Brace yourselves...

Well, would you believe it? This is almost our one hundredth post (number ninety nine, to be exact) so, as everyone likes a list, brace yourselves.

Here we go: 

99 reasons to love Italy (in no particular order)

1. Coffee, from espresso to caffe latte. No other country does it better.
2. Ape, gorgeous little scooter-van-thingys, top of my wish list.
3. Vespas, in all their wonderful retro colours.
4. Opera under the stars on a balmy summer evening.
5. Perugino - our local hero.
6. Gelato!
7. Bruschetta - 101 delicious things you can do with a bit of stale bread.
8. Bar culture; the smell, the coffee paraphernalia, the old boys hanging out in the corner...
9. The Renaissance, an intoxicating mix of art and intrigue.
10. Florence. The glorious epicentre of the Rennaisance.

11. Aperitivo. Yes please and, although the Italians favour Campari, mine's an Aperol Spritz!
12. Sense of family; love, humour and pride bound together by blood, it’s a passionate combo.
13. Il Palio, the whole ‘contrade’ thing.
14. Olive oil, the peppery tang of the first pressing, grassy and green.
15. Sicily - beautiful and dangerous.
16. Markets - from bread to bras to broken chairs, everything under the sun.
17. Jovanotti, making beards look good.
18. Shoes and boots, not cheap, but oh so very lovely!
19. Passeggiata. Got the shoes, now walk the walk.
20. A Lagotto Romagnolo, more than just a dog...

21. The Medici, a bloody history of power, money, and art. These boys bank-rolled the Renaissance.
22. Parmigiano, the king of Italian cheese, intense and crumbling
23. Sex appeal, lets face it, most Italians have some.
24. Rome, home of Il Papa, the Colosseum and all-round shopping heaven.
25. Driving, face the fear!
26. Pasta, one of the world’s greatest carbohydrates.
27. The Crete Senese, a hauntingly beautiful landscape.
28. Wine, sniff it, sip it and swallow it. Italy gives great wine.
29. Mozzarella; drippingly fresh, clean and lactic. Lose your heart to this subtle cheese.
30. Sunflowers, a bit naff, but everyone loves them.

31. Siena, it’s all about Il Campo, which is perhaps the loveliest Italian piazza I have ever seen.
32. The porchetta van, you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten a porchetta panino.  The savoury highlight of every market place. Just remember to wipe your chin...
33. Language, “Ciao bella!”, what’s not to love?
34. Roadside Madonnas, they're everywhere; forgiving and serene.
35. Venice; the Grand canal, St Marks Square, the faded, shabby splendour - unforgettable.
36. Salsicce, the Italians know how to make a mighty fine sausage.
37. Italian nonnas; slow moving and dressed in black, God bless them all.
38. Amici, great reality TV, Italian style.
39. Dylan Dog, he just gets sexier. (It’s a comic)
40. Umbrella pines

41. Arezzo. The antiques market, Casa Vasari, Piero della Francesca’s ‘Legend of the True Cross’ fresco cycle and a Cimabue cross, make this laid back town perfetto.
42. Baci, Perugia’s little chocolate and hazelnut kisses.
43. Buh! An expression that defies translation and yet somehow seems fitting for almost every occasion.
44. Fiat cinquecento, in all it’s wonderful retro colours, top of marito’s wish list.
45. Naples, the dark heart of Italy.
46. Befana. Will she bring you sweets or coal? You’ve gotta love the Christmas witch.
47. Rolling wheat fields, changing with the light, a magical part of the landscape.
48. Pizza, peasant food made good, one of Italy’s finest exports.
49. Niccolo Ammaniti’s ‘I’m not Scared’ a great read.
50. Olive trees.

51. More gelato.
52. Elena Ferrante ‘Days of Abandonment’ another good read.
53. Siesta, everything stops from 1pm to 4pm, why fight it?
54. Body language; the shrugs, the gestures, the facial expressions, my children use them all!
55. Free food, the funghi, the truffles (I wish!), the wild herbs and salads, it’s a foragers paradise.
56. Fashionista, they are out there somewhere, though maybe not in Chiusi.
57. Churches, dimly lit, smelling of candle wax and polish.
58. Ferragosto, everything stops for the whole month of August, why fight it?
59. Tans. After April, somehow, everyone has one.
60. Italian beach culture, the kiosks, the loungers, the tightly fitting speedos...

