Digital Diary - Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy - 7 Days, 7 Artists, 7 Videos...

I was contacted by one of the producers of the Digital Diary series when they first produced the first video in Basilica, since then they've produced a newer one in Friuli Venezia Giulia - it's by far one of the most interesting takes on showcasing Italy and it's amazing regions. They have 7 artists, (producers & camera people) travel within 7 days of their designated project and shoot their 7 videos, which then becomes the digital diary masterpiece. Here's a bit of their explanation on what they do:

'7 Artists. 7 Days. 7 Videos.
We’ve imported some of the most creative minds around to work on our Digital Diary of Italy. We’ve got young photographers, video makers, animators on the project to give us their impression of Italy.
Totally subjective. Undemocratic. Creative."

Learn more here: http://www.cantforget.it/artists

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Digital Diary of Basilicata : A Video Masterpiece of Italy

This is by far one of the most beautifully shot videos I've seen of Italy. 7 artists, 7 days travel in Basilicata, Italy - capturing the most captivating images ever. The project is called, http://www.cantforget.it/people/get-involved -

To learn more about this project visit the site: you can get involved. Tweet

Photo Of The Day: Italian American Girl in Venice

A picture is worth a thousand words.... image yourself right in this picture, looking down this canal toward the next bridge... its absolutely breathtaking. Enjoy.

(This photo is property of Italian American Girl/ItalianAmericanGirl.com 2011 Copyright - You must ask permission to reuse.)

Venice, Italy

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Raising Second Generation Italian American Children in the USA

A guest post this week from Italian American Girl's sister, Maria.....

As a first generation Italian American raising my children I feel so honored to share so many special traditions and cultural knowledge with them. Growing up in a first generation household I learned the importance of art, history, cooking, traveling and most importantly- family. As I became a mother myself it never was a question of passing on all the beautiful and intense things I learned growing up.

I spoke Italian with both my children from birth instilling the gift of a second language and the flexibility to learn more than one language by the age of two. My children travel yearly to spend their summer on the breathtaking southern Italian beaches of the Mediterranean, indulging in the local cuisine, life style and building life-long relationships with all my relatives. The beauty is that it is all very normal to them to see a diverse lifestyle than here in the states and become educated on the vast culture Italians have shared with the world.

Cooking is an integral part of my children being raised Italian American, we follow traditions year round and indigenous recipes and tastes are always on our menu, not to mention the luxury of home-made, healthy foods, which are delicious! The kitchen is our meeting place and all family meetings are conducted around the table, not to mention my children appreciate wonderful baked goods we make regularly to pair up with our “coffee,’ which is a staple in our home.

My children are exposed to organic gardening by my father daily and appreciate the love and dedication it takes to nurture a delicious fruit or vegetable, they share the experience of loving the earth and nature with their Nonno and Nonna.

But for us the most important part is family, we support each other through thick and thin, we eat together, we cry together, we laugh and love together. We never think twice to help each other out if one of us needs a hand, my children are taught to share and give love unconditionally, which comes naturally because we lead by example showering them with love and support.

I am so proud to share all these wonderful things with my children and know that it will have a positive impact on how they interact in the world as adults.

-Maria

**Photo- Copyright 2011 Italian American Girl - you must ask permission to use any and all photos on ItalianAmericanGirl.com - Grazie

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Traveling to Europe? Clark Howard's "Living Large In Lean Times" - Get Insider Secrets: Traveling On A Budget

Traveling can be tough especially when you don't know what to do or how to do it. If you're traveling to Europe or even domestically: I have just the book for you that can give you insider tips on how to book: airline tickets, car rentals, hotels and travel cell phones.

My good friend and a fellow Greek American, Theo Thimou who co-authored this book with Clark Howard brought this extremely informative book to my attention. On the Italian American Girl site we are usually talking about Italy or travel to and from, so when I received this book- I was delighted to read a great chapter just on travel. In these economic times, every penny counts. So, if you're finally taking a trip of a lifetime and need information that could possibly save you some money, this is the book.

If you know Clark Howard, you know he's the money guru and has been on many television shows as a guest or host talking about finances and giving the most sound advice on how to get the most for your money.

This book covers a variety of financial topics but of course we know travel is very important to the IAG audience, so let me share with you.

