LITTLE ITALY
GUIDED WALKING TOUR
A thrilling experience with your Italian guides from
Little Italy Tourism that will take guests into a magical world of Little Italy neighborhood history. From 1871
to the 21st century, the story of Little Italy, San Diego has been one of hope and despair, growth and decline, genesis
and exodus and today--renaissance. You will laugh, maybe even shed a tear, but you will never forget the tale of the local
Italians who labored to build one of San Diego's great industries of old. Guests wear state of the art wireless headsets to
hear the tour in FM quality sound.
A progressive lunch is included at two fabulous restaurants and cafes
owned by the famous Busalacchi family. Our package includes our ever popular guided tour and visits to a landmark
Italian grocery, an Italian pastry/gelato shop, Little Italy's historic Catholic church built in 1925 and an Italian
gift shop on the parish grounds plus free time for browsing in this charming historic community.
BOCCE BALL
| BOCCE BALL AT AMICI PARK |
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| GROUPS JUST LOVE THIS ACTIVITY! |
This popular day program really gives guests the feeling of being
in Italy. Upon arrival guests will enjoy a no host visit to an authentic Italian coffee bar. This unique
day trip offers guests a chance to learn and play the ancient and extremely popular game of bocce ball at Little
Italy's Amici (friends) Park all supervised by our bocce expert, Umberto from Sicily. It's fun and easy--no prior
experience is necessary. Bocce ball is the world's oldest sport (bocce ball) dating
back 5000 years to ancient Egypt !
Little Italy Wine Tasting
Wine has been an integral part of Italian living since before the Caesars. Guests will enjoy a celebratory
wine tasting where several wines from Italy will be featured, sampled and discussed. There will also be a very nice antipasti
bar with a lovely array of Italian goodies.
Little Italy Cooking Demonstration
Chef Nino Zizzo of the Busalacchi Restaurant Group will dazzle guests with
his showmanship and humor as he takes us into a world of Sicilian cooking. Guests relax and watch as our chef creates a fabulous
Sicilian meal before their eyes. All of our staff wear a microphone to ensure that you won't miss any of the details presented
during the program. And guests can communicate with the chef during the presentation. Light refreshments are served and you'll
get a sample size tasting portion of each item.
Finding JOY
in everyday living--the Italian Way... The Italian lifestyle seems to be a very popular subject of recent American movies and books. Many authors
are giving their interpretation of Italian life and what makes it so special, often making people desire to move to Italy
or, alternatively, figure out a way to bring Italy where they are. For many, it is a life-long fascination. So, what makes Italian lifestyle so unique and interesting? It is said that Italians
have a thirst for living. Can the joy of living the Italian way be exported and duplicated somewhere else even by
those who are not Italian but want to live life to the fullest?? Join
us for this inspiring PowerPoint multimedia presentation and hear stories of how recent Italian immigrants keep their lifestyle
alive far from their country, out in the globalized world--showing us the way. Our featured speaker is Maria Maestrini from
the Italian Cultural Center. She is a native of Torino and recently received her Masters Degree in Italy in the Promotion
of Italian Culture Abroad. LITTLE ITALY PUPPET SHOW at Po Pazzo Ristorante
In Italy, dating back to the 15th century and continued in
Little Italy's in America in the early 20th century, the Marionette Puppet Theater entertained audiences with scenes
of great chivalrous acts and miracles recounted--inspiring Italian audiences. Today in Little Italy, San Diego--this tradition
continues--at the elegant Po Pazzo Ristorante--located in Little Italy's old neighborhood theatre once known as the Avalon.
A progressive group dining experience is part of the package at two popular Little Italy eateries.
Circus Minimus
is a marionette circus that follows in this grand tradition. This light hearted, colorful and fun ten act show with music
features a full troupe of talented puppet performers, Tumbalino the acrobat, Giuseppe the trapeze artist, Blocko the weight
lifting strongman and Maestro Ratonini the great musician who performs for you in concert with the circus orchestra---to name
just a few.
After the show, have a close-up
look at a nearly life size marionette imported from Sicily.
Join
us for a one of a kind performance that is guaranteed put a smile on your face.
Eating
out should be an experience: part entertainment, part theater, and of course, all fun... The Fascinating World of Italian Culture, Gestures and Expression
Our
Italy experts from the Italian Cultural Center, Laura (from Rome) and Maria (from Torino) will lead us into the
fascinating world of Italian culture and communication. This entertaining and fast moving PowerPoint lecture will
explore the differences between the Italian and the American culture and the distinct peculiarities i.e. (idioms and figures
of speech) that give us a glimpse into understanding the Italian mind-set. There is actually a way to speak Italian
without words and this fun lecture shows us why the Italians are also the world champions of non verbal communication. Guests
will also learn a few Italian words and phrases.
A festive Italian lunch and dessert in Little
Italy will be served followed by the lecture and Q&A.
Aperitivo--eating, drinking and socializing the Italian way. Often mistaken for Happy Hour, Aperitivo in Italy truly is a unique
social event with deep roots in history. Discover how Italians drink, eat and socialize during this one of a kind social
happening which has become a staple of modern Italian lifestyle. We will take you through the history of Aperitivo from
Medieval times to Modern times, tell you about the food, the drinks, the occasions, the venues and even the rivalry between
Torino and Milano both cities claiming to have invented it. Our experts from Italy who teach at the nearby Italian
Cultural Center, will share a Powerpoint presentation which will both entertain and give you some ideas for your next cocktail
party! ITALIANS AND THEIR BREAD Bread is the most ancient food of humanity and it is the only food that all civilizations
have in common. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that Italians have a very strong connection with bread in all of its
variations. "Pane quotidiano" in Italian means "daily bread", and it says it all: bread is a daily must
in Italian culinary habits and lifestyle. It is deeply connected to ancient mythology, religion and history alike and Italians
have elevated bread making to an art. The basic ingredients are four: flour, water, yeast and salt; yet there are an estimated
1,500 types of bread throughout Italy! In this lecture we will learn about the history of bread in the Italian culture, how
current rituals, habits, and idioms are deeply connected to ancient times and modern history. Maria or Laura, our experts
from the Italian Cultural Center, will share many interesting facts, proverbs and tidbits about Italian breads,
Italian bakeries and the art of bread making. Join us for a special celebration of Italian culture through a presentation
of the simplest of Italian pleasures.
