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About Italy

Italy is passion, beauty and tradition. Italy embodies the pinnacle of art, culture, fashion and cuisine. Italy dominated the ancient world, gave birth to the Western Renaissance and is now home to la dolce vita.

La dolce vita is living life with passion, surrounding yourself with the resplendent. Italians have perfected the sweet life with their appreciation for beauty and their mastery of design. Art and beauty have long been highly valued in Italian culture. Italy is home to more recognized masterpieces than the rest of the world combined!

Our admiration for the Italian artisans have lead us to bring them to you. However, we aspire to share more than brillant Italian creations. Through these pages we would like to share the history of Italy, recent cultural events, latest fashion trends, our favorite recipes and our favorite travel destinations on this wonderful penisula of our ancestory. We hope to bring la dolce vita to you.

Read below to learn more about interesting Italian people, Italian holidays and customs, cultural events in Italy, delicious recipes and birthdays of important and famous Italians and persons of Italian heritage.

BelTesoro -Travel

Sacro Monte de Varallo

Nestled high on a small mountain in the Piemonte town of Varallo is the little known artistic gem, Sacro Monte. Founded in 1491, it is the oldest construction of its kind. At Varallo, a friar, Fra Bernardino Caimi, brought to life his vision. Inspired by the “holy places” of Palestine, he had the idea to erect buildings that recalled these places. Enlisting the aid of many artists overseen by Gaudenzio Ferrari, Fra Ciami had chapels built and decorated with beautiful frescoes and life-sized statues depicting the events in Jesus's life.

This unique endeavor would take many years to complete and ultimately was finished in 1765. The bishop of Milan, St. Charles Borromeo, in 1578 continued the building and dubbed Sacro Monte the “New Jerusalem.” He completed several more chapels illustrating the works of Jesus as well as events from the Bible.

Today Sacro Monte located on the natural terrace soars 600 meters above Varallo. It is comprised of the Basilica and 45 chapels populated by over 800 life-sized statues made from terra cotta or wood. They are used to dramatically depict the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ. The interiors are also decorated with vivid frescoes. The whole setting is serene with beautiful vegetation between each of the individual chapels. Panoramic views of the town below are everywhere. This is truly a unique and extraordinary destination off the beaten path. Sacro Monte reveals Italians' artistic and religious history at it is finest.

BelTesoro - Italian Current Events

Study in Italy

Summer is a wonderful time to go back to school. It is a great time to travel to Italy and enroll in one of the numerous language and art schools. Located in Italy's most beautiful cities, universities, colleges and language schools offer week to month long classes in Italian or art history. The best way to really learn the beautiful Italian language is to immerse yourself in the culture.

We have listed some of the better known schools to look into. This is the time of year to think about a class or two for the summer. Studying in Italy can be a cherished, once in a life time experience!

To study in Perugia - www.unistrapg.it/english/

To study in Siena - www.saenaiulia.it/

To study in Rome - www.torredibabele.com

www.languageinitaly.com/EN/index.php

To study in Florence - www.florencelanguagesplus.com/

www.scuolaleonardo.com

BelTesoro Recipes

Asparagus Frittata

Ingredients

8 eggs

2 Tbsp milk

2 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese

4 strips of cooked and crumbled bacon

1/2 cup of chopped mushrooms

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1 lb of asparagus steamed for 3-4 minutes and then chopped

1. Beat the eggs and milk together in a bowl.

2. Mix in the 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese, bacon , mushrooms and basil.

3. Grease a 9" pie pan with olive oil.

4. Layer the asparagus in the pan and then pour the egg mixture into the pie pan over the asparagus.

5. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

6. Top the frittata with the remaining cheese and return to the oven for 10 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

7. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5-7 minutes before cutting.

Serves 6-8.

BelTesoro Lifestyle

How To Taste Olive Oil

What you will need:

-one bottle of each Extra Virgin Olive Oil to be tasted

-short taster glasses

-bread plates

-a pitcher of water

-seedless Italian bread, cut into chunks

-slices of green apples

-pads and pens

1. Pour a tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil into a short taster glass. Offer a chunk of bread on the side.

2. Place the cup between your hands to warm the oil. This will release the oil's bouquet. Raise the glass to your nose and take three deep breaths to identify the oil's scent.

3. Pour the oil on to the bread plate and dip a piece of bread into the oil for at least 10 seconds.

4. Bite the end of the bread soaked in the oil and chew slowly to allow the flavor of the oil to spread around your mouth. After swallowing, gently breath through your mouth to release the aromatic properties of the olive oil.

5. Try to detect the flavor characteristics of the oil - fruity, grassy, peppery. Jot down your notes about sensation, flavors and aromas.

6. Cleanse your palate with slice of green apple and sip of water before trying the next selection!

Hints for Cooking With Olive Oil

-When a recipe calls for cooking oils or fats, try olive oil instead as it is far healther than vegetable or canola oil or butter and margerine.

-Substitute the exact amount for the called for cooking oil with just a touch less olive oil.