Here are some topics covered on travel in the book:

• Check message boards before you bid on Priceline or Hotwire
• Find cheap vacation rentals by owners
• Use social media to resolve hotel issues
• Use hard discounter airlines to travel around Europe
• Ditch the frequent-flyer miles credit card

These topics/tips are just a taste of what you can find out on travel. A great book not just for travel, but for your overall financial health.

I read the entire book and will implement many points Clark Howard advises when it comes to finances. Now a days, all the help you can get is very welcomed. I highly recommend this book.

To purchase this book:

http://www.clarkhoward.com/book-countdown/

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Like it or Not- "Jersey Shore" Cast Is In Italy Filming Another Season

The cast of "Jersey Shore" is officially now in Italy. Like it or not, they have an Italian following. What Italian Americans think is so horrifying, Italians are seeing Americans who happen to have an Italian background. So, it asks the bigger question... how bad is this really?

I'm telling you right now, Italians will not see this in the same negative light as many Italian Americans here who feel they're being portrayed by a bunch of degenerates. Instead, the Italians will view them as Americans and if you've been to Italy, you know that Italians love Americans. Most of them anyway. They love everything about America, which includes mainstream television and shows that are broadcast on MTV.

I mentioned in a previous post about this, that I don't think this show is about being Italian American, its more about an American culture or actually a tri-state culture. The guido culture is a real thing in New Jersey, so for those people who are in denial about it, its time to accept it because its now on television. Granted, we have to maintain some kind of boundary on the language and references to Italian Americans, because not all American sub-cultures are the same or the people within them.

Here is a recent article in People magazine with the recent pictures of the cast in Italy upon arrival. Should be interesting to see how this pans out and which Italian American organizations raise hell about it.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20489684,00.html

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Cast of Jersey Shore Heading to Italy..???

I put a place holder on this conversation.......

I will reveal my thoughts on this topic shortly..... in the mean time.. what do you think?

Great conversations on Facebook: Come join us there and add your two cents... or more

http://www.facebook.com/ItalianAmericanGrl

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Rick Steves' European Christmas: Italy

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3 places in Italy you've never heard of !

Of course, casual tourists or frequent fliers will advise you to visit Florence in Tuscany, Ravello in Amalfi and of course, Rome. However, it’s unlikely any of them will have you whip out your passport for Sarteano, Nerano or Praiano and all of these gems are worthy of any travel through Italy.

1. Sarteano – is a small comune in the Tuscan Hills just outside Radicofani, situated in the province of Siena. There are numerous agritourismos in the area, affording the tourist a true Italian experience with Nonna’s cooking in the kitchen. The picturesque villages of Cortona, Montepulciano and Montalcino are all within a short car ride and the nearby train station in Chiusi provides alternate transportation for day trips to Siena and Florence.

The area is rich in Etrusan archaeology, much of which has now been relocated to The Archaeological Civic Museum of Sarteano. By the way, the Museo is housed in a 16th century palazzo. Yes, there is a lot of history in this one small village.

For those seeking a spa break, the mineral waters which flow through this area have been soothing the tired muscles of weary travelers for centuries and there are several spas nearby, including several in San Casciano dei Bagni, such as Fonte Verde, which offers outdoor thermal, mineral-enriched pools.

2. Nerano – is a tiny fishing village in Massa Lubrense, located between Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. It derives its name from the Emperor Tiberio Nerone, who would spend his summers on the nearby island of Capri.

It is accessible by climbing or driving through the hills of olive groves and a car does make your journey easier, although travelers may catch a local Sita bus from any of the major destinations such as Sorrento, Sant’Agnello or Meta. The beach in Marina del Cantone is lovely and picturesque but quite rocky. Don’t expect to find the white sand beaches of the eastern shores of the United States. Without a sunchair in Nerano, your day will be a lumpy one, for sure.

3. Praiano – is also a small fishing village along the Amalfi Coast. It is so small that cars drive on the sidewalks because people walk in the streets. It is situated between Positano and Amalfi.

Believe it or not, as small as Praiano is, there is a disco quite popular during the summer, L’Africana, along with the typical tourist sites of the Church of St. Gennaro on the sea and the Green Grotto, the poor step-child to the area’s more popular Blue Grotto on Capri.

There are numerous bed and breakfasts, as well as larger hotels, in the area and a handful of restaurants along the rocky beach, with one of the best being Trattoria Armandino.

