The ItalyMammaMia Blog shares with you all that I love about Italy: news (with lots of good news stories too), our latest articles (featuring beautiful Italian places, recipes and travel advice). Then we've also things like Italian songs, great videos and essential information for planning your next trip to Italy.
Join me, Maria, and my family in discovering Italy together...
The Rialto Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in Venice and perhaps the world. Here's everything you need to know about the bridge and plenty more on Venice too..
In many ways it is in Bari that the heart and soul of Puglia is to be found. Bari is real, Bari is vibrant and Bari is enchanting. Watch out for flying wooden spoons though!
Continue reading "Things to Do in Bari & Reasons to Love Bari"
Wondering what to see in Sicily? We've a lot of fabulous suggestions that you will absolutely LOVE!
What is it about the south of Italy that makes it so special. This story will provide the answer....
Give the gift of love straight from Italy - the land of amore. Have you experienced a summer or Christmas in Italy? We've a way to bring that joy and happiness home with you...
People often ask me which are the most beautiful places in Italy? My answer to them is this...
Did you know that perhaps millions of Europeans, including Italians, were captured by slavers from North Africa?
Continue reading "Millions of European Slaves taken to Africa"
There are some things Italians absolutely DO NOT do. Some of those things things that YOU do daily Italians see as life threatening.
Continue reading "Italian DO NOT do any of these things... EVER!"
I had to laugh at the latest New Zealand travel campaign asking tourists NOT TO TRAVEL UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL. Rather asking them to focus on the experience, on enjoying the moment. Not on posing.
That applies to Italy too.
It is why we resist all pressure to follow those cliched Instagrammer staples like holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, jumping on a beach, wearing straw hats in a Tuscan field of sunflowers.
We prefer to bring you Italy itself... definitely far more beautiful than us ;-).
We'd rather help you plan YOUR visit to Italy while bringing you photos of beautiful Italy.
Photos can only go so far so we always try to capture in words a little of the things you can't see: the aromas, sounds, emotions that come with being in Italy.
Hope that is okay for you... or should I head off to Pisa?
Dolomites Holidays features some of the most beautiful parts of the Dolomites. From great places to stay to special places to visit...
Continue reading "Dolomites Holidays - The Guide to this Region of Italy"
Looking to escape the tourist madness of cities like Venice and Rome? Longing to spend time in a quieter Italy? We have EXACTLY what you need!
Continue reading "Italy Is NOT all Chaos, Tourists and Noise. There IS another Italy."
The best of Venice - 6 experiences you simply must have if you are visiting Venice. Here is the list...
Great advice on how to avoid the crowds if you are visiting Venice in July and some wonderful ideas on things to do.
Discover a world of color. A place where every cottage is a different hue and where each and every color mixes and dances in the reflection off the canals. This is Burano!
South of Rome we go, taking you on a journey discovering the very best Southern Italian destinations. You may know of some of them but others I am sure you have never heard of.
There's so much to see in Venice Italy that you can become overwhelmed. Before you despair, here is the list of the 6 sights you absolutely must see and everything you need to know about them.
Continue reading "Venice Italy - The 6 Things you HAVE to See"
Venice is not only the Bridge of Sighs and St Marks Square. There is a whole lot more to this great city. Join me, Maria, exploring the Venetian wonders few ever discover.
Continue reading "Venice Tourism - Getting Away From the Crowds"
Looking for Rome Vacation Rentals? I have personally selected the best apartments to rent in Rome, you can be sure your Roman Dolce Vita will begin the moment you walk through the door.
One of the best walking tours in Rome is a visit to the main outdoor market called Campo dei Fiori - it is teeming with friendly people, tasty food, vibrant colors, animated conversations
Continue reading "Walking Tours in Rome - Discover the Secrets of this Ancient City"
The Weather in Rome Italy. Our guide is packed full of information on when is the best time to visit Rome Italy and much much more too.
There is a hotel in Rome that is so very special, where breakfast is served under the orange trees with the fragrance of orange blossom infusing the air.
What could be better than a day shopping in Rome? Not much I promise! Before you start though you've got to read our guide filled with all the must-see shops and markets.
THE biggest mistake tourists to Italy make is ... well, read the article for the answer and discover how you can avoid making the same mistake.
Continue reading "THE Biggest Mistake Tourists to Italy Make"
We are often asked where the earthquake risk in Italy is at its most dangerous. We've the answer for you: not only the most at risk but the least at risk regions too.
Continue reading "Earthquake Risk in Italy: These Are the Most Dangerous Areas"
Why in Piazza?
Because the piazza represents so much that is important to Italians: the coming together of communities, the focal point of towns, a sense of belonging. Of course, logistically it makes sense too, being central and easy to reach for all Italians.