61. Risotto, the ultimate comfort food. Even the ritual of stirring and pouring can soothe a savage soul.
62. Northern Italy, Liguria and Piemonte, the coast, the mountains, the polenta.
63. White roads, often unmarked, dusty and rutted, seemingly leading nowhere.
64. Ciambelle, (doughnuts), let’s not go there.
65. The men in tights, the processions and pageantry, the painstakingly made Renaissance costumes.
66. The mists in the valleys and the hilltop towns of Tuscany and Umbria.
67. The seasons, each very different, defined and extreme.
68. Frescoes. Yes, all of them.
69. Acqua Frizzante
70. Panettone, the gaudily packaged traditional Christmas cake.  Vanilla scented and sweetly risen, these cakes are highly addictive and all too often on special offer way into the New Year!

71. Carnevale, the masks, the streamers. Oh come on, it’s a holiday!
72.  “Permesso?” No Italian would ever cross your threshold without first uttering this word.
73. Architecture, apart from a bleak post war period lasting well into the 1970’s, Italian architecture is pretty damn fine.
74. Pecorino, a great cheese made from sheep’s milk. Sold here in many guises from young and wet, like a sharp tasting mozzarella, to mature and granular rather like a parmesan.  Delicious, eaten with pears or fresh figs.
75. Pigs, what the Italians can’t do with pork is not worth knowing, think proscuitto, pancetta, speck, salami, salsicce (I know, we’ve been there already!)
76. The smell of wood smoke in winter.
77. Roberto Saviano's ‘Gomorrah’ This book is both brilliant and terrifying in any language.
78. Sweet wine, Vin Santo, luscious and golden for dipping biscotti, and Marsala, the cook’s quick fix, for transforming pan-fried chicken or pork into something sublime.
79. The Equestrian Portrait of Guidoriccio da Fogliano, attributed by some to Simone Martini. This portrait of a knight setting forth from his battle camp to besiege a walled hill town is stunning, no matter who it’s by.  It can be seen in the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, and is one of my very favourite paintings.
80. An almost neverending 3 months off school for the summer holidays, according to my children it’s the very best thing about Italy, personally I’m not so sure.

81. Gennaro Gattuso, I just slipped him in for marito.
82. Pesto. Whoever first dreamt up this fragrant sauce was a culinary genius.
83. Gorgonzola, love it, love it, love it.
84. Ricotta, Mascarpone, Fontina, OK, OK, I just love cheese.
85. Taking the waters, a national pastime, those thermal spas are oh soooo good.
86. Riccardo Scamarcio, an Italian actor who is heartbreakingly gorgeous.
87. The tiny green lizards, I don’t know their proper name, but I love the way they smile and keep me company when I’m sitting on the steps.
88. Francesco Totti,  making the beautiful game beautiful, apparently.
89. Piero della Francesca’s overwhelming fresco, the ‘Madonna del Parto’ located in the tiny village of Monterchi, near Arezzo. It is the only depiction of the pregnant Madonna in Renaissance art.
90. Cypress trees.

91. Savonarola, the 15th century mad monk of Florence, adversary to the Medici and instigator of the purging frenzy that culminated in the colossal ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’.  Some people just make great history.   
92. Long lunches in a shady piazza.
93. The hot resinous smell of summer.
94. Tiziano Ferro, bellissimo.
95. Biscotti, dry and nutty Cantuccini for dipping, or sweet and squidgy Ricciarelli for pure indulgence, the Italians do make great biscotti.
96.  Le Marche, Abruzzo, Calabria, all places I haven’t been to yet but have heard so much about that I just can’t wait to visit.
97. Regional food passion. In what other country would a group of grown men stand around naked in the football changing room discussing the merits of mozzarella? Thank you, marito, for that insight.
98. “Dai”, that a word so short can be so full of meaning, moaning and pleading is quite amazing.
99. Prosecco, fizzy and frivolous, the Italian answer to Champagne.

Phew! I think I need one!

