tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56016173539964992592012-02-27T08:27:46.306-08:00Experience true Italy with me as I give you a real life glimpse of what it is like living in Italy. This is about all things Italian: renting or purchasing property, off the beaten path tours, raising a family in Italy,regional unbelievable food, recipes,bargain shopping in Italy,and much much more.Enjoy!Lucianoreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-55934575639429349232012-02-07T04:03:00.000-08:002012-02-07T04:03:34.310-08:002012-02-07T04:03:34.310-08:00

I have been in Italy for over thirteen years now and this is the worst snow storm I have ever encountered.  We had snow for five straight days and now even though it is no longer snowing, we are dealing with the aftermath and the roads. Temperatures are below zero and roads are icy and dangerous. Trees have fallen everywhere and our little town of Chiusi seems like a war zone. We are lucky, very

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-2012-snow-storm-tuscany-italy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-84906793592442363372012-01-11T04:22:00.000-08:002012-01-11T04:22:21.636-08:002012-01-11T04:22:21.636-08:00

Tuscany can be overwhelming. If you plan on staying in Tuscany and have only a few days of time to see as much as you can, I suggest you visit only a few places and really absorb yourself in those few places. Do not make the mistake of trying to see it all in one trip. If you plan to visit the area of Siena, try to visit the following places:  Abbazia of San Galgano & La Spada Nella Roccia

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2012/01/visiting-siena-san-galgano.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-28758561004944267712011-11-19T01:15:00.000-08:002011-11-19T01:15:21.131-08:002011-11-19T01:15:21.131-08:00

Although life in Italy may be difficult these days because of the economic situation, there are still some very basic factors that keep this sunny country sweet. In Italy..... 1. You can still get the best espresso coffee and croissant for total Euro 1.80 or $ 2.45. No Starbucks or Peets or Coffee Bean can compare to those offered by my neighborhood caffè bar and at that price!! 2. In my

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/11/basic-factors-that-keep-italy-sweet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-46511514125991507432011-11-14T03:28:00.000-08:002011-11-14T03:28:20.338-08:002011-11-14T03:28:20.338-08:00

I am often amazed on how resilient Italians are. While I am glued to the Internet, TV and to every new story on the current economic and political crises in Italy, the average Italian person relates to everything as business as usual. I have asked many people how they feel about what is going on, and their answer is always the same. They say that they are accustomed to changing leadership, to

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-italians-feel-about-economic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-91866631435853293862011-10-21T05:39:00.000-07:002011-10-21T05:39:45.033-07:002011-10-21T05:39:45.033-07:00

This is one of the perks of living in Tuscany. You not only get to try new olive oil almost immediately after olives are picked but you get a chance to see olive oil made...from Harvest to Hand. This morning I was extremely fortunate enough to visit my friend's olive mill in Cetona Siena. The Frantoio Fattoria del Biancheto is one of the only olive mills that uses the latest technology to

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/10/ahh-lolio-nuovo-new-olive-oil-harvest.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-9439633018140302962011-10-02T23:49:00.000-07:002011-10-02T23:49:16.444-07:002011-10-02T23:49:16.444-07:00

If you have limited time and can only go to Valdorcia, please take the time for a full day trip to see Bagno San Filippo, Bagno Vignoni, and Monte Amiata. Sorry, this time no pictures. I will make sure to get some next time. However you can (we did) go to Monte Amiata in the morning, climb by foot all the way to the top called "La Vetta" to the gigantic black iron cross and then make your way

Lucianoreply@blogger.com3http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/10/visiting-bagno-san-filippo-bagno.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-54733242075799372862011-07-09T20:05:00.000-07:002011-07-09T20:05:06.331-07:002011-07-09T20:05:06.331-07:00

Living Italy: Some of Many Differences Between Los Angeles & Tus...: "I try to go 'home' to the USA every Summer and every time I do I notice things that I never noticed while actually living in Los Angeles. Th..."

