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Stunning scenery, stunning culture - Italy. |
My husband Mike and I feel like we should have been born in Italy. We love Italian culture - no, it's more than that. We're lucky enough to live here and experience it every day - so it's in our hearts and our souls. It's our passion.
Is it yours? If it is, then like us you will simply love everything to do with Italy. Or Italian culture may mean more than that to you - it may run deep inside you - your heritage, your family roots.
Finding your inner Italian!
Fact. Everyone has an inner Italian. How can you recognise yours?Have you ever wanted to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain (over your left shoulder, naturally), or whirl pizza dough round your head, or learn to speak with your hands, or drink the frothiest cappuccino in the world, or take part in a local village festival where the main star is an ox? - That's your innner Italian!
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The star of our local village 'festa' - isn't he the most stunningly gorgeous ox in the world? |
And if you can recognise her we know you'll love this site.
Why? Because it's made with you in mind!
Loving Italian culture - what are your dreams about Italy?
Perhaps you have relatives who originally came from Italy and you'd like to know more about the culture of their home country. They're your very own family roots, after all. |
The heritage of our home - its original occupants. |
It's not easy to do that from books because they're quite often inaccurate and out of date. But on this site we're regularly updating and adding to information - and even better, you can get in touch with us and tell us exactly what you'd like to know. We'd love to hear from you.
Maybe you'd like to add some Italian culture into your own life.
We do that as often as we can - in our wedding, our Christmases, our eating habits - you name it! It's easy for us because we live in Italy and we have friends here to show us how. So now we'd like to make it easy for you, too. |
We love Italian wedding traditions. This is our friend Franco's daughter's wedding. |
We'll give you fun, interesting facts about Italy and its traditions - and tips for how to make them part of your life - sprinkled all through these pages.
Or perhaps you're planning a trip and you'd like some advice about the best places to visit in Italy?
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The beautiful coast of Le Marche, Italy. |
City, country, lakes, mountains, beach - we love them all because they each have their unique attractions. We spend part of every year travelling to different parts of this amazing country - and we do it with our dog, so we can help if you want to take your pets on holiday, too.
Cooking the Italian way!
What if you can't visit?No problem - create a taste of Italy wherever you live!
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There's nothing quite like a meal with Italian friends! |
Italian culture would be nothing without its food, so apart from enjoying our stories and our pics, try out some of our authentic cooking recipes (have a look at the dessert recipes - they're to die for!). They've been handed down to us by our friends in Italy. No frozen pizzas here!
And best of all, they're quick and easy to make!
And dream! You may not be able to visit now but in a year or two's time - who knows? So be prepared - start to learn some basic Italian words and phrases.
Why?
Learn the Italian language.
"I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men, and German to my horse" (Charles V). |
Not Charles V but our friend Franco. We learned Italian by speaking it - now we show you how. |
Because Italiano is the most romantic language in the world. Because when you do visit, everyone will be delighted that you know some basics.
And because we can show you how we did it. Bit by bit - "piano a piano", using different methods to suit your different learning styles.
Who am I to talk to you about Italian culture?
This is me - Cath Andrews - with my husband Mike on the day we were married - in Rome! |
The wedding pic we love best - at the Trevi Fountain, Rome. |
You can read more on our 'about us' page.
And this is our home, 'Casa Benessere' or 'House of Wellbeing'. It's in a tiny little village in the heart of a not-very-well-known-region called Le Marche - one of the loveliest (and healthiest) places to visit in Italy.
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Our house in Italy. picture by kind permission of Phil Clements. |
You can read all about our daily life on our 'Casa Benessere' Facebook page.
So, we're lucky because we're living Italian culture - our dream - and have been for some years now. Through this website we would like to share that dream, and our passion for Italy, with you.
We would like to do whatever we can to help you explore your inner Italian - and to make all your Italian dreams come true.
So, come on in. Pour yourself a nice glass of cold 'vino bianco' - white wine - or a cup of hot black 'espresso'. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.
"Piacere" - we're pleased to meet you!
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Where would you like to go now?
Here are some places we think you'll enjoy - just click on the buttons to start.
