by Dianne Hales | Nov 5, 2019 | Books, books on Italy, culture, Food and Drink, history, Italy, Language, Travel, Tuscany, Umbria, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
The warm days of early November –- known as Indian summer in the United States –- are called “l’estate di San Martino” (the summer of St. Martin) in Italy. Wine producers celebrate the saint’s feast on November 11 by uncorking the vino novello (new wine) from...
by Dianne Hales | Jul 2, 2019 | Books, books on Italy, Food and Drink, history, Italy, Language, Travel, Umbria, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
My husband and I own a vine in Umbria. Not a vineyard, but a single vine (row 11, number 18), in Vigna Lorenzo at Monte Vibiano Vecchio. Since centuries before the birth of Christ, grapes have grown in this field, sheltered from harsh winds, its soil rich and its air...
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 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...
by Dianne Hales | Mar 9, 2019 | art, Books, culture, Education, Fashion, Film, Florence, Food and Drink, history, Italy, Language, Music, Religion, Romance, Rome, Travel, 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 DHales | Aug 29, 2018 | Books, culture, Education, Florence, Food and Drink, history, Italy, Language, Rome, Travel, Venice, Web/Tech, Weblogs, wine
Since La Bella Lingua was published almost a decade ago, people have often asked me what drew me to Italy. Over the years, I've realized that what intrigued and enthralled me most wasn't its language, food or art—as marvelous as each is—but la passione...
