Two Parts Italy

It’s the week before Christmas and if you have an Italy lover on your list, here are some great last-minute items you can easily order online.

Music

Italy means many things to me, with music being high on the list. Native Italian Andrea Bocelli recently released his first new album in 14 years, titled “Sí.” The album features ballads and songs of love and includes the beautiful song he recorded with his son, Matteo. If you have not heard “Fall on Me,” you’ll find a video of it here. You can find "Sí" where you typically buy music.

Olive Oil

An easy-to-give and unique gift is to adopt an olive tree in Italy on behalf of your gift recipient. I adopted a tree in Umbria several years ago and in addition to the wonderful olive oil I received as part of my adoption, this simple act has allowed to feel I truly own a piece of Italy (I renew my adoption every year). You can find numerous olive oil farms to choose from by searching on the Internet for “olive tree adoption Italy.” Choose the farm, choose the tree, choose to whom you want to send the gift, and pay – all online. You’ll be giving a part of Italy to someone you love and helping Italy continue to produce some of the best olive oil in the world.

Lotion

Speaking of olive oil, my favorite lotion and soap is made in Italy and derived from organic olive oil and extracts of olive leaf. I first bought the products while in Italy but discovered after returning home that I can buy them online. The website emporioitaliano.com carries the Erbario Toscano products I enjoy, along with a host of other items from Italy. I have found the service to be great and I re-order my lotion and soap solely online now so I don’t have to worry about fitting them in my suitcase any more.

Books

The list of books about Italy or set in Italy is long. Whether it’s mysteries (try authors Donna Leon or Andrea Camilleri) or romances (“Letters to Juliet,” “Italy: My Beautiful Obsession” are two) or philosophy (Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” is among my favorites), you can find something to fit almost any Italophile’s tastes.

Food

For “Two Parts Italy” readers in Albuquerque, I highly recommend the food of my friend Michelle. She offers community-sourced meals that include fresh pasta, ravioli, sauces and other prepared food each week. The quality is high, the taste is scrumptious and the love put into the preparations is Italian. You can find her website here.

Buon Natale to you all! -post by JG