Lucianoreply@blogger.com4http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/07/living-italy-some-of-many-differences.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-10707261008538018612011-07-09T20:02:00.000-07:002011-07-09T20:02:51.275-07:002011-07-09T20:02:51.275-07:00

I try to go "home" to the USA every Summer and every time I do I notice things that I never noticed while actually living in Los Angeles. There really are so many differences in cultures (Italian & American). Here are some things that are so different and that I now notice: -people in LA are very private and it is really rare to see people at all in the neighborhood. Sometimes I think where are

Lucianoreply@blogger.com4http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/07/some-of-many-differences-between-los.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-37854086834441019672011-06-05T08:59:00.000-07:002011-06-05T08:59:57.569-07:002011-06-05T08:59:57.569-07:00

With so much talk about olive oil these days and the discovery that what is being sold in the stores as quality olive oil, is not really at all. In the past, I used olive oil as just another ingredient, a way of adding flavor to my meals. I had no idea the beneficial properties extra virgin olive oil can have.  Since the majority of us use olive oil daily, why then should we miss the opportunity

Lucianoreply@blogger.com2http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/06/are-you-reaping-benefits-of-your-extra.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-9234755162583610772011-05-25T00:38:00.000-07:002011-05-25T00:38:21.011-07:002011-05-25T00:38:21.011-07:00

I would definitely recommend Cesenatico Beach to anyone who wants to enjoy a very quaint little Italian town on the seaside. Cesenatico is in the region of Emilia Romagna and province of Forli' Cesena. Why Cesenatico? Because it has two very different parts to it. One is the beachside which is modern and very accomodating to visitors. They have gone to great lengths to make sure visitors have

Lucianoreply@blogger.com3http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/05/cesenatico-beach-where-italians-go.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-56038644697961900782011-05-23T03:18:00.000-07:002011-05-23T03:57:37.098-07:002011-05-23T03:57:37.098-07:00

Even after all these years of living in Italy, I still am awestruck when I think of the relationship Italians have with food. We spent the weekend at the beach in Cesenatico, a lovely place that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to spend some time at the beach in the Romagna area. Italians love to eat. It is their birthright to not only eat, but to eat well. I am always amazed how

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/05/italians-food-birth-right.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-62974971964651995932011-05-10T03:06:00.000-07:002011-05-10T03:06:03.256-07:002011-05-10T03:06:03.256-07:00

My neighbors make have their own olive groves and make their own olive oil. I realized quickly why some olive oils are so expensive. It takes days and days to hand pick each olive, making sure it never touches the ground. There are large nets used to catch the olives. The weather has to be just right and the olive has to be ready for picking. Not too early and not too late. Here are some fotos I

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/05/olive-oil-harvest-november.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-9905609742652815842011-05-06T03:33:00.000-07:002011-05-20T03:24:26.761-07:002011-05-20T03:24:26.761-07:00

With a plethora of extra virgin olive oils available nowadays both at your local grocery store and online, there is no wonder that there is a lot of confusion when choosing the best olive oil to purchase. Surely price is one factor in deciding which olive oil to purchase. But  there are many many more factors that should lead you to making the right purchase. Let me take a step back to explain

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-select-best-extra-virgin-olive.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-24190617365158601472011-05-02T03:29:00.000-07:002011-05-02T03:29:32.503-07:002011-05-02T03:29:32.503-07:00

Local food artisans provide simple meals to attendees of "Coloriamo i Cieli" Kite Festival in Castiglione del Lago, Umbria. Here "Fagiolini di Trasimeno," Pecorino Toscano, Bruschetta, Fava beans and local homemade wine.  Porchetta anyone?  Local cheeses, jams, oil and wine. Selling locally made chocolate in Umbria.

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/05/simple-slow-food-in-umbria-italy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-63578231292003328022011-05-02T02:51:00.000-07:002011-05-02T02:51:24.404-07:002011-05-02T02:51:24.404-07:00

My new found best friend is Italian extra virgin olive oil. Once you have tasted the best, it is really difficult to accept the rest. I am serious. I am becoming a connoisseur of olive oil and had no idea that bottle of oil that I had been using everyday contains such important qualitites.  Not all extra virgin olive oils however have these qualities. Only the higest quality extra virgin olive

Lucianoreply@blogger.com2http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/05/tips-on-using-preserving-olive-oil.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-58461987896438094812011-04-27T00:39:00.000-07:002011-04-27T00:39:54.905-07:002011-04-27T00:39:54.905-07:00

