Hidden Treasures of Italy

August 21, 2023

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

Summer strolls along the beautiful Italian piazzas are a hidden treasure of Italy. As the golden hour approaches and long summer nights linger, Italians walk leisurely among the many exquisite squares in Italy. La passeggiata or a relaxing walk is a general pass time that is part of the Italian repertoire. It consists of friends walking arm in arm, shopping, people watching, and getting some low impact exercise before the sumptuous late night cena that awaits them. Italians are usually slim, but their custom of walking everywhere, and strolling just for pleasure helps them to remain trim and happy.

La passeggiata is most memorable among the many iconic piazzas, one of which is Piazza San Marco in Venice. Venice is a walkers dream, and you are walking in a dream in this gorgeous place. To walk among the palaces of the Doge, and to cross the Bridge of Sighs is enchanting, and a memory that will never diminish. Each pace along the Grand Canal with gondoliers singing romantic arias touches the senses to infinite ends.

Walking in Siena is just as magical, you can almost hear the minstrels from the Renaissance, and you can see the ornate porticos along Piazza del Campo. Every moment seems otherworldly and surreal as you walk serenely toward the Basilica di San Domenico which has the relics of St. Catherine of Siena. It’s amazing how you can get an Art History lesson, a spiritual message, and burn calories while enjoying a passeggiatta in Siena, or really anywhere in Italy. Works of art are in small streets and in small villages everywhere in Italy.

A stroll in Florence brings you back to visit the treasures of some of the greatest art masters in history. Piazza Della Signoria is an outdoor museum. The famous Giotto baptistry doors are a world renowned masterpiece. Works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini and other famous artists will greet you with every step you take. The overwhelming beauty of the art, but also of the people who eyes are filled with awe, is inspiring, and breathtaking.

All roads lead to Rome, and two of my favorite piazzas in Rome for a passeggiata, are Piazza Navona, and Piazza San Lorenzo. The very famous and also touristy Piazza Navona still captures the heart with the fabulous Bernini statues, and enticing cafes, where tempting gelatos are ready to be enjoyed. One of the best flavors is stracciatella, which is a creamy vanilla with streaks of fudgy chocolate. It will change your life!

For a hidden gem of a piazza, Piazza San Lorenzo, is frequented more by locals, and eclectic shoppers who are not looking for designer labels, but for quality clothing and fine dining. It is a quiet square with unique boutiques which are filled with understated classics, and the piazza is just a wonderful place for a quiet walk. Somewhere to stroll, think, and be joyful.

I haven’t been back to Italy in four years, I miss Italy so much, it is truly a part of me. I can still see these piazzas in my dreams, I hope to see them again someday. Please share your memories from your passeggiatas in Italy, I would love to hear about them.

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

July 25, 2023

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

As we look forward to cooler days and fall events, I hope you will consider becoming a member of the Benvenuto Lodge – Order Sons of Italy. The Lodge has been in existence since the 1980s and was started by Edmund and Anna Forte, both had been long-time educators, and promotors of Italian culture and history. I have been a member for over three decades, and my sons both were fortunate enough to receive a scholarship toward their high school education because of the generosity of the Lodge for children of Italian heritage.

The meetings take place the third Saturday of every month at noon, and usually last about two hours. Our location is at the St. James Church, 135 Myrtle Avenue in Havertown. The Lodge meetings begin with Lodge announcements and future news and are followed by a special event. We are now planning for potential guest speakers from The Mario Lanza Institute, the Italian Consulate, and local Italian restaurants. In addition we plan on offering performances from Italian musical groups, vocalists, field trips, and authors about Italian immigration. The Lodge has a holiday luncheon at Christmas and a spring anniversary celebration.

If you are interested in joining please fill out the attached application and bring it to our meeting on September 16. The fees to join are modest and the events are wonderful and fun. Mostly the Lodge is committed to promote everything and everyone Italian. It would be great to see you there and say Benvenuto to you which means Welcome in Italian! If you have any questions please e mail me at spigonaj@gmail.com.

Joanne Natale Spigonardo, Vice President, Benvenuto Lodge

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

June 16, 2023

When I think of summer, I think of one of my favorite summer dishes. which are the stuffed peppers my Mom would make. We would go to the Jersey farms and get wonderful produce, some of which were the red and green bell peppers. Also, we would get the most luscious tomatoes produced in the US, there is nothing like a ripe Jersey tomato! The only tomato that would beat this, is the San Marzanos of Italy – Italy always takes the prize. We would make fresh marinara sauce with the Jersey tomatoes. The marinara is part of the stuffed peppers recipe.

