Blog: Discover Italy

Cassatella di Sant'Agata – “Saint Agatha’s Breasts” In Sicily, there is a well-known pastry known as Cassatella di Sant'Agata, translated as, Saint Agatha's Breasts. Named after Saint Agatha, an early Christian martyr who was tortured by having her breasts cut off, these round shaped sweets are made of sponge cake, soaked in Rosolio (a traditional Italian liquor), and filled with ricotta cheese, chocolate drops, and candied fruit - such as oranges or citrons and then …

Commodus, The Most Diabolic Roman Emperor Does anyone else out there have a child who has a favorite Roman Emperor? I am assuming probably not. My daughter became obsessed with the Roman Emperor Commodus after watching Ridley Scott’s Gladiator starring Russell Crowe. On a recent trip to Rome, while visiting the Vatican Museum we wandered into a gallery of Roman sculpture. All of the sudden, my daughter went running down the room, yelling, “There’s Commodus”. In a room ful …

Limoncello Cocktails Visiting Amalfi, Sorrento or Positano and enjoying limoncello is a must-do experience on the Amalfi Coast. Limoncello is a lemon liquor special to this area of Italy. You will find it in every restaurant on the Amalfi Coast. Many shops sell bottles for you to take home. And local factories offer tours showcasing how limoncello is made. Limoncello produced on the Amalfi Coast is the quintessential limoncello for here this lemon flavored liquor is made from the large, fra …

Palio di Siena - The Winner of the July 3, 2025 is Oca The Results are in Oca has won the July 3rd, 2025 Il Palio di Siena. Jockey Giovanni Atzeni who goes by the professional name Tittia wins for the 11th time. This is the 68th win for the Oca (Goose) Contrada. The Palio is by far the world’s wildest horse race and Atzeni has become the jockey who has been able to dominate this 392 year event. First held in 1656, The Palio di Siena, otherwise known as "Il Palio", is one of the oldest …

17 Contrade di Siena - Palio di Siena In the Middle Ages, Siena was partitioned into districts called contrade. Each Contrada formed a military company which was responsible for defending Siena. Originally there were 59 contrade, but today only 17 remain. Today the only battle these contrade fight is the Palio – a competitive bareback horse race that takes place on July 2 and August 16 every year in the city's main piazza - Piazza del Campo. Every person who was born or lives in Siena bel …

Palio di Siena - The Most Insane Horserace (Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons) Siena is by far one of my favorite Italian towns, a captivating medieval city in Tuscany, renowned for its well-preserved Gothic architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and the thrilling Palio. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern excitement, making it a must-visit destination. If you happen to be traveling to Italy during the summer, do try …

Poveglia Island: The Isle of Death - Italy's Most Haunted Places Poveglia Island is a small isle located off the coast of Italy, in the Venetian Lagoon, that is considered by many, locals and tourists alike, to be haunted by the restless, tortured souls of victims who previously inhabited the island. In the Middle Ages, the island was used as a Lazzaretto, a maritime quarantine facility, and a place of exile for those beyond repair plagued with diseases. Later, it was used as a mental asylum. Th …

Who Was The Merchant of Prato People often ask me why I named my business “The Merchant of Prato”. Well, I am a lover of history and have my Master’s degree in Medieval Studies. An influential businessman lived during this time and he has come down in history as the Merchant of Prato. His name is Francesco di Marco Datini and he lived during the 1300’s in the Tuscan town of Prato, which is about 8 miles northeast of Florence, Italy. He was an important merchant who i …

Hospital of the Innocents, Florence, Italy In Florence, Italy stands an architectural masterpiece Ospedale degli Innocenti (The Hospital of the Innocents) created by Filippo Brunelleschi who designed the iconic symbol of Florence – The Duomo of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Visiting Florence, one would assume this majestic building must be a palace or a religious institution, however the purpose of this building was a lot less grand. It served as a “hospital” for abandone …

Did You Know St. James & St. Philip Are Buried in Rome? I don’t know how many times I have visited Rome, but each time I discover new places that I have never seen before. I think you could probably spend a lifetime in Rome and never see all the sights. A few months ago, I was in Rome with my tour book in hand and all the locations I had yet to see marked. One was the Basilica Santi XII Apostoli (The Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles), which is the final resting place of the Apostle …