As an American having lived in Italy, I’ve done my share of traveling throughout the country and have experienced my share of trial and error. There really is no perfect way to travel. I traveled to Italy as a poor student and I do not believe that having a shoestring budget has affected my enjoyment…
Creating a French meal can be simple! You don’t need years of training in French cuisine to draw inspiration from a food culture renowned for its complexity. I got the inspiration to try French cooking after watching Anthony Bourdain’s program on Lyon France with its rich and decadent food culture. Of all the dishes featured…
Everyone loves gifts, especially thoughtful gifts from your European vacation. The most important consideration in gift buying is how unique and delightful it will be. With the abundance of tourist shops selling low quality knick knacks, it can sometimes be overwhelming to find the right gift. Likewise, what should you bring if you are visiting…
A Visit to Warsaw and its Old Town is a must-see because this area shows, perhaps more than anywhere else in the city, the determination of the Polish people to rebuild their national heritage. The Old Town contained Warsaw’s castle and many of its historical buildings which were leveled to the ground during World War…
Are comfort foods really better in Europe? Food tourism is one of the best reasons to travel to Europe. There is a common stereotype that food in Europe is generally superior to food in the States and for the most part, this is true. However, in my travels I have discovered that while some foods…
“How can you be both Italian and American? I don’t get it when you Americans say that you’re Italian-American. Explain it to me.” This is something that my Italian friend, who works with a lot of American students, asked me. What he didn’t understand is how so many young people, born in America, who had…
Learning a second language benefits you by helping you become a more successful person. In my own experience, having learned a second language (Italian) has provided me with more exciting opportunities than if I only spoke English. For example, being able to speak Italian has helped me curate an exhibition of Italian landscape paintings at…
When I was living in Italy I was on a tight budget. In order to fund my travels throughout the country and keep up with my everyday expenses like rent and food, I had to forgo getting haircuts as often as I liked or buying the best makeup. Near the end of the year (around…
Ciobar is a thick, creamy, Italian hot chocolate drink popular in Europe that doesn’t really have an equivalent in the United States. Colder weather doesn’t deter Italians from visiting their favorite cafes. If you go to Italy in the winter you can often find groups of locals bundled up and huddled under heat lamps eating…
In the bar area of a Blueline ferry one finds this can of Ožujsko beer in its unassuming yellow and red can. The glass it is served with reflects the deep blue of the Adriatic sunset coming in through the bar’s expansive windows. The port at Ancona Having a glass or two of beer is…
Art is an important part of the Italian psyche. It is part of the day to day existence of nearly all Italians weather they appreciate it or not. It is really hard to imagine living in Italy without being constantly surrounded by beauty. Identification with a city, its monuments, and the spaces within a city…
Euro-Jes's Culture Questions 