Genoa. The enchanting natural setting reminds one more of a villa with blossoming gardens or a museum rather than a 19th century cemetery. The sprawling burial ground covers 330,000 square meters, with 117,600 tombs and… (more)
VIP Vatican City
Vatican CityAmong other things, the pope is a celebrity like any other, with paparazzi and the press hounding his every move. Whenever his duties as religious leader and international icon become too stressful, he has the chance to take solace in the sanctuary offered by the private gardens inside the Vatican. These gardens have served the… (more)
Bolognese Street Artists
Bologna, Emilia RomagnaBesides the delicious ragú (Bolognese sauce) and mortadella, Bologna is known for its lively atmosphere full of music, students and markets. Nowhere in the city showcases these qualities better than the main public meeting place, Piazza Maggiore. On any given day you can find musicians, circus-folk, singing market vendors and a painter or two. One… (more)
Palazzo del Freddo
Rome, LazioEvery Roman has a favorite gelateria, but Palazzo del Freddo (literally, Palace of Cold) is one joint that everybody can agree on when it comes to eating prime gelato. Giovanni Fassi’s Palazzo del Freddo is the oldest and largest ice-cream vendor in Italy. Giovanni’s father, Giacomo, started the family business way back in 1880. After… (more)
Grotto of Tiberius
Sperlonga, LazioIn 1957, an Italian engineer and amateur archaeologist named Erno Bellante was working on a road in the resort town of Sperlonga by the Tyrrhenian Sea, when he began digging inside the cavernous Grotto of Tiberius in his spare time and discovered more than he bargained for… a treasure trove of mangled marble statues crafted… (more)
Bodies of Pompeii
Pompeii, CampaniaLike the lost city of Atlantis, the unfortunate city of Pompeii has achieved legendary status due to its unique downfall. It was destroyed and buried during an devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius over two long days in 79 AD. Among the most iconic images from the aftermath of the eruption are the cast bodies of… (more)
The Hidden Beaches of Sperlonga
Sperlonga, LazioThe perfect weekend getaway from Rome is an hour and half train ride south to the coastal town of Sperlonga, along the Tyrrhenian Sea. After taking the train and getting off at Fondi-Sperlonga, you will need to take a short bus ride from the just outside the station to Sperlonga itself. The seaside town gets… (more)
Rafting Beneath Waterfalls
Marmore Falls, UmbriaLovers of central Italy usually flock to Assisi (St. Francis), Orvieto (great white wine) or Perugia (chocolate, among other treasures). While all these locations are well deserving of a visit, the real secret of Umbria is the Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Waterfall). The falls are stunning and the surrounding national park offers a chance to… (more)
Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi
Genoa, LiguriaGenoa may be one-third of Italy’s “industrial triangle”, however its location on the Italian Riviera is not wasted.The Nervi quartiere (neighborhood) is the jewel of Genoa and its stunning sea-side promenade takes advantage of the sparkling Ligurian coast. The Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi, (promenade) named after the wife of the great Risorgimento general, snakes along the… (more)
The English Theatre of Rome
Rome, LazioSince 1996, The English Theatre of Rome has been an important hub for Italian and non-Italian directors, playwrights, and actors in the Rome art scene. At least one play per season is performed in both Italian and English (and sometimes a mixture of the two) to reflect the multicultural heritage of the theatre. Gaby Ford,… (more)
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