The place of Italy in civilization is best shown by trying to subtract that place from world history. Take away her scientific accomplishments, her statesmanship, her leadership of the world for many years and what do you have left? The world looks badly decapitated. You can subtract Italian culture from civilization only by destroying that civilization.
~ Nicholas Bulter, 1862-1947

Exciting things are transpiring in New York State OSIA. The vast number of supporting activities held and scheduled for Italian heritage and culture has been overwhelming. Our people continue to exude a true sense of pride in maintaining their connection to their Italian heritage, culture and language. This is no small measure, as the demands and pressures of life, family, business and well-being surround us and require our attention.  We are pleased to provide a list of resources to enhance your pursuit of “things Italian.

RESOURCES
Sons of Italy Links

• Sons of Italy National Site
• Garibaldi Meucci Museum

Cultural Links

• Italian Cultural Institute
• International E-Corner: Italy
• Italia Mia

Internet Links

• Italian Search Engine – Yahoo Italia
• Italian E-Greetings
• Ellis Island Records
• Learn Italian Online

Italian Newspapers Links

• Corriere della Sera
• La Repubblica
• La Stampa

Italian Government Links

• Governo Italiano - Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri
• Presidenza della Repubblica
• Consulate General of Italy in New York

Music

• Giuseppe Taormina
• Lyrics to Italian Music
• Lyrics to Italian Folk Music

Universities

• SUNY Stony Brook -Center for Italian Studies
• New York University -Department of Italian Studies
• Queens College -John D. Calandra Institute
• Columbia University -Department of Italian

ACCOMODATION:

• http://www.agriturismo.it/ Farmhouses in Italy
• http://www.agriturismo.regione.toscana.it/ Farmhouses in Tuscany-Florence
  
• http://www.casa.it/ Buy/Rent a House in Italy
  
• http://www.guidacampeggi.com/ Camping in Italy

BUSINESS SITES

• http://www.eurocambi.com/ Euro Converter
  
• http://www.globalrefund.com/ Tax Free VAT Information
  
• http://www.italtrade.com/ Italian Trade Commission

ENTERTAINMENT:

• http://www.arena.it/ Arena di Verona
  
• http://www.carnivalofvenice.com/index.asp?lang=UK Carnival of Venice
  
• http://www.labiennale.org/ Biennale of Venice
  
• http://www.parks.it/ Parks of Italy
  
• http://www.rcs.amalficoast.it/ Ravello Classical Music Festival
  
• http://www.ravennafestival.org/ Ravenna Festival
  
• http://www.teatroallascala.org/public/LaScala/index.html La Scala Milano
  
• http://www.maggiofiorentino.com/index_ita.shtml Opera Florence
  
• http://www.operabase.com/ Opera Worldwide

MUSEUMS:

• http://www.christusrex.org/www1/vaticano/0-Musei.html Vatican Museum
  
• http://www.museionline.it/ Museums of Italy
  
• http://www.museumland.com/ Museums of Italy
  
• http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/musei/uffizi/ Uffizi Gallery-Florence
  
• http://www.torre.duomo.pisa.it/index_eng.html Tower of Pisa
  
• http://www.venicecard.it/default_ita.jsp Venice Museums/Transportation Card

REFERENCE SITES:

• http://www.paginebianche.it/index.html White Pages of Italy
  
• http://www.paginegialle.it/index.html Yellow Pages of Italy

SPECIFIC CITIES/REGIONS:

• http://www.romaturismo.com/v2/en/main.asp Rome
  
• http://www.regione.sicilia.it/turismo/web_turismo/ Sicily
  
• http://www.turismo.toscana.it/new/index.html Tuscany
  
• http://www.toscanapromozione.it/ita/ Tuscany Promotion
  
• http://www.firenzeturismo.it/Categorie/HomePage.asp?IDCategoria+1 Florence
  
• http://www.cm-mugello.fi.it/ Florence/Mugello
  
• http://www.milanoinfotourist.com/home.htm Milan
  
• http://www.inaples.it/ Naples
  
• http://www.positanonline.it/ Positano
  
• http://www.capritourism.com/ Capri
  
• http://www.costadiamalfi.it Amalfi Coast
  
• http://www.lagodicomo.com/italia/index.php Lake Como
  
• http://www.lagomaggiore.net Lake Maggiore
  
• http://www.gardalake.it/ Lake Garda
  
• http://www.lagodiseo.org Lake d’Iseo
  
• http://www.dolomiti.com Dolomites
  
• http://www.global.umbria2000.it/ciecm/umbria.htm Umbria
  
• http://www.torino2006.org Winter Olympics 2006
  
• http://www.taormina.it/ Taormina
  
• http://www.palermotourism.com/default_ita.asp Palermo
  
• http://www.aptcinqueterre.sp.it/ Cinque Terre
  

TRANSPORTATION:

• http://www.actv.it/ Water Bus in Venice
  
• http://www.atac.roma.it/ Public Transportation in Rome
  
• http://www.sena.it/ Bus Information for many Regions
  
• http://www.autostrade.it The Italian Highways
  
• http://www.faehreonline.com/traghetti/taf?lang=UK Ferry Information and Schedules
  
• http://www.sita-on-line.it/ Bus Information Tuscany and around
  
• http://www.trenitalia.com/ Italian Rail Official Web Site
  
• http://www.ferrovienord.it/webmxp/ Shuttle Train Malpensa Airport, Milan

INTERNATIONAL WEBSITES:

• http://www.italconsulnyc.org/ Italian Consulate New York
  
• http://www.italyemb.org Italian Embassy in Washington, DC
  
• http://www.italiantourism.com/ Italian Government Tourist Board

ETYMOLOGY:

The etymology of the word HERITAGE is Middle English from Middle French, heriter to inherit, from Late Latin hereditare, from Latin hered-, heres heir and is defined as a: property that descends to an heir; b: something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor; and c: something possessed as a result of one’s natural situation or birth.

The etymology of the word CULTURE is from the Latin, cultura, and is defined as a: the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon man’s capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations; b: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; and, c: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that characterizes a social group.