Italian Clubs, Events, Lifestyle; Travel Italy

For those who have never visited Italy and that don’t plan for now a vacation there, a package including a few days in an art city — e.g. a city break in Rome, could be an option to have a first taste of Italy.
Better, if the package is a last minute one, enabling you to save up on flight and hotel.

As a first time visitor, you could waste time in arranging visits to the most relevant sites to see. And with a short stay, you could not afford to waste time.
Better if you opt for mini tours of the city taking you in the top sites and showing you the most important things to see.

Our suggestions for a week-end — or for a stay bit longer, in Rome, would include very classical itineraries. A couple of ideas.

First, a tour of Imperial Rome, including Roman Forum, Colosseum, St Paul’s Basilica.
Starting from Piazza Venezia, continuing on foot to the famous Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo, from where you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum, continuing to view the Circus Maximus and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius before arriving at the Basilica of St Paul, the largest patriarchal basilica in Rome after St. Peter’s.
Price from USD 35.36. See details of
Imperial Rome - Roman Forum, Colosseum, St Paul’s Basilica

Another idea is a sightseeing cruise on the Tiber river.
The Tiber river will take you into the heart of the city.
Leaving from Ponte Sant’Angelo dock, sail towards Tiber Island then back up to Ponte Risorgimento before returning to Sant’Angelo dock.
Price of this cruise starts from USD 10.41. See details of
Rome Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise on the Tiber River

And for last minute packages including flight, hotel, taxes and fees, New York - Rome, starting from USD 1,000 , click here.

After celebrating Ferragosto 2006 — a Italian street festival held in Salt Lake City on August 19, the Italian Center of the West, which sponsored the event, sent us some of photos of the celebrations.

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A very simple Italian recipe? The Caprese, which may also be the quickest. It is a starter, easy to prepare even for the most cooking illiterates.

Ingredients (servings 4):
- mozzarella cheese 500 gr.
- tomatoes 400 gr.
- 4 tablespoons of Extra virgin olive oil
- a few leaves of Basil
- salt and pepper

- Preparation -  
After slicing tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese, arrange the slices of tomatoes and alternate them with the Mozzarella slices.
Take a few leaves of Basil, break it into pieces and sprinkle them over the dish.
Add extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper according to your taste.

It’s done. Less than 10 minutes. Do you know something of easier?
Ando it’s also so Italian, with its ingredients, colors….
It’s a very familiar dish among the Italian males who live single and have no expertise in cooking.

On August 19 kicked off Festa Italiana 2006 in Portland,Oregon, a Italian festival which runs through August 27.
Festa Italiana celebrates Italian culture and heritage of Italian-Americans in the Portland metropolitan area.

Local Italian-American organizations have united their efforts to produce this unique event with a special invitation to friends of Italy of the local community to share in this celebration.

There is no admission charge to any event of Festa Italiana 2006. Among the events included, also a Bocce Tournament, held at an Italian-owned Vineyards.
The Festa Italiana program also features a cooking demonstration in downtown Portland and “Celebration of Italian Heritage” to include lectures, Italian readings, piano and musical interludes and Italian art displays.

Providing Italian food at modest prices are several fine Portland Italian restaurants along with a wine garden featuring Italian wines.
 For For more info festa-italiana.org