-To substitute butter or margerine refer to below:

Butter/Margerine Olive Oil

1 teaspoon 3/4 teaspoon

1 tablespoon 2 1/4 teaspoons

2 tablespoons 1 1/2 tablespoons

1/4 cup 3 tablespoons

1/3 cup 1/4 cup

1/2 cup 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons

2/3 cup 1/2 cup

3/4 cup 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon

1 cup 3/4 cup

Famous Italian and Italian American Birthdays

April Birthdays

Award winning film director, Francis Ford Coppola, was born on April 7, 1939.

One April 11, 1913, Oleg Cassini was born in Paris and raised in Italy. He was one of the most celebrated fashion designers in the world; a favorite of Jackie O's.

Italy's answer to Bridgitte Bardot - the sexy Claudia Cardinale was born on April 15, 1939.

The originaly Renaissance man and one of the most important person's in history was born on April 15, 1452. He was Leonardo da Vinci.

Born Enrico Nicola Mancini, better known as Henry Mancini, was born on April 16, 1924. He is best known for composing Oscar winning movie songs such as "Moon River" and the theme to "Pink Panther."

Maria Bello star of both stage and the big screen was born on April 18, 1967. She can be seen on television's E.R. as Dr. Anna Del Amico.

April 21, 1951 marks the birth of Antonio Iadanza. Better known as Tony Danza, star of Taxi.

Opera great, Franco Corelli, was born on April 21, 1921.

On April 23, 1960, One Day at a Time star and Jenny Craig spokeswoman, Valerie Bertinelli, made her first appearance.

Actress, Talia Rose Coppola, better known as Talia Shire, celebrates her birthday on April 25th (1946).

One of Hollywood's greatest talents, Al Pacino, was born on April 25, 1940.

Musician, actor and 50's teen idol, Bobby Rydell, was born Robert Louis Ridarelli on April 26, 1942.

Language Corner

Dolci e l'alba che illumina gli amanti.- Sweet is the dawn which breaks upon lovers.

Sosta Vietata - No Parking

Ha capito fischi per fischi per fiaschi - You understand whistles for flasks. Meaning "you misunderstood"

La spiaggia ci aspetta!- The beach awaits!

Chi non risica non rosica-"nothing ventured nothing gained". Italians will commonly utter these words to their friends or other advice seekers to encourage them to forget prudence and to take a risk that may pay off while not doing anything will only continue a stable but possibly unhappy and unprofitable situation.

"Il diavolo ha creato le pentole ma non i coperchi"- Literally, "the devil created the pans but not the covers". Italians say this when one has mischievously schemed or lied and then finds himself in difficulty in order to not get caught. The pans represent the original scheme or lie and the covers refer to how to cover the whole mess up without being discovered. The devil did not provide for the latter.

NONNA MICHELINA'S FAMOUS SAYINGS

"La miseria è una brutta bestia"

"Misery is an ugly beast". A wonderfully colorful expression commonly employed by Italians to express the antithesis of the dolce vita, or the art of fine living. The expression is commony uttered to describe conditions of poverty or misery.

DETTI POPOLARI-COMMON AND COLORFUL ITALIAN EXPRESSIONS

"A lavare la testa all'asino si perde l'acqua ed il sapone"-It means literally, "by washing the head of a donkey, you waste both water and soap". Used to describe someone so stubborn that it is a complete waste trying to explain to make that person understand something. Can often be heard by Italians originating from the Campania region of Italy, that is, Naples, Caserta, Salerno, etc.

Italian Art Exhibits/Travel and Cultural Information

INTERESTING MUSEUMS IN MILAN

Museo Archeologico-Archaeological Museum

Location: Corso Magenta, 15

Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; closed Mondays

Information: 02-8053972

Museo Poldi Pezzoli-Poldi Pezzoli Museum Art Gallery

Location: Via Manzoni, 12

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Mondays

Information:02-794889

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana-Ambrosiana Museum Art Gallery

Location: Piazza Pio XI

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; closed Mondays

Information: 02-806921

Pinacoteca Di Brera-Brera Museum Art Gallery

Location: Via Brera, 28, subway M2 Lanza or M3 Montenapoleone

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-7:15 p.m.; closed Mondays

Information: 02-89421146

THE SCALA OPERA HOUSE

The Scala is currently closed for renovation which will be ongoing for the next seasons. The productions for the time being will be at the "new" location of the Scala at the Arcimboldi Theatre located at Viale dell'Innovazione, Quartiere Bicocca. Information: 02-6470926; 02-860775

THE SCALA MUSEUM

During the period of renovation of the Scala, the Scala Theatre Museum has relocated to Corso Magenta, 71, open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

CRAFT FAIRS MILAN

Mostra Mercato Vecchi Libri In Piazza-Old Books in The Square

Location: Piazza Diaz

When: Second Sunday of the Month

Mercato Filatelico-Stamp Collecting Market

Location: Via Armorari, subway M1 or M3 Duomo stop

When: Sunday Mornings

Mercato D'Antiquariato Di Brera-Antique Market In Brera District

Location: Via Fiori Chiari; subway M3 Montenapoleone stop

When: Third Sunday of Each Month

Fiera Di Senigallia-Senigallia Flea Market

Location: Darsena Di Viale D'Annunzio; subway M2 Porta Genova stop or trolley N. 3 from Duomo Via Torino

When: Saturdays

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