I’m sure there are many, many more. After all, these are just my reasons based on the Italy that I know so, whether you agree or disagree, please feel free to add a few of your own in the comments.  As for number 100 well, I’m afraid you’ll just have to wait…

Comments

[Tour to Ranthambore]

I love your blog its look nice and attractive. You mentioned 99 points and all are very interesting. I always keep in touch with your blog and going to bookmark also.
Thanks

[Laura]

Your site is inspiring and beautiful. The photos make me weep, they are so lovely. I have never been to Italy but I have been secretly yearning to go, especially Umbria, because it is so beautiful and green. Since I discovered your site, it seems to bring it closer to me, and I will continue to work towards visiting Italy soon.

[Stefanie]

Don't forget about the lakes in Lombardy. It's almost to beautiful there. I went to Lake Maggiore for the first time when I was 7 and it has from then on always been in my heart. If you haven't been there read more about them here: The Lakes of Lombardy

[Rochelle Gaukel]

I personally loved #41! Was in Cortona September 08' for a workshop and we visited the Arezzo antiques market - such a wonderful place full of many treasures. See here: http://lolasmommy.blogspot.com/2008/11/drum-roll-please.html
and here: http://lolasmommy.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-ive-been-up-to.html
for some items that I purchased at the antiques market. Wish I was there now!
Loved Italy as a whole and plan on going back soon! Love your blog as it is so lovely to see the sights of italy!
Rochelle

[Rosaria]

Bellisimo! Delighted and inspired to read of the 99 reasons you're so passionate about where you live. It's heartwarming to read about people who embrace their new homeland in such positive terms.

[Amanda@ A Tuscan View....]

Thanks so much for all these wonderful comments, we certainly wouldn't have kept going for ninety nine posts without them.

Erin - I put in 39 especially for you and Chris:)
Ms Gourmet - How did I know you would love cheese?
Maryann - You are an inspiration.
Stephanie - Hope you get to Italy one day soon.
Cherilyn - Thanks for stopping by, so glad you enjoyed the post.
Scintilla - "Buh/Bo!" We take them for granted too.
Judith - 'Libidinous', don't you just love that word?
Anne - You have stayed in some spectacular places, I bet the views were wonderful.
Ragazza - They are mostly the reasons we moved here too.
Isabel - I'd like to know who those 'hot' Portuguese players are, I'm not restricted to Italian talent!:)
Ali - I think you finished off the flagons! ciao sis xx
John - LOL, lest we forget indeed!
Elizabeth - I hope you have a chance to visit Italy again soon.
Michelle - Thanks bella! Bleeding Espresso was our inspiration to start this up in the first place.
Casalba - Thank you so much, from one cheese lover to another.
Polideuce - mi sembra che quella donna e proprio grande, ma forse devo aspettare fin che posso trovare un traduzione in inglese!
Leslie - So glad you liked the list. Pizza, pasta,gelato the kids will love it. Hope to see you here one day.
Molly - Your comment made us laugh, but it's probably not pc to explain why!:) Thanks so much
Antonina - Wow, that really made me hungry!
Ingrid - I know you agree with number 20.
Joe - Wait til you have two children giving you that brown eyed puppy dog look!
Natalia - "Dai!" Glad you liked the post.
Karen - Glad you like the list, I guess it is a little food heavy, but hey...
Susan - Glad you enjoyed it.
Lara - That's great, we would love to see you here one day. Thanks for reading.

Phew! Now I really do need a drink, that was nearly as long as the list!

[Lara]

What a wonderful list you put together. So thorough! I enjoy reading your blog. I am bookmarking your site so that when my babies grow up a little we can come and stay in your villa and I could take a class with your husband.

[susan]

I love this post...each and every one of your (( I cant wait for #100...
Abbracci

[karen cole]

I am SO HUNGRY now. Congrats on 100 posts. Your list is a beautiful way to celebrate.

Hope you are both well and happy!!!

[natalia]

Ciao ! Non ho tanto amore per il mio paese in questo momento ma leggendi i novantanove punti me ne è venuto un po' di più !!!

