Brandy Shearer
Ciao! I'm Brandy, a semi-retired American expat who recently moved to Italy. ALOR.blog shares what 'La Dolce Vita' or a slower pace of life in the Italian Alps really feels like. I share stories of renovating our first home in northern Italy, Italy Trips exploring top travel destinations and smaller hidden gems.
3 Days in Rome On a Budget
Nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome is one of Italy’s most popular and expensive destinations. Tips on free things to do in Rome.
You’ll Never Guess How Long Olive Trees Live!
Although the average life span of an Olive tree is 500 years, Olive trees in Italy, Greece, Lebanon, and Israel are said to be 6,000 years old! See the oldest Olive trees in Sardinia, Italy.
Eating in Italy | 25 Do’s, Don’t & Tips to Savour Every Last Bite
Wondering what it’s like to eat in Italy? 25 insights on Italian dining culture and Italian cuisines that will help make the most out of every meal in Italy.
Water in Italy, It’s Safe to Drink Despite Italians Love of Bottled
Tap water in Italy is safe to drink despite the growing number of Italians drinking bottled water at home and in restaurants. Insight for travelers on drinking tap vs bottled water for your next trip to Italy from native Italians and an American now living in Italy.
Puglia’s Most Mythical Destination, Castel del Monte
Perfectly octagonal with an astronomically precise location, Castel del Monte is Puglia’s most mythical UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to Stay in Vieste, Italy
Residence MareSol is a hidden gem just outside the heart historic of Vieste, Italy with rooms starting at 110€ a night.
Could this be the Ultimate Cliffside Restaurant in Italy?
Why Porta di Basso in Peschici just might be the ultimate cliffside restaurant in Italy. Photos & Video.
How to Properly Pronounce Puglia
Puglia as in Puglia, Italy is pronounced poo·lee·uh. Why pronouncing Italian words with “gli” is tricky for native English speakers + tips to get it right.
Where to Eat in Vieste, Italy, Osteria al Duomo + Michelin Picks
Our pick for the best restaurant in Vieste, Italy.
Legend of Cristalda & Pizzomunno
20 beaches stretch 18 miles of coastline in Vieste, Italy making it one of the best beach towns in Puglia. Why Scialara is the most popular beach in Vieste.
Italian Meal Courses, Menus & How to Order in Italy!
Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Contorni, and Dolci are traditional Italian meal courses on menus in Italy. Types of dishes in each plus tips on ordering in Italy.
Polpo, 5 Italian Foods That Will Make You Love It!
Polpo (Italian for octopus) refers to the animal and the Italian foods that feature it. Top five iconic polpo dishes not to be missed in Italy.
Tipping in Italy, How Much to Leave Guilt Free
Tipping in Italy is like paying a good compliment. Always appreciated, never anticipated. Observations on where, when, and how Italians tip in Italy.
Coperto 101, What it Means, Why it Exists in Italy
Coperto is a mandatory per-person charge that has been part of eating in Italy since the middle ages. What coperto means, costs, why it’s not a scam or tip.
35 Pictures of Liguria, Gulf of Poets to Sestri Levante
Pictures of Italy photo gallery with 35 lush photos of the Italian Riviera. Liguria Coast highlights from Sestri Levante to La Spezia.
How to Properly Pronounce Caciocavallo
Caciocavallo as in Caciocavallo cheese is pronounced ca‧cio‧ca‧vàl‧lo. Video of native Italian speakers pronouncing Caciocavallo, plus tips to pronounce double letters words correctly in Italian.
25 Portofino Pictures, Legendary Luxury Paradise in Italy
Pictures of Italy photo gallery with 25 vivid photos of Portofino a holiday hotspot for celebrities since 1950.
40 Cinque Terre Pictures, Italy’s Most Colorful Destination
Pictures of Italy Gallery with 40 mesmerizing photos of the Cinque Terre a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape site since 1997.
Why Italians Love Nice + 40 Pics of the French Riviera Jewel
Three hours from Torino, Italy lies a popular Italian vacation spot nicknamed Nice la Belle meaning ‘Nice the Beautiful.’ See why Italians adore visiting this French Rivera fave year round.
How to Properly Pronounce Gnocchi | 3 Tips
Proper Gnocchi pronunciation is nyow·key. Been saying it wrong all this time? Three tricky little reasons native English speakers often pronounce Gnocchi incorrectly and how to say it right!
50 Pictures of Verona, Italy the City of Love
A look at Italy’s “City of Love” with 50 Pictures of Verona including Venetian Gothic and Romanesque architecture, cathedrals, frescos, statues, piazzas and bridges with stunning views.
15 Verona Italy Attractions We Love + One to Skip
15 things to do and see in Verona, Italy including Venetian Gothic architecture, Italy’s most beloved piazza, basilicas, an ancient arena, frescos, controversial statues, and bridges with stunning views.
30 Vacation Inspiration Pictures of Sardinia, Italy
Craving a relaxing beach vacation? Dreaming of eating your way across Italy? Then Sardinia, Italy needs to be on your travel bucket list.
