Italy Explained wishes you a happy (belated) birthday!

I am usually pretty good about keeping track of the calendar. But the last few months were so hectic that I forgot to mark my birthday.

The website’s birthday is today. Italy explained debuted September 15, 2014. After 365 days (plus another 14 because I’m two weeks behind), and 109 articles later I thought I’d mark it with a look at five most popular articles from Italy explained’s first year.

This little trip down memory lane is for you, my friends. Please accept my sincere and humble thanks for being with me. It’s a pleasure to share Italy with you. You are the reason I am here.

Shopping in Italy Official Sales

Italy has two sales seasons that are state-approved. One is in the summer and one is in the winter. It’s possible for shopaholics to feel like they’ve gone to heaven if they visit during one of these sales. You’ll need to research the dates and also how they change by city and region each year. Before you pack your bags and book your tickets, you should do some research on what you can expect. This was the most-read article in the past year.

Itinerary to Italy: Two Perfect Weeks

This article is not surprising to be at the top of the most viewed. It’s been asked the most frequently in almost 10 years of writing about Italy. This itinerary is almost identical to the one I created for my first trip to Italy. It’s perfect for those who are just starting out and want to see all the major sights.


Milan Expo 2015: What you Need to Know

According to all accounts, Milan’s Expo was a great success this year. They have seen a higher than expected number of visitors and an increase in food-related exports. Expo 2015 will be over in a month. This article is popular and will help you to plan your trip to Milan.


Milan visitors (mostly taking advantage of Expo being in town) are clearly also looking for escapes to Milan. This article follows the one about the Expo. While I love Milan and hope it continues to be so, there are great day trips around Milan that I am all for.

The History of the Word Ciao and Why It’s Not Recommended in Italy

The occasional history lesson from a word or phrase was one of my favorite things about learning and teaching Italian. “Ciao”, which is so common in English, can be used for “hello” and “goodbye” everywhere. But it’s also a word that has a complicated backstory that might not be accepted by everyone. It’s a pleasure that so many people were interested enough to learn more.

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