Published on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 by Kathy McCabe An Australian chef has won the pizza margherita category in the World Pizza Championship, held in Parma, Italy. The annual event attracted hundreds of pizza makers from around the world. The international panel of judges deemed Johnny Di Francesco's traditional Neapolitan pizza (tomato, mozzarella, olive oil and basil) as the winner. DiFrancesco owns an Italian r...

Published on Sunday, April 6, 2014 by Steve Perillo Tours is all about family; we've been family run for nearly 70 years. Another thing we're known for: our television commercials. A tradition that I've proudly carried on from my father, Mr. Italy, Mario Perillo. A very important part of the family is Harry Perillo. He's my golden retriever who comes into the office each day with me. Harry has taken on more ...

Published on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Did you hear the news? George Clooney, Italy's most-famous part-time resident has bought another home in Tuscany. Clooney is often spotted by the paparazzi as he comes and goes from his 30-room Villa Oleandra near Bellagio on Lake Como. Now he may have found a more private Italian hideaway - a villa in Tuscany. Clooney has reportedly bought an estate in the less-fa...

Published on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Italy is the land of luscious, colorful produce - giant, bright yellow lemons, eggplant that's the perfect shade of purple, peppers as shiny and red as they get. The flavorful bounty is usually lovingly and carefully displayed just so in outdoor markets and supermarkets.  All of the beautiful, deliciousness might make you tempted to...But Don't Touch!  Non T...

Published on Saturday, February 8, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Are you looking for the most magical time of the year to visit Venice? Well look no further than Carnevale season! This is the time (February 22 to March 4, 2014) of year when a wintry Venice comes alive with magic and mystery all in an effort to have maximum fun before  Lent starts. Here are six ways to enjoy Carnevale in Venice: 1. Do as the Venetians do and wea...

Published on Saturday, January 4, 2014 by Kathy McCabe While Americans and others around the world enjoy shopping sales at many points during the year, Italian retailers put their items "on sale" mostly during two times during the year - July and January. Items are generally discounted between 30 and 75% making these sales periods a time when Italians and vacationers alike shop till they drop. 17 of Italy's 20 regions ...

Published on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The most popular Christmas dessert in Italy is panettone, a tall cake made from flour, sugar, milk, eggs, fruit and raisins. You will see these for sale in every food shop in Italy throughout the holiday season. One type of panettone you won't find everywhere is a gold-and-diamond version commissioned by a Russian businessman. Pastry chef Dario Hartvig, owner of th...

Published on Sunday, November 24, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Want to get into the spirit of Christmas in Italy, right here at home? If you're in New York or San Diego this holiday season, you can enjoy Cristina Fontanelli's  Christmas in Italy, a program of Italy’s best-loved songs, arias, Neapolitan and Christmas classics. Award-winning singer Fontanelli is the PBS/WNET host for Andrea Bocelli “Live From Central Park” a...

Published on Friday, October 4, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The world's first pizza-making vending machine has debuted and can be found in three Italian airports according to Peter Greenberg. The Let's Pizza machine can make fresh pizza in three minutes with fresh ingredients. If you want to watch the machine knead fresh dough in front of you,  you can find the Let's Pizza machine in the Milan, Palermo and Trapani airpor...

Published on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 by Kathy McCabe That Pope Francis is just full of surprises! Apparently, he wants to be able to drive himself around Vatican City.  So his friend, the priest, gave him a used car - a 20-year-old Renault. According to BBC News, "The car - which has 300,000 km (190,000 miles) on the clock - was presented to the Pope by Father Renzo Zocca at the weekend. The pontiff later drove it...