During the pandemic the piazza has been ripped away from Italians. No longer could the elderly congregate during the day, no longer could people meet, chat, share gossip. The sound of children was missing. The piazze of Italy had fallen silent.
Now, with these pavilions, and with the vaccine, Italians can finally return to the piazza, first to get vaccinated and then, slowly, life should begin returning to normal. The piazze will be filled with Italian passion again, the sound of children, laughter.
I cannot wait for the day.
For so long we have suffered but now the first golden rays of a new dawn have arrived.
The Design
Stefano Boeri is one of Italy's, and indeed the world's, premier architects. He has worked for free to design these pavilions.
Is safe to travel to Italy? Read on to discover the answer, it is an answer that I think might well surprise you.
Wondering what to do in Amalfi & on the Amalfi Coast? We've the very best tours, towns, itineraries, moments and magic of the Amalfi Coast all in one place
This is incredible! Who would ever have believed that Venice would ever look like this. Gone are the tourists, gone is the noise, the chaos. The stores are closed and the only sounds now are the sounds of nature.
Continue reading "Now Venice Goes Silent: this had me in tears"
It's a dull old day in a station and then at 1 minute 30 seconds it all changes. The scene before you causes you to shake, sometimes, that first time, you will cry.
Continue reading "Videos of Venice - That First Moment You Meet Venice"
It took me years to get my aunt Rosalinda to share her authentic Sicilian cannoli recipe but... at last... I can let you in on the secret.
Continue reading "The Secret Cannoli Recipe of Zia Rosalinda "
These are the 12 most beautiful churches in Italy, well churches and cathedrals really. I bet there are a few on this list that you've never heard of before.
The National Museum in Rome recently received a strange package from the USA. Opening it they were shocked to find a piece of ancient marble inscribed "to Sam, love Jess, Rome".
What was this?
A letter explained it. In 2017 a young woman visited Pompeii and stole a souvenir. Guilt ate away at her and in the letter she apologizes for "being an American asshole". She is very sorry and wishes to make amends by returning the marble.
This follows on from a Canadian tourist last year who sent back Marble from Pompeii saying that her family had been cursed with misfortune ever since she stole it back in 2005.
Will the curse of Pompeii stop others from pillaging one of Italy's greatest historical wonders? Will more marble arrive as others learn their stolen artifact is cursed?
The village where time has stood still. Not even a car is to be found in this medieval hilltop gem called Civita di Bagnoregio
I always said that I did not want the old Venice back. You'll see my reasons in the video.
Now the city authorities have done something, something that they believe will help...
They will charge an entrance fee for entrance into Venice as from January 2022. The fee will vary according to season and could reach as much as 10 Euros a day. It will only apply to day-trippers and not to those staying overnight.
I am not sure it is the right step or not. If it is, then it is just a start, there is lots more to do.
The issue of the cruise ships need to be addressed. I hear rumours that they will be back next summer. That would be a mistake.
What is the Dolce Far Niente and why every tourist to Italy should understand it, live it.
With a new record of over 40,000 cases, hospitals across Italy are struggling. This time the south has been badly hit too. Naples, Sicily, Calabria... nowhere has been spared. In Naples the hospitals are so full people are being given oxygen in their cars parked outside.
Many regions have harsh restrictions. Others, such as the Veneto region, hardly have any at all... despite Veneto having over 3000 cases a day.
In Piedmont, they have closed all shops except essential stores... and hairdressers?
First time around Italy did so well, they had a coordinated national response.
This time it seems chaotic. Italy now has more daily cases than any other country in Europe. Over 500 a day are dying.
There does not seem to be a coordinated answer. Each region seems to be doing its own thing.
Questions are being asked as to why some areas (Sardinia mainly) were allowed to operate jam-packed nightclubs and discoteche even while cases started to climb. These acted as super-spreader events - allowing the virus to travel with returning vacationers across Europe.
Some are saying corruption and political pressure by well connected businesses allowed them to operate despite the risk.
It makes me angry but, more than angry, it makes me sad.
May God bless Italy. May God bless the world.
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When the crowds of Venice start getting on your nerves and your mood turns grey that's when you need to color your life bright... with a little Burano.
For the full story click on "continue reading" below...
Continue reading "There's a Vaccine! 90% Effective. Europe Set To Order Over 100 MILLION doses!"
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The Rialto Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in Venice and perhaps the world. Here's everything you need to know about the bridge and plenty more on Venice too..
In many ways it is in Bari that the heart and soul of Puglia is to be found. Bari is real, Bari is vibrant and Bari is enchanting. Watch out for flying wooden spoons though!
Wondering what to see in Sicily? We've a lot of fabulous suggestions that you will absolutely LOVE!
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