Italy is a treasure trove of history, archaeology and seaside splendor for dreamy tourists who don’t mind wandering off the beaten path.

Lisa Fantino is an award-winning journalist and attorney and the creative force behind Wanderlust Women Travel™ and Wanderlust Weddings™. She also writes travel features for MNUI Travel Insurance and blogs as Lady Litigator™.

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Rick Steves : Travels To Milan and Lake Como

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Travel to Sorrento, Italy -- Advice From A Travel Expert.

Sorrento is a magical place no matter what time of year you visit but it’s especially wonderful in the spring. It’s when this small city along the Amalfi Coast literally springs to life with vibrant bursts of color from wisteria vines to walls of fresh jasmine. There is color everywhere you turn and the scent of jasmine mixes with orange and lemon blossoms…….you know you’re in paradise.

Getting to Sorrento from the U.S. is a bit of a trek. Most travelers choose to fly to Rome and then either drive or take a train down to Sorrento. A company called
Meridiana or Eurofly flies direct from New York to Naples between June and September but they have a limited schedule. The best bet is to fly into Rome and then rent a car for the drive down. Renting an automatic car can be expensive in Italy and hard to find but I have been using Auto Europe for years and they are reliable and affordable. Also, once you arrive in Sorrento, you can park the car and forget about it because everything is within walking distance or reachable by ferry or train.

The Sorrentine Peninsula offers so much to see and do that it would be impossible to list it all in such a brief space so I have highlighted some of the best I have come across in my frequent travels to this Eden on Earth:

Best 4-star hotel

: Hotel Antiche Mura - just feet from the main square (Piazza Tasso) and staffed by the wonderful Savarese family who cannot do enough for their guests. While they do not offer lunch or dinner in their restaurant, the breakfast buffet is one of the best.

Best spa

: Spa La Serra at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. Spa treatments or a vacation must-do for me and the therapists at La Serra are some of the most gifted anywhere.

Best spot for people watching

: Fauno Bar sits smack dab in the middle of Piazza Tasso. You can sit here and watch the world go by with a morning cappuccino or an afternoon glass of wine.

Finally, for those who may be worried about getting around in this foreign city, fear not, almost everyone in Sorrento is fluent in English and those who aren’t fake it really well! Buon Viaggio!


Lisa Fantino is an award-winning journalist and attorney and the creative force behind
Wanderlust Women Travel.

Photos/Copyright- Courtesy of Wanderlust Women Travel Tweet

BERTOLLI Presenting "Into the Heart of Italy" A Unique Webseries Featuring Italian American Celebrities, Rocco DiSpirito, Marisa Tomei, & Dan Cortese.

Bertolli Frozen Meals is getting ready to launch a new series of webisodes titled “Into the Heart of Italy: Six Adventures, Three Celebrities, One Mission… To Unlock the Secrets of Italian Passion for Food and Life.”

This one-of-a-kind online series will feature celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito and actors Marisa Tomei and Dan Cortese as they explore the food and culture of Italy.

A trailer for “Into the Heart of Italy” will premiere during Desperate Housewives at 9/8 CST.

I’ll be tweeting tonight for @Bertolli’s Taste & Tweet. I received a wine aerator & a gift card to cover the purchase of one of their meals. Join Me Tonight on TWITTER for the Taste & Tweet which includes a VIP giveaway to win one of three local cheese making classes up to a $150 value!

Every Tweet using #BertolliItaly between Sunday, March 14 from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM EST Monday, March 15, will be entered to win the prize, which will be selected by a random drawing Monday. A link to the rules and regulations will be tweeted from @Bertolli at the start of the Taste & Tweet or can be found on the Bertolli Facebook page.

Join me on Twitter: @italianamergirl

www.IntotheHeartofItaly.com Tweet

Italian American Girl Featured On About.com 's Italy Travel Guide

Check out our latest featured entry in today's About.com for Italy's Travel Guide written by Martha Bakerjian. The entry features different questions about why I created and wrote my blog --ItalianAmericangirl.com and what its all about. I give advice on traveling to Italy and specifially to the region of Reggio Calabria. Take a look.

http://bit.ly/cDQcPl

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How Following Top Travel Tweeters Can Land You The Best Travel Deals To & In Italy....

