by Dianne Hales | May 18, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, culture, Italian, Italian opera, Italy, Language, learning Italian, Music, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
La Scala recently re-opened after months of silence imposed by Covid-19 restrictions. The news made my heart sing—and brought back the memory of my first night at this iconic concert hall. Years ago, when my research for LA BELLA LINGUA led me to Milan, I eagerly...
by Dianne Hales | May 19, 2020 | amore, art history, Books, books on Italy, culture, Current Affairs, Florence, food, Food and Drink, history, Italian language, Italy, Language, Leonardo da Vinci, literature, love in Italy, Music, Renaissance, Romance, Sayings and expressions, Travel, Tuscany, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
Not even a global pandemic can stop people from doing what they love. Over the last few months, we’ve seen dancers dance; singers sing; actors perform—wherever and whenever they could. The same is true of writers. While sheltering at home in California, I...
by Dianne Hales | Aug 6, 2019 | Books, books on Italy, culture, Film, history, Italy, Language, Music, Romance, Rome, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Who doesn’t love Audrey Hepburn? I certainly do—and I was tickled that Olivia Páez included LA PASSIONE in her bookriot.com blog on books for fans of Audrey Hepburn. Here is an excerpt on books that remind her of my personal Audrey Hepburn favorite, Roman Holiday:...
by Dianne Hales | Jun 3, 2019 | art, Books, books on Italy, culture, Food and Drink, history, Italy, Language, Music, Rome, Travel, Tuscany, Uncategorized, Venice, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
Imagine a world without Italy: Painting without Leonardo. Sculpture without Michelangelo. Literature without Dante. No Verdi choruses or Puccini arias. No Fellini films or Ferrari roar. Heavens uncharted, vines unplanted, tables bereft of pasta, pizza, and a Sicilian...
by Dianne Hales | Apr 25, 2019 | art, Books, books on Italy, culture, Film, Florence, Food and Drink, history, Italy, Language, Music, Naples, Religion, Romance, Rome, Travel, Venice, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Whether you’re a parent or an author, your first born always remains close to your heart. This month marks a landmark birthday for my first book on Italy and its culture: LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language. My...
by Dianne Hales | Apr 16, 2019 | Books, books on Italy, culture, Fashion, Film, Florence, history, Italy, Language, Music, Naples, Religion, Romance, Sicily, Travel, Uncategorized, Venice, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
I am thrilled to announce the publication of my book: LA PASSIONE: How Italy Seduced the World. Like any author, I’m eager for people to read my book. But with more than 8 million titles on Amazon alone, why choose mine? Let me offer seven reasons, based on my...