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| Mardi Gras celebrations in Italy. Italian Mardi Gras celebrations : the traditions of Mardi Gras in Italy - what they are and where to find them. |
| Valentine's day facts : Italian culture, traditions and the 'Day of Lovers'. Valentine's day history has been an important part of the developing culture of Italy. Learn about Valentine's day facts, traditions and unique events to celebrate your love in Italy. |
| The Italian Sofa : our free e mail newsletter specially for you! Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, The Italian Sofa, full of ideas, tips, news and pics from our home in Italy. |
| Rome sightseeing : free ebook pdf download. You want to go Rome sightseeing but aren’t sure where to start? Most Italian vacation packages recommend the well-known sites. Download our free e-book for tips about Rome’s five best kept secrets! |
| 21 free ebooks for download - right here, right now! We are giving away no less than twenty-one free ebooks for download. From travel tips to childcare and so much more. Download your free pdf ebooks here! |
| Here's how to get in touch with us. Here's how to get in touch with Cath and Mike Andrews. |
| Take a fun quiz about ancient Roman culture! Does Italian history seem dry and uninteresting to you? Take a fun quiz about Italy's ancient history and discover how much fun it can be! |
| Fun, interesting facts about Italy you never knew you needed to know! From where the Pope lives in summer to what the President thinks of the National Anthem to what currency Italian people use - we cover a range of fun, interesting facts about Italy you'll love! |
| Learn the Italian language in whichever style suits you! Learn Italian : language resources on- and offline, and some basic phrases for you to learn. |
| Ancient Roman Culture fun facts - where Italian culture and traditions began. Need to know about ancient Roman culture for a project? Trying to enthuse your kids about Italy's history? Wondering where Italian customs came from? Have fun as we tell all! |
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| Things to do in Rome: learn about Rome's attractions before you travel. Everything you need to know about things to do in Rome, Italy : where to shop, attractions and culture. |
| Rome for kids : activities in Rome for toddlers to teens. Attractions in Rome for adults are easy to find but Rome for kids can be more difficult. Here are some practical and some unusual things to do in Rome to occupy youngsters. |
| Accommodation in Rome, Italy : our personal in-depth hotel reviews. Deciding where to stay in Rome is hard: accommodation in Rome (Italy) is so plentiful. Here are our personal reviews of the best places to stay n Rome, including the friendliest hotels for kids. |
| The weather in Rome, Italy : learn about Rome's climate before you go! Details of the seasonal weather in Rome, Italy, an Italian weather tool to show you what the forecast is today and for the next few days, and ideas on how to keep cool in the heat. |
| Rome’s Lent Calendar : where to find Lenten prayers in the weeks before Easter. Looking for things to do in Rome during Lent? We provide a full Lent calendar from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. |
| Lent fasting in Italy : the rules explained. You may want to know something about Lent fasting if you’re in Italy in the weeks before Easter. We look at the rules, and the everyday Italian recipes you’ll still be able to eat. |
| A Venetian gondola ride : what it is and where to find it. Always wanted to be serenaded on your own private Italian gondola? Here’s where to find the best Venetian gondola ride ever - one of the most romantic things to do in Venice. |
| The Italian gondola driver, or gondolier. We look at what the Italian gondola driver does and whether tourists are safe in their hands. |
| An exclusive café in Venice : the Caffè Florian The best café in Venice to sit and watch Italian people, culture and the Venetian world go by. |
| Hotel Danieli, Venice, Italy : a review of Venice's premier hotel. The hotel Danieli, Venice, Italy - Honeymoon? Anniversary? Or just a special treat? Any occasion will be made unforgettable with a stay in this luxury accommodation in Italy. |
| Cheap hotels in Venice, Italy : a review of the Hotel Marco Polo. Good quality cheap hotels in Venice (Italy) are hard to find. We review one of the best cheap hotels in Italy - ideal if you're travelling to Italy on a budget. |
| Map of Venice, Italy : we review the best. Venice is a beautiful city, but can be a maze if you don’t know where you’re going. We review the best to make sure you find the most suitable map of Venice, Italy for you. |