If you haven't heard about Twitter then you have to get on the boat and sign up! Twitter is a social media networking site that allows you to join in active and instant conversation.

If you're looking for information on travel, then all you have to do is search for travel Tweeters. I've been on Twitter for almost a year now http://twitter.com/ItalianAmerGirl) and if there is any information that I want to know or find out regarding travel I just check my Tweetboard and catch up on the latest and greatest deals available to Italy.

Now, I talk about Italy because that's our niche, but you can also find top travel advice and suggestions by some of the best travel experts to other parts of the world. Not only are you getting up to date airfare sales information but you can also find comparison price information, reward program updates, flight information if you're traveling, hotel accomodation pricing, villa availability, the list is endless.

Here is a list of Top Travel Tweeters that provide endless resourceful information on Italy. Sign up and start following them, you can only benefit from their Tweets.

@Italylogue

@Mymelange

@ItalyTravelista

@Florence_Hotels

@WhyGoFrance

@FlyFromNYC

@FlyFromEWR

@Continental

@IsabellesTravel

@TravelWithJulie

@ItalyItalia

@Travellitup

@HowToTourItaly

@FlipFlorence

@FrommersTravel

@Vacationinfo

@TuscanyTraveler

@Vecchiacasa

@WheninRomeTours

@Tripbase

@CGTravels

@TravelEditor

@TravelingAnna

@JCreatureTravel

@ARoadRetraveled

@Italyarttravel

@italyfrominside

@selectitaly

@Vespadiaries

@smittytabb

@travelwriticus

@tuscanytourism

@arttrav

@contexttravel

@romebuongiorno

@journeywoman

@labellacitta

@italytravel

@bellavitaitalia

@driveamalfi

@ciaolaura

@agriverdita

@umbrialovers

@tuscanray

@divinacucina

@dreamofitaly

@mypaesano

@castle_cottages

@robertak
@suditalia

@italofileblog

@italiannotes

@brigolante

@casinadirosa

@cookincalabria

@napoliunplugged

@enitnewyork

@italianescapes

@monicacesarto

@wanderlustwoman

@LifeinSicily

@theTuscan

@TuscanUmbria

@OneStopItaly

Also if I've missed any other "Travel" tweeters who specialize in Italy, send me an email...I will add you. Italians support each other, or at least I try. ....

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter-- @italianamergirl

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Rick Steves: Naples, Italy-- Street Life & Vesuvius.

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Rick Steves: Capri, Italy: Isle of Hidden Delights.

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Rick Steves In Tuscany, Italy: The First Tuscans.

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ItalyItalia.com Launches New Travel Site With Insider Travel Guides To The Best Areas In Italy.

ItalyItalia.com is a fast growing Italian travel portal who offers the possibility to deepen your knowledge on Italy. Every region has a section filled with articles and travel guides, with the purpose to inform and help our visitors to organize the perfect vacation. Let’s say that you are going to Sicily this summer and you want to learn more about the island. What do you do? You go to our Sicily section and there you will find travel guides and articles on Taormina, Palermo, Cefalù, the Aeolian Islands, Sicily’s fascinating history and much more.

In addition to reading and insights, Italyitalia.com suggests a careful selection of hotels, with the possibility to book directly online in a fast and easy way. We are currently concentrated in the Southern Italy.

Italyitalia.com’s main goal is to provide you the tools to create an unforgettable vacation in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. One cannot help but fall in love with the amazing history of Rome, the magnificent spas on the island of Ischia or the art history in Florence. Who hasn’t dreamed of going gondola in Venice or sit on a terrace in Amalfi and drink a glass of Limoncello? Our staff of Italian and foreign journalists has undertaken to update the contents of the portal to provide an information service that is always varied and to help you fulfill your dreams.

Visit ItalyItalia.com for the latest and up to date information on travel to and within Italy. Tweet

Rick Steves in Pompeii, Italy: Window on Ancient Rome

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Rick Steves Travels To Cinque Terre, Italy: Hiking in Corniglia

One of my favorite shows on public television is hosted by travel expert Rick Steves. In this episode you can see Rick travel to one of Italy's most amazing regions: Cinque Terre. The more I watch these segments, the more I realize I need to be in Italy. Enjoy and thank you Rick Steves for always doing such a fantastic job of showcasing the best of Europe.

Visit: http://www.ricksteves.com/

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