Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America
Grand Lodge of New York

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.