This weekend we decided to take the scenic and longer route to Siena from Chiusi. Actually it is all scenic but this is via the old Cassia instead of the Highway. Along the way we stopped at a wonderful little town called Buonconvento and took a glimpse at the handcrafts on sale as well as the antique open air market. This past weekend was the "Cose del Passato" or Things of the Past market with

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/04/visiting-buonconvento-siena.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-29104244013859398362011-04-12T07:26:00.000-07:002011-04-12T07:26:41.816-07:002011-04-12T07:26:41.816-07:00

One of my greatest disappointments after moving to Italy was television in Italy. I was never an avid television watcher and now I can pretty much say I don't watch any television at all in Italy.  Normal television in Italy is a disgrace. The few channels that are available do not offer anything of quality for anyone and you have to pay a state yearly tax for it. Unbelievable since the

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/04/television-in-italy-ugly.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-18066949636473764682011-04-06T03:20:00.000-07:002011-04-06T03:20:38.246-07:002011-04-06T03:20:38.246-07:00

We were greeted Friday evening by Giorgio and Paola, the owners of Casa Fabbrini who welcomed us into their home as if we had known them for years. It was literally like being "at home" only this home was an amazing Tuscan villa that opens its doors to guests year round and lavishes them with every detailed comfort. Giorgio and Paola are not only the best cooks, make their own jams, cookies,

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/04/enjoying-casa-fabbrini.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-21116497245523442362011-04-05T00:55:00.000-07:002011-04-05T00:55:13.361-07:002011-04-05T00:55:13.361-07:00

Living Italy: Slow Food: La Pera Cocomerina: "Every once in awhile it happens. You run into something amazing that only a few people know about and want to share it with everyone. O..."

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/04/living-italy-slow-food-la-pera.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-28131938864819515322011-04-05T00:41:00.000-07:002011-04-05T00:41:58.266-07:002011-04-05T00:41:58.266-07:00

Every once in awhile it happens. You run into something amazing that only a few people know about and want to share it with everyone. On our way home from the beach this weekend, we stopped in the tiniest town called Le Ville di Montecoronaro di Verghereto in the province of Forli-Cesena. My husband insisted that we go off the beaten path so I can get my hands on the most amazing jam called Pera

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/04/slow-food-la-pera-cocomerina.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-82366424802069204682011-04-01T00:25:00.000-07:002011-04-04T02:37:47.773-07:002011-04-04T02:37:47.773-07:00

I get so accustomed of living in the small town of Chiusi that things that occur have almost become common place. I forget that those who don't live in a small town may have no idea of how it is like. As with anything else, there are the pro's and con's but you have to decide for yourself. ... 1.  Be prepared that if you wear the same clothing more than two days in a row people will comment on

Lucianoreply@blogger.com2http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/04/good-bad-ugly-of-living-in-small-town.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-5069152481814158582011-01-18T06:23:00.000-08:002011-01-18T06:23:25.340-08:002011-01-18T06:23:25.340-08:00

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/01/birds-in-tuscany.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-34949810119279489132011-01-13T03:21:00.000-08:002011-01-13T03:21:15.602-08:002011-01-13T03:21:15.602-08:00

Lucianoreply@blogger.com0http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2011/01/valdorcia-valdichiana-tuscany-january.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-23267322132369542672010-06-08T07:00:00.000-07:002010-06-08T07:05:17.264-07:002010-06-08T07:05:17.264-07:00

Not only am I saddened that I don't get to write that much anymore, but every once in awhile I have an aahh moment where I think I should write about this.This morning was one of those. My child will be entering first grade in the Fall. This is a huge transition for any parent especially one living abroad. I have to learn what it is all about and show no signs of anxiety in doing so.Anyhow in

Lucianoreply@blogger.com4http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2010/06/elementary-school-in-italy-transition.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601617353996499259.post-8438594419557834382010-03-12T06:08:00.001-08:002010-03-12T06:12:17.293-08:002010-03-12T06:12:17.293-08:00

Lucianoreply@blogger.com1http://living-italy.blogspot.com/2010/03/snowstorm-in-chiusi-march-2010.html