My Bella Vita Travel

16/01/2025

Have you been thinking that 2025 is the year to pick up some Italian? Check out this fun blog post on a few words that always used to confuse me (and sometimes still do) back when I was first learning the language.

Ahhh, Italy. A country rich in history, brimming with beautiful people speaking the flowery, romantic language of love. To the untrained ear, general street directions, such as go to the end of the road, turn right, then turn left at the light, are an alluring combination of seducing sounds and amor...

14/01/2025

Visiting your ancestry village is always such an emotional and special moment, and being able to leave your "mark" there makes it even more precious!

13/01/2025

Old Wives’ Tales...We’ve all heard them, haven't we? Many will say they simply aren't true, but when it comes to Southern Italians, they aren't taking any chances!

(This post was originally published on this site in May, 2007) Old Wives’ Tales. We’ve all heard them. We’ve all repeated them. We might even believe a few of them. Like, “Don’t play with fire or you’ll wet the bed,” which always scared me a little bit. Or, “Don’t cross your eyes o...

11/01/2025

The kids made even more friends, this time furry. We had to bribe them with gelato to separate them, do you think it worked? 😆😝

10/01/2025

There is nothing like a good homemade Bolognese sauce in the winter months to stick to your ribs and warm you up from the blistery weather outside.

There is nothing like a good homemade Bolognese sauce in the winter months to stick to your ribs and warm you up from the blistery weather outside. Yes, even in Calabria things get cold, and this Bolognese sauce is one of our old standbys. It’s Italian comfort food for the soul and when added to [...

08/01/2025

Last year, we had a wonderful family visit us and we got to do something really fun with them. The kiddos joined a local soccer team and trained/played with them. They all had a blast!

07/01/2025

You’ve booked your flights. You’ve secured transfers. You’ve reserved the best hotels and B&Bs in the country. You’ve even made notes on recommended restaurants, bars and pubs.

But have you done it all? We'd love to hear your tips for Pre-Trip Planning, share them in the comments!

You’ve booked your flights. You’ve secured transfers. You’ve reserved the best hotels and B&Bs in the country. You’ve even made notes on recommended restaurants, bars and pubs. But have you done it all? The truth of the matter is it is hard, even for frequent travelers, to remember the vast ...

24/12/2024

Sending warm wishes for a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and peace. Thank you for being a cherished part of our My Bella Vita Travel family!

21/12/2024

If you are in Italy during the Christmas season and hear the unique sounds of the Zampognari, well, you are in for a real treat! You might be wondering why? Well, there aren’t many around anymore. So, when you do come across someone playing this old-fashioned bagpipe, you are sure to find a crowd.

The music of the Zampognari is one of the most Christmasy sounds you’ll hear in Calabria. It brings Christmas holiday cheer and joy.

19/12/2024

In most parts of Calabria, they are called Pignolata or Scalilli, but you can also find them in other parts of Southern Italy under a different name, for example, they are known as Struffoli in Naples and Cicerchiata in Abruzzo.

In most parts of Calabria, they are called Pignolata or Scalilli, but you can also find them in other parts of Southern Italy under a different name, for example, they are known as Struffoli in Naples and Cicerchiata in Abruzzo. This Christmas dessert goes way back, we’re talking back to the perio...

18/12/2024

The supermarkets in Italy are absolutely exploding with panettone and pandoro of all flavors. Which do you prefer? Let us know in the comments.

17/12/2024

Just admiring some of that liquid gold!

16/12/2024

Which tradition do you do? Or do you do both? Let us know in the comments!

15/12/2024

A southern Italian Christmas would be incomplete without a few rounds of Tombola with family and friends. Tombola is a board game that looks like Bingo, and in some ways, is quite similar to it.

Have you ever played this game?

A southern Italian Christmas would be incomplete without a few rounds of Tombola with family and friends. Tombola is a board game that looks like Bingo, and in some ways, is quite similar to it. This game is so easy to play that the whole family can get involved. Tombola consists of: le cartelle or....

13/12/2024

When you have the chance to learn traditional Calabrian folk music from one of our favorite musicians, you take it! Always say yes to new experiences, they are what memories are made of! :)

12/12/2024

Christmas is a time of year that is just bursting at the seams with traditions and many of them, especially in Calabria, include food. During the Christmas season, Calabrian kitchens are working overtime to prepare these delicious Christmas sweets in abundance.

Christmas is a time of year that is just bursting at the seams with traditions and many of them, especially in Calabria, include food. During the Christmas season, Italian kitchens are working overtime to prepare delicious Christmas sweets in abundance. It is next to impossible to experience Christm...

11/12/2024

I was thrilled to speak at an Exploring Italy event last night, hosted by ENIT - Agenzia Nazionale del Turismo, Consulate General of Italy in Houston , and the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce of Texas in Houston.

And I want to give a public shout out to Tracie Parzen for stopping by and supporting me. It was amazing seeing you there, friend.

10/12/2024

Embracing her roots! 🥰