by Dianne Hales | Sep 22, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, coronavirus, history, Italian language, Italy, literature, Renaissance, Roman history, Rome, Travel, Venice, Web/Tech, Weblogs, women, worldwarII
This year, for the first time in decades, I didn’t go to Italy. But Italy came to me–in the form of wonderful books and programs inspired by a passion for Italy. I was happy to feature them in my summer blogs. The harvest season seems a perfect time to share a...
by Dianne Hales | Jun 9, 2020 | art, art history, Books, books on Italy, coronavirus, culture, Italian language, Italy, Language, Leonardo da Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, Renaissance, Travel, Tuscany, Web/Tech, Weblogs, women
Leonardo’s muse, Mona (Madame) Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, was born 541 years ago on June 15, 1479. Few art works have experienced more adventures—and misadventures—in and out of the frame. The Florentine matron has shed her stately robes and appeared in...
by Dianne Hales | May 26, 2020 | amore, art, art history, Books, books on Italy, coronavirus, history, Italian language, Italy, Language, Leonardo da Vinci, literature, love in Italy, Romance, Sayings and expressions, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
Cari amici, In a world turned upside down, we know that we can’t return to what was, yet we have no idea what will be. Although much has changed, one thing hasn’t: our love for Italy. Over the past few months, we’ve wept for the lives lost. We’ve worried about friends...
by Dianne Hales | May 12, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, coronavirus, culture, Florence, Health, history, Italian language, Italy, Language, literature, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
The ruthless killer climbed walls, crossed moats, slipped through walls. So swiftly and fiercely did the disease strike that robust young men and women breakfasted with their parents in the morning and dined with their ancestors in the afterlife by night fall....
by Dianne Hales | Apr 28, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, coronavirus, culture, Health, Italian language, Italy, Language, Sayings and expressions, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
A guest post by Valeria Biancalani At the forefront of everyone’s mind at the moment is the coronavirus, which has caused a devastating pandemic throughout the world. Over the past few months, it has become the main topic of conversation for most people in most...
by Dianne Hales | Mar 24, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, coronavirus, culture, Current Affairs, Health, history, Italy, Language, Rome, San Francisco, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
These touching excerpts from my friend Sheila Pierce’s blog posts testify to the deep bond between Italy and the United States–especially the city named for St. Francis. by Sheila Pierce On the first morning of the coronavirus lockdown, San Francisco Bay...
