Venice Rising: Aqua Granda, Pandemic, Rebirth

In lyrical essays, a symphony of citizens—artisans, rowers, teachers, performers, shop owners—present a first-hand view of their city as they had never seen it: deserted, silent, isolated, anxious, yet never more beautiful or enchanting. These eyewitnesses take us inside a magical place that comforts, energizes and inspires them with dreams of a new future for Venice. Click here to buy online. All proceeds will be donated to organizations that support Venetian culture and arts.

Braided in Fire: Black GIs and Tuscan Villagers on the Gothic Line

In 1975 Solace Wales and her husband, both artists, began living part of every year in Sommocolonia in the coastal mountains of Tuscany. She learned about her neighbors’ harrowing experiences in World War II and about the African American troops garrisoned there. Braided in Fire recounts an almost-forgotten page of history and pays tribute to great sacrifice and bravery. Click here for ordering information.

Solo in Salento : A Memoir

Haunted by a wretched past, a loss of faith, and toxic relationships, Donna Keel Armer, an author and blogger in South Carolina, left her home and husband to experience daily life in a small town in Italy. This book charts her transformative journey as she immerses herself in music, mosaics, sacred places, culinary delights and unexpected adventures. Click here to order online.

La Marchesa Colombi: Vita, romanzi e passioni della prima giornalista del Corriere della Sera

Masters’ Gallery Rome

Top Roman tour guides with a passionate love for their native (or adopted) city are offering online courses, with videos featuring great footage, important facts and humorous surprises to recreate the sparkle of learning about Rome. Explore the Eternal City’s masterpieces with masters in the field without having to leave the comfort of your home.

LoveItaly’s Cornucopia Series

LoveItaly, a nonprofit Rome-based organization dedicated to preserving Italian culture, is sponsoring a series of weekly conversations about treasured places in the Bel Paese. Take a virtual journey every Wednesday to discover the riches of the country’s art, architecture and landscapes. Click here to learn about my “hidden treasure”: Monte Argentario in western Tuscany.

My own Italy passion project is an electronic book, "A" Is for Amore, a whimsical journey through the Italian alphabet, which you can download for free at my website.