If you are trying to eliminate meat from your diet, these delicious stuffed peppers are better than any steak imaginable. I can still smell them in my Mom’s kitchen, some of the best memories of my childhood was eating these peppers cold, delicious! They were perfect for summer, hot or cold.

Mom was a master chef like no other. She was tremendously creative and tried different spins on classic recipes, and I think her stuffed peppers are truly unique. So I wanted to share her recipe with you. You basically start out with 6-8 large bell peppers seeded and washed, remove the top – which you can save for vegetable stock – waste not want not. Make your own marinara, its so easy – if you are Italian you really don’t need this recipe, but I do include one below, if you do, and no pressure! Note the recipe for the filling for the peppers below.

1 1/2 cup of whole milk ricotta cheese

2 eggs

1 cup of white bread diced into small pieces 1/4 inch

1 cup grated parmiggiano

2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley

Salt & Pepper to Taste

2 round rolls – set aside

Combine mixture and stuff peppers, use a quarter of a roll to secure the top, fry each pepper in olive oil – brown – when browned – use baking dish and add marinara sauce to the bottom of dish, place peppers in dish and top with marinara – bake covered for 30 minutes in 350 degree oven – uncover and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes. Let peppers rest for about a half hour before serving. Serve with a side of spaghetti with the rest of the marinara garnish with shaved parmiggiano. Note a fantastic marinara recipe here: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/marinara-sauce-recipe2-1950802

Hope you enjoy these peppers, and the wonderful tastes of summer! Summer is right around the corner with so many local farms with delectable produce right on our doorstep. You will never miss the beef, I promise! Make sure to share your Italian heritage through your own wonderful and traditional food. Buon Appetito!

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

May 8, 2023

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

For those of you who have been blessed to have an Italian Mother and an Italian Grandmother, I hope these words you are reading will sound familiar and meaningful. Of course, as in all individuals, everyone’s experience is unique. I’m paying tribute to my Grandmother, Teresa. She was the strongest woman I have ever met, with my Mother, Raffaela, being a close second.

Both Teresa and Raffaela had the stamina of an army and the hearts of legions. They had to have these qualities in order to survive the life that they were handed. I tell a fictionalized version of their story, in my book White Widow. This book was inspired by the countless stories my Grandmother and Mother told me. In addition, my Mother began to write some of these stories in a journal a few years before her death.

The first time, I heard the words White Widow, was in a book I read, called Unto the Sons by Jerre Mangione and Gaetano Talese. This book speaks about Italian immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I read this book decades ago but it really resonated with me because I realized that my Grandmother Teresa was a White Widow.

White Widows were women that were left behind in Italy while their husbands went to the US to work. The husbands would send money back to the family in Italy to help support them. Often these women would never see their husbands again. While the monetary support was helpful, it didn’t begin to cover what was needed. It certainly didn’t cover the herculean task of raising a family in war-ravaged and impoverished villages.

In the process of writing my book, I was torn about my devotion and respect for my Grandfather, for giving me the opportunity to immigrate to America, and the resilience and sacrifices of my Grandmother for keeping us safe in Italy. My memory allows me to still recall the day my Mother left Italy to travel to the US alone so that she could get a job and establish residency before I and the rest of my family could travel to Philadelphia. The gratitude I feel for my ancestors is deep, and I would not be in this beautiful country without their ingenuity and persistence.

On this Mother’s Day, I hope you delve into your own histories, and honor the women, whether they were Italian or not, those that came before you, those that set the pace for you and for giving you a better life. Women who were devoted to Our Mother Mary, who prayed the rosary, and had unquestionable faith. I’m honoring both my Grandmother and Mother who made me who I am, they were Renaissance women, ahead of their time to take charge and to protect those that they loved. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers in the Universe!

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

April 16, 2023

I’ve had the good fortune to travel to Italy dozens of times, and while it is impossible to make a top list of my favorite places, there are some places that always inch there way to the top of my list. One of them is Portofino, nestled in the Ligurian Coast of Italy. Portofino is magical in every way, the blues of the water and sky are an impossible blue that is indescribable unless you see it with your own eyes. Portofino is for those who want lazy days in a spectacular setting, who enjoy and savor simple moments of true beauty. Like every place in Italy, the food is exquisite, with one of the local delicacies being focaccia with pesto and olives. In addition the seafood is some of the best that I’ve ever enjoyed. Desert is no exception, with delectable pastries, and the after dinner drink to beat all after dinner drinks, the famous Scropino, which is a concoction of Prosecco and lemon sorbetto. Evenings consist of classical music in outdoor cafes and fabulous strolls along the water. Portofino is a perfect place for a honeymoon, anniversary, or for no reason at all.

