Spirito Italiano &The Italian Connection

17/06/2025

Day 7: Pasta Map of Italy - Did you know each region of Italy has its own signature pasta? Each region’s pasta tells a story about its people, land, and traditions

Puglia: Orecchiette
Emilia-Romagna: Tagliatelle
Lazio: Bucatini
Sicily: Busiate
Lombardy: Casoncelli
Veneto: Bigoli
Liguria: Trofie
Tuscany: Pici
Umbria: Strangozzi
Abruzzo: Spaghetti alla Chitarra
Campania: Ziti
Calabria: Fileja
Sardinia: Mallorredus

Which one have you tried?

15/06/2025

Day 6 of Our La Dolce Vita Experience - Italian Market Morning. “The scent of fresh basil. The chatter of local vendors. The vibrant reds of ripe tomatoes. Nothing beats an Italian morning market. Which would end up in your basket?

Pecorino or Parmigiano?
Fresh pasta or focaccia?
Prosciutto di Parma or Mortadella?
San Marzano Tomatoes or Fresh Artichokes?
Olive Oil or Balsamic Vinegar?
Focaccia or Ciabatta?
Limoncello or Amaro?
Taralli or Grissini?

13/06/2025

Day 5 of our La Dolce Vita: 9 tips on how to travel like an Italian.

Italians know how to travel well. Here's how you can too:

- Ditch the rush. Slow Down: Italians rarely rush, especially when it comes to meals or sightseeing. Take your time at cafés, linger over lunch, and enjoy the art of people-watching in a piazza.

- Eat Local, Eat Seasonal: Seek out trattorias and osterias where locals dine. Order regional specialities and ask about the day’s fresh ingredients.

- Dress the Part: Italians are known for their style. Even casual outfits are put together—think crisp shirts, tailored pants, and good shoes. Leave the athletic wear for the gym!

- Travel by Train: Italians love their trains—use the extensive rail network to hop between cities and villages, enjoying scenic views along the way.

- Embrace the Aperitivo: Join locals for a pre-dinner drink and snacks at a neighbourhood bar. It’s as much about socialising as it is about the drink.

- Learn basic phrases. Speak a Little Italian: Even a few words—“buongiorno,” “grazie,” “per favore”—go a long way and are always appreciated.

- Visit Small Towns: Don’t just stick to the big cities. Explore hilltop villages, coastal hamlets, and rural countryside for a more genuine experience.

- Shop at Local Markets: Italians love their markets for fresh produce, cheese, and cured meats. Wander through and sample what’s in season.

- Take a Passeggiata: In the evening, join the locals for a leisurely stroll through the main street or along the waterfront.

Slow down. You're on Italian time. Traveling like an Italian is about savouring the journey as much as the destination. Buon Viaggio

11/06/2025

We continue our Dolce Vita 10 day experience. Today we will stop for that Aperitivo hour. It’s 6PM. You're in a piazza - Piazza Navona? Piazza San Marco perhaps or why not Piazza Dante. The sky’s glowing, the drink is chilled, and the olives are perfectly salty. This is Aperitivo Hour — Italy’s golden ritual.” What's your go-to aperitivo: Aperol Spritz or Negroni?

Or here is a great list to try out... - Americano; Campari Soda; Hugo; Vermouth; Cynar Spritz; Sbagliato or just simply Prosecco!

Interested to know more about what your favourite aperitivo is....

09/06/2025

The Villa Of The Day where La Dolce Vita reigns. The undiscovered region of Basilicata. Meet Villa Matra, your private slice of the Italian countryside and sea. Think morning walks, al fresco dinners, and that golden hour glow. Want to wake up here?”
For More Details just ask we will be more than happy to send you full details.

08/06/2025

So we start your day with a morning coffee. In Italy, coffee is more than a drink — it’s a ritual. From standing at the bar with an espresso in Rome, to sipping a cappuccino under the Tuscan sun, this is how Italians start their day ☕” What’s your go-to morning brew?

07/06/2025

What Is La Dolce Vita? For the next 10 days starting tomorrow, we’re taking you on a journey through Italy’s sweetest pleasures. We’re celebrating Italy’s beautiful rhythm of life — slow mornings, fresh flavours, stunning views, and everything in between. Whether you're dreaming of vineyards in Tuscany or sunsets in Sicily, your journey begins here. Ready to indulge in La Dolce Vita?

01/06/2025

Where the living and the dead come together.

Palermo’s Capuchin Catacombs (Catacombe dei Cappuccini) are among the most eerie and unforgettable sites in the world. Hidden beneath an otherwise unassuming monastery, this attraction offers a chilling yet fascinating look into the Sicilian approach to death and preservation over the centuries.

🕯️ What Are the Capuchin Catacombs?
The catacombs began as a burial place for Capuchin friars in the late 1500s. However, due to a combination of unique mummification techniques and the arid conditions underground, the bodies were incredibly well preserved. Over time, the catacombs became a sort of status symbol—local aristocrats, professionals, and even children were interred here.

What You’ll See......
More than 8,000 bodies line the corridors, many dressed in the clothing of their time. Some stand in niches, others lie in open coffins. The bodies are divided into sections: men, women, virgins, children, priests, professionals, and monks. Among the most famous is Rosalia Lombardo, a two-year-old girl who died in 1920. Her incredibly well-preserved body, thanks to a special embalming technique, still looks like she's simply sleeping—earning her the nickname "Sleeping Beauty."



Bespoke Holidays? The Italian Connection (London).......

30/05/2025

Pay your respect in Rome to some of the greatest British literaries. Great Romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley. The Protestant Cemetery of Rome, officially known as Cimitero acattolico (Non-Catholic cemetery). One of the oldest burial grounds in Europe.



Fancy an Italian Bespoke Holiday?

29/05/2025

Did you know? The Sunken City of Baia. A submerged archeological park. There are various ways to discover this hidden location. Snorkelling and scuba diving. With experienced and beginner diving options where you can explore the ruins at depths of around 5 metres. Dive sites range from 13 to 42 feet. OR transparent canoes.

For further assistance for that bespoke Italian holiday, just get in touch.

Subscribe to France 24 now:http://f24.my/youtubeENFRANCE 24 live news stream: all the latest news 24/7http://f24.my/YTliveENIt's a forgotten world, hidden un...