[joe@italyvile]

"Dai" is one of my favorites... how can you say no to an Italian women (with all her sex appeal) when she gives you a puppy-eyed look and says.... "dai" Great list! so many more but I'll just add 1 - the smell of roasted chestnuts:)

[Vita Lenta nel Bel Paese]

Cara Amanda,

What is there to add? You seem to have covered everything "Italian". Congrats! Have to reverse and read your 99 blogs back and forth. Bacione, Ingrid

[Antonina]

Your ode to all things delish In Italy was a tantalizing travelogue of gastronomical guilty pleasures to be sure minus one or three of my favorites, olive' scatcheti, olives that are green and hammered to release the flavors , soaked in water bath's change every night for a few days to take the bitter out and them then drain and add large slivers of garlic, olive oil and pepper flakes red and spicy some salt and let marinate for about a week on the counter with a dish cloth over the bowl like my dad used to make. Stuffed dates with walnuts rolled in sugar, another favorite and artichoke frittata with 3 any kind of cheese and loaf of bread. My waist band got tighter as I read your list.

[Molly Hyde]

Great list - Italy is so beautiful. The Almfi Coast was amazing, Rome...Rome...Rome, Pompeii, the food, the wine. Just a few of my favorites...Although, the driving was much more difficult in Ireland! For us Americans, Italy at least drives on the right side of the road.

[leslie]

wow, that was a stunning (and fun) list! having been to italy only once and with a 2 year old in tow, i cant wait to get back for another visit with both my children, now older and more able to appreciate it. i would love to take a painting workshop with you as well, what a treat that would be. thanks for that wonderful taste of italy, really made my day!

[Polideuce]

che ne dice della Bellonci come numero cento? io adoro come usa le parole, o meglio "usava", quella donna...
Grazie, molti di questi punti mi ricordano perché amo il mio paese

[casalba]

Excellent list, but then I wouldn't expect anything less from you. This blog never disappoints. I also had a look at some of your earlier posts - the olive tree and tufo as a puppy. Lovely.

[Michelle]

Aaaaah bella Italia! Congrats on your 100th post (almost) ;)

[elizabeth]

So very, very well said. And now I want to hop a flight to...anywhere in Italy because Connecticut is clearly telling the marito e io that it's done with us. :-)

[John]

Your list was fun and reminds us all...lest we forget.

[ali]

think you managed to cover most things to love about Italy, you didnt mention flagons from Montepulciano or how you love the stream of family and friends who have joined you in your venture, ooops perhaps that was your 100th............ LOL ciao bella xxxxxxxx

[Isabel]

You said it ALL, Amanda :)
A lot of your reasons are also my reasons for loving Portugal...
well, I could add some HOT Portuguese soccer players to the list, but that is another story ;)

The smells, the food, the sites, and the people...I can't wait to go back to Europe this summer. Thank you for the wonderful tips and new places to visit.

xox

Isabel

[nyc/caribbean ragazza]

Love this list.

You've listed so many of the reasons I moved to Italy in the first place.

[anne]

Such a great post, Well done.

For me Liguria, Lake Como, Sicily, Panetonne, Coffee, Wine, Pasta, the different foods all stay in my mind...but the one thing on my list that makes me miss Italy, are the views from every place I have stayed.

[Deco]

I am far too lazy to come up with so many traits to praise, although of course one must have them if one has crossed the Atlantic to live here. It was reassuring to find your list about as libidinous as mine would be were I to make one. And I love that dog, too.

Judith in Umbria

[Scintilla]

Great list ! I'm with you on them all. They are things that I had begun taking for granted and a few that I thought were my little secret!
No.97 was a new one...
And 'Bo' is a word that's started to creep into my English too.

[cherilyn]

thank you for this post - you just took me back to my trip to Italy and added many more reasons to return!!!

[stephanie]

well you spell it all out! the reasons this is on MY wish list....some day, in the meantime so happy you are here!

[maryann]

I love this post! Thanks guys :)

[MsGourmet]

i am with you on 1/57/64/83&84!

[erin :: the olive notes]

You know...i've tried leaving comments on the last 3 posts, but it hasn't worked. fingers crossed on this one :)

so i LOVE this post...great idea. #39 is a fav for me...but that Palio photo almost makes me feel like I'm going to loose my lunch! ha.

miss you guys.