I searched through my blog posts and was amazed to see I'd never written about tarantella! Given how much I love this traditional Italian dance, I'm shocked I haven't covered it before. Tarantella 101 If you're not familiar with this addictive music and dance found in southern Italy, allow me to introduce you. The origins are fuzzy; some say the name "tarantella" came from "tarantula." When someone got bitten by one, they would frantically dance for hours until the poison left their bodies....

While the wet, cold winter felt like it would last an eternity, we have finally cast off our sweaters and rainboots in favor of bare feet and shorts. The swallows (le rondini) have taken up temporary residence in the nooks of abandoned houses near our home. They divebomb flying insects, chirping merrily...and dropping poop bombs all over our poor car! In the house, I've opened all the windows to let the summer breeze in. Fra and I (as well as the cats) practically live on the balcony, now...

I know that Instagram makes having a cheap vacation home in Italy appealing, but as someone who lives here, the idea makes me cringe. Primarily because many Americans buy homes without a) really speaking the language and b) ever spending time in the town they buy in. It ends up not being what they expected, and then they feel cheated, all because they didn't do these things first. Visit the Town You're Interested In I know browsing houses for sale online and finding a steal for €30.000 can...