| Current weather in Venice, Italy and a six day forecast. Need to see the current weather in Venice, Italy? Use our free tool to plan your vacation. |
| Venice, Italy weather : the climate in spring. The climate in Venice, Italy : weather in springtime and things to do when it starts to warm up. |
| The weather in Venice Italy in the summer months. We look at the summer weather in Venice Italy : the climate during June, July and August and the best things to do in Venice in the heat. |
| Free San Marino map for you to download! Struggling to find a good map of San Marino's historic centre? Here is a detailed San Marino map (pdf version) for you to download now! |
| Can an Italian Spinone tweet?? Our Spinone can! Have a look at her Tweets and add your own comments - whether you're an Italian Spinone owner or not! |
| The Spinone Italiano : all you need to know. The Italian Spinone or Spinone Italiano : all the information you need to help you decide if this is the dog for you! |
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| Animal fact file : a guide to the culture and care of animals in Italy. This animal fact file helps choose and care for Italian animals, explains how to get them to Italy, recommends hotels and pet friendly places to visit and gives some strange animal facts for kids. |
| Italian Mothers Day : when it is and ideas to celebrate the 'festa della mamma'. Wherever in the world they may be, Italian mothers are the focus of family traditions. Here's how to celebrate your Italian 'mamma', with some poems for Mother's Day that you can make your own! |
| Mother’s Day recipes : a very Italian way of spoiling your ‘mamma’. Looking for special gifts for your mother on her special day? Do what the Italians do - make one of her favourite Mother’s Day recipes instead! |
| Italian culture and customs at Easter : your guide to Easter in Italy. Easter in Italy is one of the best times to visit. Here we look at Italian culture, customs, traditions and sayings and offer you some delicious Easter recipes from Italy. |
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| Authentic Christmas nativity sets from Italy to brighten your festive décor. Italian Christmas nativity sets are one of the most popular holiday traditions from Italy. We have a whole range of Fontanini nativities, from the large outside displays to small snow-globes. |
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| Italian Christmas decorations - we review the best! It's never too early to buy your Italian Christmas decorations! |
| Italian Christmas music : festive songs with a feel of Italy. Want some Italian Christmas music to enjoy while you decorate your home? - Keep these for yourself or use them as imaginative stocking stuffers. |
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| Delicious, simple Italian bread recipes. Our best Italian bread recipes for you from our kitchen in Le Marche : savoury, sweet, machine or hand made - we have the perfect recipe for you. |
| Italian pizza recipes - easy to make, delicious to eat! Authentic Italian pizza recipes you can make in no time! Delicious and nutritious - a treat for your whole family. |
| Pizza fondue - the new way to party! We review the best electric pizza oven. Have a pizza fondue party - good food, good company and lots of talk - truly an Italian ideal! This inexpensive portable brick pizza oven will make you the envy of your friends. |
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| The Presto Pizzazz pizza oven : the best of the electric bunch? We review the Presto Pizzazz pizza oven (model 03430) : what it is, how it works, who's it best for, pros and cons and does it cook pizzas as well as a wood burning oven? |
| Italian pasta recipes : from how to make pasta to delicious meals. Quick and easy Italian pasta recipes. Each authentic recipe has been handed down from friends in Italy and tried and tested by us! |
| Italian pasta recipes : a review of the best cook books. Looking for great Italian pasta recipes? We review the best authentic recipe books available. |
| Best Italian salad recipe - pick yours here! Each Italian salad recipe has been handed down from friends in Italy and tried and tested by us. Combine it with one of our delicious salad dressings for a fresh and healthy meal. |
| Italian dessert recipes to make your mouth water! Italian desserts are rich, creamy and absolutely not low fat! These Italian dessert recipes are simple to make yet look amazing. Impress with these and our other tasty authentic recipes. |
| Baked Italian cheesecake : an authentic recipe from Sicily. Always wanted to know how to make a real Italian cheesecake? Here's our quick and easy recipe. |