Pictures of Italy | 30 Lake Orta Stunners
Lake Orta, Italy, Why it Will be Your New Favorite Destination
My Favorite Four Pictures of the Italian Alps
Curious what living in the Italian Alps is like? Announcing our latest gallery! 45 pictures of the Italian Alps in spring, summer, fall, and winter in celebration of our first year of Alps Life. Nature Lovers prepare to swoon!
3 Signs Wine is Corked
Check the cork, smell the wine, and if in doubt tasting reveals if wine is corked. Tips on what corked wine smells like, returning it, and what corked wine is.
Can You Really Live in Italy Free for a Year?
A recent Airbnb contest offered a year-long rent-free stay in Italy. Can a foreigner live in Italy? Italy’s 90-day limit + types of long-term stay visas.
20 Funny Ways to Use a Bidet + Stories
From sinking lego ships to watering plants over 20 funny stories and creative uses for bidets. Plus, an SNL video poking fun at strange bidet questions.
At Sottimano Barbaresco is King
Sottimano Winery was named one of the Top 25 Producers of Barbaresco by Forbes. Notes from our Sottimano Winery tour + Wine Cellar Photography & Winery video.
Venice Food Recommendations 20 Restaurants & Cicchetti Bacari
Where to eat in Venice? 2 Italians, 20 Faves! Venice Food Recommendation Map with the best Bacaro for Cicchetti and Restaurants + Venetian Food Videos & Photos.
Top 10 Venetian Foods to Eat in Venice, Italy
Baccalà, Sarde in Saor, and Cicchetti are among the 10 Venetian foods you have to eat at least once in Venice, Italy. Full list + Venetian Food Recipe Videos.
How to Properly Pronounce Cicchetti
Getting ready for a trip to Venice, Italy? Check your Cicchetti pronunciation with a video by native Italian speakers. What Cicchetti are & where to find them.
BardoLesa Italian Alps Winter Event Hilarity
BardoLesa is an annual sled race in Bardonecchia, Italy and it’s a blast. BardoLesa 2022 video, history, and where to get details for future events.
Living in Italy as a Foreigner, the Risk of Chasing La Dolce Vita
My journey from Iowa to Italy summed up in eight minutes. Plus video of a chat with the documentary filmmakers about chasing la dolce vita in Italy.
‘Tied Into Me’ Film Reveals Risks of Moving to Italy
Curious what it’s like to live in Italy? This free virtual event with the filmmakers of ‘Tied Into Me’ a documentary about chasing la dolce vita in Venice, Italy is for you!
Italian Home Renovation | We’re In!
Italian home renovation recap and timeline, plus a look at what living in the Italian Alps for a year is like.
Why Visting an Agriturismo in Italy is a Must for Foodies
If you’re looking to experience the best, most authentic Italian cuisine on your next trip to Italy there is no better place than an Agriturismo. What to expect from Italian Agritourism.
How to Use a Bidet Properly
Informational article with videos on how to use a bidet properly including which way to face (wall vs room) toilet paper, soap, bidet towels, and hand washing.
Why Caciocavallo Podolico is Italy’s Most Expensive Cheese
Caciocavallo Podolico is one of the world’s most expensive cheeses thanks to the Podolica cattle from which its milk and name are derived.
Spoleto Italy a Hidden Gem for Art Lovers
Spoleto is off the beaten tourist track in the lush, rolling green belt of Umbria. The Spoleto Cathedral a Roman theater and the Festival of the Two Worlds await.
Are You Sinking Venice?
‘Tied Into Me’ is a documentary that explores a ubiquitous question “Is Venice Sinking?” through the intimate lens of real-life adventure. Daryl Smith is an Irish expat racing to save his sunken houseboat after the 2019 floods in Venice, Italy. Can he save his dreams and his beloved boat Gina?
How to Properly Pronounce Orecchiette
Orecchiette is one of Puglia’s most popular pastas yet English speakers often pronounce it wrong. Why, tips to pronounce Orecchiette correctly, how Orecchiette is made, plus eight recipes to try it at home.
5 Tips to Learn Italian & Get Speaking!
Speaking is the hardest part of learning Italian. As a language teacher with a Master’s Degree and a kind heart, Gloria Gloria Spagnoli is here to help with five tips to learn to speak Italian.
How to Properly Pronounce Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe is one of Rome’s simplest yet most comforting pasta. How it’s made, tips to pronounce Cacio e Pepe correctly, and where to order it in Rome.
Are Italians Rude?
Why native English-speaking foreigners are sometimes shocked when visiting Italy for the first time. Pros & Cons of life in Italy blog series.
Truth About Renting an Apartment in Italy
The painful truth. Temporary housing & home renovation in Italy during COVID. Renovating Bardonecchia is an Italian Home Reno blog series. Updates every Friday.
Driving in Italy as an American
Why getting a Driver’s license in Italy is hard for English speakers. How to tips + tools to pass the exam. Pros & Cons of life in Italy on ALOR.blog.
Living in Italy for Another Year
Ever dream of living in Italy for a year? Ilene & Gary did! Their book Our Italian Journey: Living our Dream in Italy for One Year recounts the adventure. Ilene shares what it feels like to be a first-time author and what’s next in their Italian journey.