Published on Friday, June 1, 2012 by Kathy McCabe The Italian region of Umbria lies smack dab in the middle of the country and is the only region in Italy without either a coastal or a foreign border. It is known for its green hills, medieval churches and cuisine that is tied to the land, especially its black and white truffles. The capital Perugia is famous in part as the home of Perugina chocolate. If you are lu...

Published on Friday, May 25, 2012 by Kathy McCabe After nine years, The Tuscan Sun Festival is moving from Cortona to Florence where it will hold its 10th edition, June 11 to 18, 2012. The festival brings together music, art and film, and this year in new venues including Teatro della Pergola, Palazzo Strozzi and Nuovo Teatro dell' Opera. The Tuscan Sun Festival has been described by The Independent (U.K.) as one o...

Published on Monday, July 25, 2011 by Kathy McCabe You practically can't get more different experiences than a small city famous for its almond candies and a town famous for its snakes. Where to find these experiences? In the region of Abruzzo... Ever wonder where those colorful sugar-covered almonds called confetti come from? Sulmona is their birthplace and you can’t walk the city’s main street, Corso Ovidio, ...

Published on Sunday, June 5, 2011 by Kathy McCabe Italy and opera are so intertwined, one would almost think that the form was born in Italy. If you're a music buff and traveling to Italy, especially during the summer, don't miss the chance to see a live performance in the country that has given so much to the art form. Opera began in Italy around 1600 and the Italian language came to be so perfect for singing that m...