EATING AND FOOD SHOPPING THE ITALIAN WAY
Italians have a passion for fresh food and few nations in the world can compare to the zeal in which Italians
shop for their meals. Our scheduled PowerPoint lecture will feature our Italian experts from the Italian Cultural
Center, Laura (from Rome) and Maria (from Torino) who will explain the world of Italian rituals, regional and seasonal
cooking and food shopping 'all Italiana.' We'll learn the Italian way of keeping our family healthy with the Mediterranean
diet. Guests will be apprised of the differences and peculiarities of the people of Italy when it comes to their unique
ways of perusing local markets for the freshest and most traditional foods. Following a festive lunch at a neighborhood
Italian restaurant and the lecture, guests will also have free time with our guide to check out a landmark Italian grocery
store, an Italian pastry shop and a Sicilian bakery.
Better safe than sorry! – gently
making fun of Italian superstitions. Italians
are known to be very superstitious. What brings good or bad luck? How do Italians deal with black cats, open ladders and spilled
salt? What is the deal with horns? Join us for an entertaining PowerPoint presentation and learn why in Italy one does not
knock on wood, but looks for iron, doesn’t wish good luck, but sends you "in the mouth of the wolf", and never
tells a parent their baby is beautiful! In this fabulous multimedia presentation, Maria or Laura, our experts from
the Italian Cultural Center, will lead us on an exploration into the world of ancient Italian traditions and help explain
where superstitions actually come from...
| Christmas in Little Italy, San Diego |
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Italian Christmas Traditions
Italian Christmas traditions have deep roots both in the Catholic and pagan worlds. Everything has a meaning and
a very ancient history from what Italians eat to what Italians do to celebrate the holidays. In this delightful multimedia
presentation given by our experts from Italy and the nearby Italian Cultural Center, guests will discover the origins of the
Italian winter holidays: why do kids wait for the Christmas witch? And who is she? What do Italians eat and when? Where do
they go and what kinds of feasts and celebrations do they like during December and January? What are the origins of the tree and
nativity scene and where do they come from? Come enjoy this magical time of the year with us and learn all about Italian Christmas
traditions and how Italians enjoy them. Buon Natale e' Felice Anno Nuovo! Groups will also have a chance to see Little Italy's giant Christmas tree and to visit Little Italy's historic Italian
church to see their
life-size nativity scene. Time
for browsing at Little Italy's charming shops, boutiques and landmark food emporiums--all decked out for the holidays! Plus--hear all your Christmas musical favorites with an accordion serenade for your group by the
great Louis Fanucchi!
LISTEN TO A SAMPLING OF THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC YOUR GROUP WILL HEAR AS PART OF OUR CHRISTMAS IN LITTLE ITALY PROGRAM
Little Italy's most requested mandolin player, Carmelo
Sarcone, will serenade guests with soothing Italian background music. He is attired in a traditional Sicilian
minstrel costume during his performance. Carmelo's music has been featured in major motion pictures and at the San Diego
Symphony. Carmelo has thrilled audiences at countless Italian festivals all over California. He is a classically trained musician
whose renditions of beloved Italian melodies will add a special touch to your group event in Little Italy.
Sample of the sound of the mandolin... (Torna a Sorrento)
| THE LEGENDARY LOU FANUCCHI |
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| MASTER OF THE ACCORDION |
Lou Fanucchi grew up in San Diego's Italian-American neighborhood
and has risen to become one of the country's top accordion players. Lou Fanucchi's
versatility has opened many opportunities to perform with prominent artists during his career. He has shared venues and performed
with many great artists like Luciano Pavarotti, Frankie Laine, Dick Contino, Bette Midler, Frankie Valli and Jerry Vale to
name just a few. Fanucchi is currently resident accordionist for The San Diego Symphony and and all major theatrical companies
in San Diego.
Hear Lou Fanucchi play La Campanella...
| DANIELE SPADAVECCHIA |
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| THE SOUNDS OF SICILIAN SWING |
Hear Daniele sing Boccuccia di Rosa...
Hear Daniele sing Oh Marie...
Daniele Spadavecchia was born and raised in Alessandria, Italy. He started
playing guitar at the age of 16 as a self-taught in local bands, and also taking private guitar and singing classes. He has
been performing professionally since 1992.
His charming and joyful presence on stage brings
the listener into the musical journey Daniele went through in his life. His deep knowledge of blues and R&B, traditional
jazz, gypsy jazz, and all that relates to the Mediterranean basin, including his Italian roots.
He performed for 14 years in Italy, from the Alps to Naples, before moving to New Orleans, the city of his dreams and
on to San Diego.
Daniele has taken part in many important events including the New Orleans Jazz
and Heritage festival in 2005 and 2009, Italian American festivals in Washington DC, New Orleans and San Diego. along with
radio and TV appearances.
Visit Little Italy's charming Italian grocery stores, Italian bread,
pasta and pastry shops. Our staff from Italy is on hand to make sure you get the best of everything the neighborhood has to offer.
VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHURCH IN LITTLE ITALY
This may take a few
minutes to download, but it is worth the wait!
To look around, you can:
1.
Click and drag your mouse on the image 2. Use the navigation buttons in the image
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