If you have never been to Sicily, you must go. There is so much history and natural beauty with one of the wonders of the world, being Mount Etna.

My husband, Francesco and I visited Mount Etna in 2019, and it was a bucket list adventure for us. Even if you are not a hiker you will be able to manage some of the less steeper trails where you will be among the clouds. It is a mesmerizing place, and a spiritual experience. Mount Etna is an active volcano situated between Messina and Catania in eastern Sicily. It is fairly safe to visit Mount Etna as it is constantly surveyed for its security, however Mount Etna did recently erupt in November, 2022. Fortunately, there were no causalities. Even with the risk, I would totally visit Mount Etna again. We worked up an appetite, and on the return descent we stopped in Taormina, where we enjoyed the world-famous, arancini, rice balls filled with several delicacies. Taormina is a must see, with the famous San Domenico Hotel, (featured in White Lotus on HBO). More on Taormina in a future blog.

Pompeii dates back to the 7th Century BC. It is located near the Bay of Naples. It is incredible to imagine how advance this civilization was, and how many milestones they reached along with the influence of the Greeks. Most of the ancient Roman city is still intact where there are countless artifacts to admire. Pompeii became frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which left the city in ash. Everyone was killed, however the ash preserved Pompeii for many centuries. In the 1700s the splendor of Pompeii was excavated under the leadership of Don Carlos, King of Naples.

Walking along the cobblestones of Pompeii one is transported to an advanced culture, and it seems surreal to know that the famous Centaur statue will continue to guard Pompeii for many civilizations to come. We were lucky to stop in Naples on the way back, where we enjoyed un espresso stretto with a delicious sfogliatella. Sofliatelle are Neapolitan traditional pastries, with dozens of crispy layers, filled with sweet ricotta and candied fruit.

Really there are countless spots in Italy that I love, but Portofino, Mount Etna, and Pompeii are engraved in my memories and are truly special.

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

February 6, 2023

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

When 17th Century Venetians started to celebrate Carnevale as we know it today, they dressed in elaborate costumes and masks. The experience was to create an illusion of identity. It was a place and is a place where royalty can mix with anyone. Where the elite are on the same playing field as the masses. It is a place to create a magic mirror that reflects revelry without any distinction of society or class. This year’s theme is in fact the magic mirror. Festivities begins in Venice on February 11 and will run through Tuesday, February 22 this year.

The history of Carnevale or the festival of meats dates back to the 11th Century when Venice was taking a strong hold in Italy over Rome. The festivals started to celebrate the many victories of Venice’s power in Italy. Venice is the Carnevale centerpiece of an extravaganza of events especially the regattas and street parties. Casanova, the renowned lover of Venice, as well as historian of Venice and Carnevale, authored many short stores about his escapades during his time.

Throughout Italy the days before Ash Wednesday became a time to indulge in food, wine, and music. These traditions are still part of life in Italy and throughout the world, the more famous ones are in Brazil and New Orleans. Typically Carnevale is celebrated with parades, parties, and bonfires in village squares. The bonfires are to ward off evil spirts and to spread light and good will. Southern Italy has more religious types of parades, and a tribute to each area’s patron saints. To be followed by delicacies that originated in their towns.

In Italian American families, many of us still uphold Carnevale traditions. Many of us prepare rich pasta sauces, with several types of meat to serve over bucatini – a pasta reserved for special occasions. Sweets are a big part of Carnevale, Cenci are a favorite treat, and are a type of fried sweet bow cookies, also different types of zepole filled with crème are a part of the tradition. Cream puffs, sfogliatelle, cannoli, cookies and cakes of all types are served. A roast of lamb or pork is also a part of the meal. Folks usually have a discussion about all the things they are giving up for Lent and make sure to enjoy the forbidden bites before midnight. Mostly Carnevale is the last hurrah before a time of atonement and reflection.

