Bytes of Italytag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-5655612009-12-05T15:28:50-06:00A blog of random bits and pieces of Italian culture, products, food, wine and travel from across Italy and around the world.TypePadGomorrahtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341d5a3253ef0128761be71b970c2009-12-05T15:28:50-06:002009-12-05T16:51:53-06:00When living in Italy in the nineties my primary exposure to Naples came in my infrequent visits to one of the many European factories of the company for which I worked. My favorite and most memorable part of these trips was when our Naples plant manager would send me packing back north to Varese with a Styrofoam cooler filled with fresh and delicious mozzarella di bufala. The only exposure I had to its darker side was when a co-worker had her purse stolen out of her car when she was stopped at a traffic light, with the assailant breaking the passenger window, grabbing the purse off the passenger seat and driving off on a Vespa.D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2009/12/gomorrah.htmlBalls and Bloodtag:typepad.com,2003:post-536585202008-08-02T07:10:05-05:002008-08-02T07:10:05-05:00Sports Illustrated recently did a feature on calcio fiorentino, a version of soccer first played in Florence in the 16th century and revived in 1930. Saying it is soccer is a bit of stretch as it is more like a...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/08/balls-and-blood.htmlThe Monster of Florencetag:typepad.com,2003:post-501135602008-05-18T21:36:00-05:002008-05-18T21:36:00-05:00I just learned that Douglas Preston, an author who has written or co-written many thrillers I have quite enjoyed, has penned a new and very personal non-fiction book based on his experiences outside Florence. This new book which will come...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/05/the-monster-of.htmlLucullian Delightstag:typepad.com,2003:post-496971222008-05-11T10:19:14-05:002008-05-11T10:19:14-05:00If you are a foodie of any level and haven't yet visited the Lucullian Delights blog, you are missing out on something really special. Ilva, a Swedish emigrant now living in Italy with her husband, three children and a dog,...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/05/lucullian-delig.htmlDiscovering Pietrasantatag:typepad.com,2003:post-493640922008-05-03T13:55:10-05:002008-05-03T13:55:10-05:00T&L has provided a treasure trove of Italian features in their May 2008 issue, including this focus on the Tuscan coastal village of Pietrasanta by Valerie Waterhouse. A quiet town in Lucca province, Pietrasanta has served as a sanctuary for...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/05/discovering-pie.htmlUnder the Tuscan Suntag:typepad.com,2003:post-493638282008-05-03T13:41:37-05:002008-05-03T13:41:37-05:00Another feature in T&L's May issue worth checking out is their feature on Tuscany. It provides some good ideas for hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and wine. The review starts with an overview of Tuscany's cities and provinces, which is provided below:...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/05/under-the-tusca.htmlThe Art of Speedtag:typepad.com,2003:post-493629002008-05-03T12:55:18-05:002008-05-03T12:55:18-05:00If you like cars and Italy, you can't pick a better place to visit than the countryside around Modena, the former medieval ducal capital in the Emilia-Romagna region . This area, home to Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, is featured in...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/05/the-art-of-spee.htmlA Sandwich in Rometag:typepad.com,2003:post-487247122008-04-20T10:24:26-05:002008-04-20T10:24:26-05:00If you're looking for a casual place to grab a bite in Rome, give Il Forno Roscioli a try. In this traditional family bakery located at 34 Via dei Chiavari, they serve up torta di mele, rustic pane di Lariano...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/04/a-sandwich-in-r.htmlAppia Anticatag:typepad.com,2003:post-450603722008-02-03T08:04:45-06:002008-02-03T08:04:45-06:00An article in today's New York Times titled Along a Road Of Antiquity highlights the Appia Antica, a serene miles-long stretch of ancient landmarks and quaint restaurants. SOUTH of the tourist-crushed Trevi Fountain, past the scooter-clogged streets of Centro Storico...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/02/appia-antica.htmlPalazzo Antinoritag:typepad.com,2003:post-450416802008-02-02T15:10:22-06:002008-02-02T15:10:22-06:00In their February 2008 issue, T&L features the Palazzo Antinori, a Renaissance palace located in Florence which has served as the headquarters for the Marchesi Antinori winery since the 16th century. Inside the palazzo are two restaurants, the upscale Cantinetta...D Chttp://www.bytesofitaly.com/2008/02/palazzo-antinor.html