The Region of the Marches, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, is lesser known than other regions, but there is lots to see here, with its long coastline and jewel-like cities.

Join Marika and Daniela in Rome. They're at the Forum talking of its fascinating history.

Daniela and Marika take us to the Colosseum in Rome and tell us about when it was built, who had it built, how it got its name, what it was made of, etc. And, don't miss the next video where they go inside!

In Roman times, what exactly went on in the Colosseum? And why is the central part called "arena?" Marika and Daniela take you on a fascinating journey back to the times of the gladiators.

Marika and Daniela tell us about the horrors that went on inside the Colosseum in Roman times, but also about the special, more peace-loving role the Colosseum has today. Discover, among other things, where the the gesture of thumbs down comes from!

Are you curious to hear about Carnival celebrations in Italy? Marika describes for us some of the traditions and curiosities.

Are you familiar with any of the famous characters from the Commedia dell'Arte? And, what about "chats" that are a fantastic taste treat. Marika will tell you all about them.

2015 is an exciting year for Italy, because this year's Expo is in Milan. Marika was lucky enough to go, and she's eager to share her experience with you. But first she gives you a little background on how the Expo got started as a phenomenon.

Marika shares her impressions and her bubbling enthusiasm for the Expo 2015 held in Milan until the October thirty-first of this year. We hope you get the chance to go!

In Italy, August is the warmest month, and most Italians try to go on vacation for at least part of the month. The most important vacation day is August 15th, called Ferragosto.

People often wonder where the name ferragosto comes from, as well as the holiday itself. Marika fills us in with its fascinating history and evolution.

Me Ne Frego [I don't give a damn], was one of the mottoes of Fascism, coming originally from the writings of Gabriele d'Annunzio and employed by storm troops during World War One as a war cry for courage and daring, with the meaning, "I don't mind dying for freedom." The motto gives the title to this documentary about the influences of Italian Fascism on the Italian language. It was produced by the Istituto Luce Cinecittà, with materials from the historical Luce archives, and narrates the obscure attempt by the Fascist regime to create a new and unique language, a new “Italian” that fit the dogma of the dictatorship.

Mussolini forbade the use of dialects and the minority languages that were spoken in the regions bordering the countries to the north in favor of one language for all. Italians were bombarded by fascist propaganda and Mussolini's very frequent speeches.

In World War I, Italians who up until then had spoken their regional dialects, found themselves fighting side by side against a common enemy. But Mussolini was interested in fighting the internal enemy.

The segment looks at how Mussolini patterned his fiercely nationalist rhetoric after poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, while harkening back to the glory of Imperial Rome. The song in the segment refers to Balilla, an 18th century Genoese boy. In 1746, Balilla threw a stone at an Austrian official of the occupying Hapsburg Empire, which led to the War of the Austrian Succession.