San Valentino
There are many legends about the actual person who was San Valentino, but apart from the fact that there really was a Valentino who lived in Italy, things are a bit blurry. There is some archeological evidence of a third century priest in Rome and recorded history of a bishop in Terni (a city in Umbria not far from Rome) named Valentine who married young couples and otherwise assisted Christians during the pagan reign of Claudius II. This priest and bishop could be the same person. Valentine was imprisoned in Rome and eventually martyred around 270 AD, perhaps ultimately for converting or trying to convert a prominent family to Christianity. Some records indicate that he was martyred on February 14th and sent a farewell note to someone before his execution signed, From Your Valentine. He has been the patron saint of couples and love since 496 AD when Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as the day of celebrating Valentine's martyrdom.
Hallmark may have increased the prominence of this holiday in the States, but contrary to popular cynical belief, they did not create the occasion! Italians observe the day much as we do in the States, with gifts of chocolate, flowers and love notes.
We wrote on our blog, Italy del Giorno, about another Umbrian saint, St. Feliciano - patron of Foligno, Umbria and the bishop who ordained St. Valentine.
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Spotlight - Cooking Experiences
 | | Mother and son rolling out pasta. |
One of the best things about visiting Italy is eating. And one of the best and most enduring things you can bring home from Italy is a little bit of knowledge and know-how to recreate some of the dishes you enjoyed during your visit. We organize a variety of cooking experiences throughout the Italian peninsula, from professional restaurant kitchens to organic farm kitchens to private homes. And while this is an immediate hands-on way to learn about the food and recipes of an Italian region, it's also a great opportunity for travelers to visit local people doing what they love. You can participate in a cooking experience if you're a person traveling alone or an extended family of 10.
 | | Homemade Sausage |
Cooking not for you? If you love to eat but aren't into the prep or cooking - you can still have a unique home experience. Just let us know and we'll organize a private home dinner for you with one of our local hosts. 
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Romantic Rome
Rome can be a very romantic city if you know where to go.
Villa Farnesina is located in the Bohemian and romantic quarter of Trastevere. The villa was erected in the early 16th century by renowned Tuscan architects for the Chigi family. The interior of the villa features frescoes commissioned by great Renaissance painters including Raphael, whose ceiling fresco depicts the great love story of Cupid and Psyche. The villa is open to the public every morning (except Sunday) until 12:30. After your visit, have lunch in Trastevere.
Ponte Milvio: In 2006, a romantic novel for young people by Italian writer Federico Moccia gave birth to a new romantic legend. A young couple swore eternal love and placed a padlock on this bridge, throwing the keys into the river. Since then, young lovers have been hanging padlocks on a lamppost on the bridge and throwing the key into the Tiber River. The lamppost was in danger of collapsing, so in 2007, the mayor installed steel columns on the bridge for couples to continue the new tradition.
 | | The locks of love on the Via d'Amore in the Cinque Terre |
You can see this tradition all over Italy now - in Verona, the Cinque Terre, and it is spreading all over the world - wherever there are teenagers with access to padlocks!
Bucco di Serratura Walk up Aventine Hill, a beautiful residential part of the city, and continue through the famous Orange Garden & Rose Gardens. You'll see an iron gate with a keyhole. Peak through and take in the most amazing view of St. Peter's Basilica framed by rose bushes. This is not a secret, it is perhaps the best known keyhole in Rome, so you may see others on this path, but it's not like the line at the Vatican.
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