Only last Monday I wrote that I had blocked my agenda every single night for the past week to watch the five (!) Sanremo live shows. However, something unexpected came up that completely changed my schedule. That Monday evening late, I received a phone call asking me whether I could go to Turin. Of course! …
Weekly blog #118: A tribute to the Sanremo festival Read More »
Italy is currently under the spell of the most important election of the year: who will be the new Italian representative? Throughout this week, there will be several rounds of voting, and this Saturday, the Italians will finally know who is officially representing them. If you’ve been following the news a bit in recent days, …
In about four months’ time, the Italian city of Turin will be the centre of Europe, when the biggest music spectacle in the world is brought to the stage here. After Måneskin won the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam on the 22nd of May last year, Victoria, Ethan, Thomas and Damiano ensured …
Weekly blog #116: The Sound of Beauty, the Italian Eurovision theme 2022 Read More »
I’ve always said it: Paris is my absolute favourite city outside Italy. Having only just returned from a weekend in the French capital, I realised this was already the fifth time I was there. Three wonderful winter days in Paris during which the sun never left our side. By now, I have experienced the city in all four seasons, and I can …
Weekly blog #115: Rome or Paris, which city beats the other? Read More »
Last Thursday, it was the sixth of January, a day we know as the day of the Three Wise Men. For Italian children, it’s a joyous day because La Befana comes along, the kindhearted witch on a broomstick who, on that dark and cold January night, pays a visit to the houses of all Italian children and fills their stockings – hung by the fireplace – with sweets. Well, if you …
Weekly blog #114: Fare il ponte, what is it and how do Italians do it? Read More »
Happy New Year! Buon anno nuovo! Three hundred and sixty-five days, the first of which are already completed. Three hundred and sixty-five pages, the first of which have already been written. Three hundred and sixty-five sunrises, of which I’ve missed the very first as we were still dancing to the sounds of Italian classics such as …
Weekblog #113: A brand-new year, a brand-new adventure Read More »
Christmas is over already, and I truly hope you had a wonderful time. No matter where, how and with whom you have celebrated it, I especially hope that you have felt grateful, free and happy. That you were able to count all of your blessings, realising that the silver lining is always there, no matter …
Only a couple of days left to Christmas Eve, and after a few last, sun-drenched days in Rome, the city being completely indulged in the Christmas atmosphere, I got on a plane last Wednesday. Off to the Netherlands to spend the holidays with family and friends, as I always do. With an Italian panettone in my suitcase, …
Weekblog #111: Christmas, a train ride and cultural differences Read More »
When you think of the ultimate winter destination to get yourself into the Christmas spirit, you might not immediately think of Rome. As a teenager, of course heavily influenced by the film “The Holiday”, I always dreamt of spending Christmas in London or some other English city. A good friend of mine even moved heaven …
That Italy would enrich my taste buds, teach me to be even more expressive and bless me with endless fashion inspiration, were things I knew even before moving to Rome. No doubt you have experienced this yourself: even a short holiday abroad has this effect. Every single country and all of their cultures broaden your …
Weekblog #105: In Italy, it’s written in the stars Read More »