| Cold picnic food recipes from Italy : tasty Easter food to take away. 'Torta di Riso' is one of Italy's favourite cold picnic food recipes and a big part of Easter Italian food customs. Use it any time as Italian finger food to eat at home or away. |
| A delicious, easy Tiramisu recipe - with a difference! Looking for authentic Italian Easter recipes you can eat all year round? This easy Tiramisu recipe is a scrummy savoury version of the famous dessert. |
| Italian sausage soup : a warming winter dish. This Italian sausage soup is one of the most filling and warming of winter soups. Enjoy it as a delicious meal with some Italian crusty bread. |
| How to cook crabs in six easy steps. Different species of crab are found all over the Italian coasts. We describe how to cook crabs with the least possible effort. |
| Italian fish soup : a hearty winter warmer. This authentic recipe for Italian fish soup is the original basis for the American ‘Cioppino’ (sometimes ‘Ciopino’) recipe. A delicious, healthy, low-fat addition to our Italian cook-book. |
| Our saltimbocca recipe is a simple, delicious, authentic Italian dish. This pork saltimbocca recipe is as delicious when made with turkey to add to your special Italian Thanksgiving or Christmas recipes. And saltimbocca is spectacular when cooked at the ta |
| Best Italian meatball recipe: even healthy eating diets can include this! Simply the best Italian meatball recipe we’ve ever found, combining Italian food customs with healthy cooking. Make this recipe for Italian meatballs your own and you’ll always be in demand! |
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| Italian frittata recipe : the Italian omelette you can make in minutes. The Italian frittata is one of the most popular cold picnic food recipes in Italy. Here's our easy frittata recipe for you to enjoy hot or cold. |
| How to roast garlic - all you need to know to flavour recipes from Italy. Easy steps in how to roast garlic : our favourite roasted garlic recipe and why it's important in italian food customs. |
| Silicone cookware - the latest cooking development. We review the best. Silicon (or silicone) cookware is far from traditional Italian pots and pans. But it has many advantages and is fast becoming popular in Italy. We explain why. |
| Best pasta maker : a review of the Imperia SP150 manual machine. The Imperia SP150 is arguably the best pasta maker in the manual category. We assess its performance in one of the most popular of all everyday Italian recipes - making egg pasta. |
| Best electric pasta maker : we review the Imperia Pasta Presto. If you don’t have time to roll and cut fresh pasta by hand an electric pasta maker may be the answer. The Imperia ‘Pasta Presto’ is the best Italian pasta machine on the market. Find out why here. |
| The Italian pasta machine that makes pasta from scratch: the Lello Pastamaster. We review the best electric pasta maker to create pastas from start to finish. The ideal Italian pasta machine for people in a hurry! |
| Best bread machine review : the Panasonic SD series. We review the best bread machine of all time! If you want help making Italian bread, pizza and more this bread maker is the place to start. |
| The Cuisinart hand blender : a review of the ideal immersion blender. Many Italian food recipes require a small hand held blender. We review one of the best - the Cuisinart hand blender. |
| Romantic books set in Italy : we review the best. What could be more part of Italian culture and traditions than love? We review the very best romantic books set in Italy that you could ever wish to read. Read, rate, enjoy! |
| Everyday Italian goods: your best buy retail store online. If you can't get to Italian stores in person, choose from our everyday Italian stuff online and find the best gifts for him or her. |
| 'Coffee Mate' : guests talk about favourite Italian culture traditions. Who would your ideal coffee mate be? Pour yourself a cappuccino and hear some of ours answering interview questions about themselves, their family and their favourite fun facts about Italy. |
| Free interactive e-cards of Italian images for you to send. Get interactive e-cards for free. Here's a complimentary service of free interactive e-cards for you - beautiful free e-cards to send to family and friends. |
| Cath and Mike'sItalian Bloggolino. This is where you can keep up to date with all the latest news from our Italian culture website. |
| Italian Christmas Music : the Mandolin and Strings of the Sanremo players. Peaceful, authentically Italian Christmas music to add a splash of Italy to your home this festive season. |
| Explore Italian Culture - about us. We're Cath and Mike Andrews, and this is the page where you can find out more about Italian culture and about us. |
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