Discover the Neapolitan island that was the setting for famous films, including Elizabeth Taylor’s “Cleopatra” and Matt Damon’s “Talented Mr. Ripley”

Anticipation builds as Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples in Italy, comes into view. A slight breeze kisses your cheek as you sit on the top of the hydrofoil that is carrying you to your destination. The sun-drenched, pastel buildings, lush hills, and emerald sea are calling you home. You almost can’t smell the pungent gas of the hydrofoil as you walk toward this promise land.

Ischia is ripe for exploration. While Europeans have long known of its goodness, Americans still haven’t discovered the place. Trust me, a visit to this island that neighbors Capri will change your…

U.S. President Joe Biden announced that fully vaccinated Americans can take off their masks even when they are indoors with others, but this mamma is not giving up the mask just yet. Find out why.

After a year of living with the coronavirus pandemic with its lockdowns, quarantines, mourning, and sense of hopelessness, we experienced a miracle on May 13, 2021. With so many Americans vaccinated and the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths at an all-time low, fully vaccinated people, even if they are indoors, can now take off their masks, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“If you’re fully vaccinated and can take your mask off, you’ve earned the right to do something that Americans are known for all around the world: greeting others with a smile — with a smile,”…

As the weather warms up, discover the Garden State’s remarkable natural beauty

Those haters who call the Garden State the armpit of America have never gone outdoors in New Jersey. This state is home to natural and man-made wonders that ignite the senses and attract travelers near and far.

In fact, the state’s moniker, the Garden State, is no mistake. The governor’s website explains that the name is appropriate and speaks to the state’s significance among its neighbors:

Abraham Browning of Camden is given credit for giving New Jersey the nickname the Garden State. … Browning said that our Garden State is an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and…

Find out why the U.S. State Department added Italy to the “do no travel” advisory list and what it means for your family vacation.

Dreaming of traveling to Italy in the summer? You’re not alone. Relatives and friends of mine who work in the tourism industry in the Boot are telling me that Americans are calling and booking trips in droves.

After a year of being locked in the house, everyone is starting to go stir crazy. Right about now indulging in gelato with the Mediterranean Sea in front of you or hopping on a Vespa and zipping around the Colosseum seems like the right response.

Recently, however, the U.S. State Department added Italy to a long list of countries where Americans should not…

On Earth Day, I reflect on how my family’s roots in Ischia, Italy raises my awareness of the environment and encourages a greener lifestyle.

Earth Day is every day when you live with southern Italians. My people are peasants from the island of Ischia off the coast of Naples in Italy. Born of a volcano, Ischia is a marvel of nature. Its lush hills have earned it the name, “L’Isola Verde” or “Green Island.” The thermal waters and soil make for abundant vegetation. Every bite of the tomatoes, peaches, eggplant, and lemons on the island are a revelation. For my family, this food is life.

With sweat pouring down the smalls of their back, my people worked the land using all their might. They…

Rediscover the city that never sleeps, share its riches with friends and family, and rekindle the love.

The city that never sleeps feels like it has been sleeping for more than a year. Having lived just outside the city in New Jersey for my entire life, I can hardly believe the uneasiness flowing from over the George Washington Bridge. Times Square went quiet. The lights on Broadway remain off. And no foreigners have been asking natives for directions. The only other time this happened was in the wake of 9/11.

Back then, it was a matter of weeks, not a…

Learn how to make the traditional Neapolitan dessert and find out how the laborious process of making this sweet can change your perspective.

Pastiera is everything, especially this time of year. This Neapolitan wheat berry dessert dates back centuries. In your pie plate, under your fork, you find history, culture, and resurrection. It is the traditional Easter sweet, and all the Italians you meet will insist you take a bite, or 500 bites, of their version during the spring.

Spitting into Plants

The year was 2004, and I was taking my grandparents on what would be their last trip to Italy, the motherland…

“Eat, eat and get big,” said every Italian nonna since the beginning of time. Seriously, there were Italian cavewomen shoving spoons that they chiseled out of rock and that they filled with berries from the nearby tree into the mouths of their babes.

Italians feed their children with nutrition and deliciousness that is tantamount to pure love. My people were farm-to-table before that was a thing. Family dinner isn’t optional; it’s a guarantee like taxes and death.

So, when your Italian baby fails to gain weight and sometimes even rejects your food, you lose your identity, not to mention your…