I hope you celebrate Carnevale this year, and think about the theme of the magic mirror, it’s exciting to step out of your comfort zone and into a mask of disguise and fun for a few days. I hope you enjoy all your special treats as well! Maybe you can try the Cenci Recipe here: https://www.italianfoodforever.com/2008/07/cenci/

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

December 31, 2022

As Italians are gathering at Circus Maximus in Rome on New Year’s Eve, they are full of wonderful prosecco and delicious food. Perhaps many of them have already enjoyed their lentil soup with cottechino and a sumptuous portion of porchetta. They are joyous and boisterous with good times and happiness. In the back of their minds they are thinking about their lists of good intentions, or New Years Resolutions. Like everyone in the world, Italians are thinking of their past year and how they can improve their lives going forward.

Yes, Italians are like the rest of us making resolutions, but many Italians are not making the same resolutions as we are in the US. They are thinking about how they are going to take more time to spend with their families, they are already choosing their summer holiday destinations, and they are thinking about drinking the good wine. Of course, Italians have the best wine in the world, given their wealth of Barolos, Brunellos, Barberas, Chiantis and Montelpulcianos.

It’s true that on their New Year’s Resolution list, Italians want to lose weight, and exercise, and yes they want to read real literature and appreciate great art. You must say it is easy for them, as Italians walk on average about 4 miles a day. Una Passaggiata or a long walk is a staple in the everyday of an Italian, the daily walk to the grocery store, work, or just to take in the views is normal and keeps them fit, as they eat their quota of 100 grams of pasta per day. This exercise in daily life let’s them also eat on average one gelato a day as well. They don’t think about it but just enjoy to the fullest.

Taking in the culture is also around the corner, where in many churches you can find renowned works of art by Caravaggio, Titziano, Bellini, and Botticelli, it’s all in the neighborhood of the great garden of delights in the major Italian cities, and also the smaller ones. Who could argue that an Italian is not a lover of literature, when they are born with a copy of Dante’s Divina Commedia at hand. So, I say they are bound to keep their resolutions.

Let’s remember that Italians are not so much about self improvement, but about savoring every precocious and precious moment of life. Their priorities lie in enjoying the people, places, and all things delicious, and mostly they will always drink the good wine.

I hope you enjoy the good wine in 2023 and enjoy life as Italians always do!

Buon Anno! Happy New Year!

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

I hope you have a wonderful 2023 full of many of the Italian priorities that I mention here, enjoy every moment to the fullest.

Buon Anno!

Joanne

December 1, 2022

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

The Manger Scene or Il Presepio dates back to the 13th century and was started by St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. Saint Francis built a creche in a cave and celebrated Mass on Christmas in the town of Greccio, Italy. There is a beautiful sanctuary in Greccio that commemorates the Nativity that was constructed in 1223 by St. Francis. Greccio is a small hill town in Lazio and is still frequented today by historians and artists. It always amazes me how time seems to stand still in Italy, and in particular in Greccio during Christmas.

It took hundreds of years before Naples became the center for sculptures of the Manger Scene. In the early 1800’s sculptors were commissioned to carve life size and life like replicas of the Nativity. This was shortly followed by theater performances by live actors each Christmas Eve. All the neighborhoods and provinces in Naples still follow this beautiful tradition. In fact, starting December 8, which is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, there are festivals and live theatre surrounding the birth of Jesus and depicting the Manger Scene. It is a gift that St. Francis gave to us, it brings us closer to the meaning of Christmas.

Via San Gregorio Armenio in Naples is frozen in time and is where countless artisans display their beautiful versions of Jesus, Mary, and Josepth. The extent of the statues on sale is mesmerizing and so is the ornate and intricate detail of each piece. It is Christmas everyday on this street, and tourists flock to this location for beautiful Christmas gifts in all seasons. This is the cornerstone of the holiday festivities in Naples. The city is ablaze with lights from early December through January. Naples also celebrates the wonderful feast of Santa Lucia, who is known to bring light and vision throughout the world. This celebration takes place on December 13.

It is clear to see that Naples is a city of great faith and this brings a joy to all who visit. The people of Naples are bright and full of life and they share this gift with all they meet. As the saying goes, lontano da Napoli non si po sta – which means you can never be far from Naples. I cherish the wonderful traditions of Christmas in Naples and hold dear the beauty of the Manger Scene. Wishing all of you the deep and true happiness that Christmas brings.

Buon Natale!

