Gazzetta Italia: Title win sparks joy in Naples

maradona mural

In this edition of our bilingual feature, Tom Alberto Bull reflects on SSC Napoli’s first Scudetto since the days of Diego Maradona… KEY WORDS Useful Italian words and phrases to add to your vocabulary Il lutto collettivo Collective mourning Il mitico giocatore The legendary player In tutta la città All over the city Il modo […]

Courgette Flower and Gorgonzola Risotto

courgette flower and gorgonzola risotto

This courgette flower and gorgonzola risotto is a perfect recipe for a simple but stunning dinner. If you can’t get hold of courgette flowers, pumpkin makes a fine substitution. There are no shortcuts for making a good risotto. Good quality homemade stock makes the world of difference, as does a good quality variety of rice. […]

5 best Italian walks

family walking in tuscany

Take a stroll (or a hike) through our five favourite spots for Italian walks… 1. Via Ferrata (SOSAT), Brenta Dolomites, Trentino Alto Adige. Italian walks don’t get much more stunning than this. The Dolomites are liberally scattered with vie ferrate, or ‘iron paths’ – high mountain routes with fixed climbing aids to help walkers negotiate […]

Polenta Pizza Margherita Recipe

Polenta Pizza Margherita Recipe

A staple with ancient origins, polenta has now found favour around the world. Mario Matassa demonstrates how wonderfully versatile it can be in this recipe for polenta pizza margherita Polenta is perhaps one of the oldest dishes known to Italy. Made originally from any pulse – often a mix of spelt and rye – it […]

Leaders of the Pack: symbolism of the wolf in Italy

wolf in snow in italy

From its mythical role in the formation of Rome to its presence in the wild today, the wolf is an iconic symbol of Italy. Jenny Oldaker goes on the trail of this elusive predator. No animal in Italy is quite so culturally significant – or so divisive – as the wolf, and myths surrounding the […]

5 foodie reasons to visit Bologna

Characteristic food shops in the historic center of Bologna

Discover the delicious reasons to visit Bologna in Emilia-Romagna … 1. Authentic ragù When you think of Bologna, Bolognese sauce may spring to mind – but you won’t ever find it teamed with spaghetti in this city. This is a common misconception that spread across Europe and the United States when the ragù left its […]

Polenta with black bean and spicy sausage stew

polenta with black bean and spicy sausage stew

A staple with ancient origins, polenta has now found favour around the world. Mario Matassa demonstrates how wonderfully versatile it can be in this recipe for polenta with black bean and spicy sausage stew. Cooking polenta There’s good news and there’s bad news. I always like to start with the latter, as it pays to […]

Gazetta Italia: Love your leftovers

leftovers in fridge

In this edition of our bilingual feature, Tom Alberto Bull looks at how Italians are saving money by turning to old techniques for leftovers in the kitchen. KEY WORDS Useful Italian words and phrases to add to your vocabulary. Il aumento dei costi Rising costs Dove possibile Where possible I metodi tradizionali Traditional methods Il […]

Glimpses of Christmas Past: Photos from Verona 2019

The Christmas star flies from the arena to piazza bra in verona

Joe and Patricia Gartman have spent the Christmas seasons from 2017 to 2019 in Italy. Here are photos from their time in Verona in 2019 A prosperous modern city of medieval squares, Verona has several historical claims to fame. It’s the town where Romeo and Juliet lived, loved, and, alas (spoiler alert) died. It’s where […]

Glimpses of Christmas Past: Photos from Sorrento 2018

Workers club presepe in sorrento

Joe and Patricia Gartman have spent the Christmas seasons from 2017 to 2019 in Italy. Here are photos from their time in Sorrento in 2018. Perched on top of sheer cliffs, high above the Bay of Naples, Sorrento provides an abundance of picturesque charm, history, views, cafés, summer sunshine and lemon-scented air. It’s also the […]