The recent visit of Pope Francis to the United States has prompted a strong surge in questions about life in the Vatican City. Comprised of the very famous Apostolic Palace (the residence of the Pope), Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and various Vatican museums, the city is inhabited by approximately 841 residents. The history of Vatican City is a fascinating story, and it is the smallest recognized independent state in the world in both area and citizenship. As you can imagine, with only 841 residents, all of whom are appointed to various duties within the Vatican, there […]
Italy
Haunted and Scary Places in Italy
Chances are that your door bell will soon be rung by children eager to scream “Trick or Treat!” in the hopes that you will fill their bags with Halloween candy. The three-day observance of All Souls Eve (October 31st, All Souls Day, and All Saints Day) is represented on the liturgical calendar of many Christian churches and is said to be strongly influenced by the Celtic harvest festival. It is the time of year set aside to remember and honor the dead, including the saints. With a foundation based in honoring the dead comes the natural evolution of scary stories, […]
Italy and the Olive
The Mediterranean diet is said to be one of the healthiest ones in the world. One of the contributing factors to this lifestyle is undeniably the olive and its byproduct: olive oil. The Italians have incorporated olives and olive oil into their cuisine for thousands of years. While it is said that the first olive trees grew in what is now known as Turkey and have been mentioned throughout Greek mythology and the Bible as having restorative powers, they have been a symbol of peace, vitality, and of course, nourishment. It has been nicknamed “The Noble Fruit.” The best restaurant […]
Italian Fall Favorites
Fall in Italy is a phenomenal gastronomical experience. You can savor the taste of the fall harvest and the most authentic Northern Italian cuisine at Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, the best of fine dining Orlando! The Italian autumn harvest is typically abundant with squash, pumpkin, chestnuts, mushrooms, and truffles, just to name a few of the items celebrated at this time of the year. The Spaniards are credited with being responsible for introducing pumpkins to southern Italy, and they have been integrated into Italian cuisine ever since. Whether roasted, pureed, or sautéed, the sweet flesh of pumpkin is a staple in […]
The Best Sicily Has to Offer
Italy’s boot seems to be kicking the island of Sicily off its toe straight into the African continent. Thankfully it can’t – it would be a terrible loss. Sicily is a beautiful and intriguing island. It is a major influence in Italian cuisine and culture. The fine dining Orlando experience at Christini’s Ristorante Italiano provides an outstanding opportunity to sample authentic regional Italian fare, including some Sicilian favorites set in a sublime ambiance. Over the years, the diet of Sicilians has been gradually changed with the introduction of foods brought to its shores by those who either conquered or settled […]