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

October 5, 2022

The silk scarf or foulard is probably one of the most beautiful Italian accessory. As we all know the Italians have great style and their accessories are high end and meticulously selected to enhance any wardrobe that will outlast trends. Designers have had their own wonderful scarves that are signature creations and are truly art-forms in their own right. Some of the most gorgeous scarves have been designed by Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Versace, Ferragamo, Laura Biagiotti, and countless other fashion houses.

Italian silk is probably the most exquisite in the world. Lake Como is also known as Silk City because if its many factories and family-owned businesses. Ludivico Sforza, who was the Duke of Milan in 1400 cultivated mulberry trees in Lake Como to feed the silkworms. This was the beginning of the silk industry in Italy. For the following centuries silk manufacturing has been prevalent throughout Italy. Italy is renowned for the Made in Italy fashion brand because of its silk industry, as well as, many other impeccable fashion items.

Perhaps the first scarf dates back to Egyptian times, when Nefertiti wore magnificent head and neck coverings that adorned her clothing. The Romans utilized neck coverings for warmth and practicality, while the French invented the cravat in the 17th century. Queen Victoria was a fashion icon in her time, with beautiful English lace scarves and neck pieces. It was actresses like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly that brought the scarf to more modern times. Who could forget Audrey in her chic outfit with a fashionable scarf in Roman Holiday. A scarf can transform any outfit. Grace Kelly always a timeless beauty, was even more beautiful in her many head scarves throughout her career as an actress. Princess Grace inspired the famous Gucci Flora Scarf that was especially designed for her. The Gucci Flora Scarf is a true art form and still popular today after 7 decades.

Like all things Italian, quality and not quantity is the mantra for everything, and also when accessorizing. It is not unreasonable to drop several hundred dollars on a scarf, but it is an investment that will last a lifetime. It is a luxury item that can be a family heirloom, the same as jewelry or art. A scarf is an accessory for all seasons. Italian women and men wear scarves as a little extra something, a thing of beauty that identifies their special brand and personality.

About the Author:

Joanne Natale Spigonardo

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.

By Joanne Natale Spigonardo

September 6, 2022

While coffee dates back to first being discovered in Ethiopia in the 9th Century, it became available in Italy in the 16th century and imported through the port of Venice. Venice has a strong background in the coffee industry because of its prime location on the Adriatic Sea. History tells us that coffee was consumed heavily in Arab nations so that worshipers could stay awake during late night prayers. It was and still is a staple throughout the Middle East and Europe.

In Italy it was available for the rich and sold in pharmacies. Soon it became available for the middle classes and made primarily at home. The rise of coffee as a pass time in fancy Italian bars and hotels became prevalent in the 1950s and 60s. You may remember watching La Dolce Vita the fabulous Fellini movie and marveling at the beautiful people sitting at the once famous Cafe de Paris on Via Veneto. Sipping Espresso at a choice location was an event to see and be seen. It still is today.

Coffee is also a part of haute cuisine. Espresso flavor became and is a part of eclectic pastries and candy. Coffee and chocolate go hand in hand to create some of our most beloved desserts. The most famous one perhaps being Tira mi Su, a delicious pick me up.

As a child, I began drinking caffe latte at age 2. I’m not very tall, so maybe it did stunt my growth, but it was worth it! Coffee is one of my favorite things generally, but specifically it is an ultimate experience for me when drinking coffee in Italy. Most Italians go to the local corner bar for their morning fix. The standard is a strong caffe ristretto or cappuccino and these are consumed quickly standing up before work . No true Italian in Italy or elsewhere will ever drink a cappuccino after 11AM. This is insulting to Italians and a reminder that you are not really embracing their culture. The leisurely espresso is consumed in late afternoon at a spectacular outdoor café, sitting down with a gelato, and this is followed by people watching, taking in the runway of beautiful Italian fashion.

Coffee culture in America has exploded in the new millennium, but it greatly differs from Italian coffee culture. There is a common ground in that drinking coffee is a social opportunity. Italian coffee culture is a hidden treasure, and like all pass times in Italy, it is entrenched in taking time to enjoy simple pleasures, and savoring life in all its wonderful and surprising ways. Hope you enjoy a buon caffe today!

About the Author:

Joanne has many years of experience in travel to Italy, Italian art, literature, film, history, wine, and cuisine. She is a lover of nature and beauty.  She is an advocate for Italian immigrant women, and the author of White Widow, which is available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/White-Widow-Joanne-Natale-Spigonardo/dp/B085DT65DB.  For more information about Joanne please visit her LinkedIn page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-spigonardo-b4824a9/.