Looking for a way to revitalise last night’s leftover veggies? This isn’t it. However, this Italian phrase might come in handy when describing your friend’s rekindled ‘relationship’… The Italian phrase “cavoli riscaldati” is an interesting idiom that literally translates to “reheated cabbage.” However, its meaning goes well beyond this literal translation. It is commonly used […]
Focaccia con peperoni e mozzarella As the days get warmer and the nights shorter, Italians take to one of their favourite pastimes: eating outdoors. The key to a successful summer evening party is to organise a menu that can mostly be prepared in advance. This focaccia recipe doesn’t require any kneading. It does have to […]
After two years of pandemic-imposed travel restrictions, Lorenza Bacino enjoys an extended trip to Lake Como, the Cinque Terre and Sardinia with her teenage daughter… It was with some trepidation that I embarked upon a month-long trip with my 16-year-old daughter as a post-exam treat. She’d been involved in the decision-making from the start, using […]
‘Braccine corte‘ means ‘short arms’, but if someone tells you “Avere le braccine corte“, they’re not referring to the length of your appendages… The Italian phrase “Avere le braccine corte” is an interesting idiom that literally translates to “to have short arms.” However, if someone tells you this, they are not commenting on the length […]
Among the nature and hilltop villages of Italy’s green heartland, Amy McPherson discovers that travelling slowly on foot means seeing and experiencing more… There is something very precious about the steps we take, knowing that thousands have taken the same steps before us, hundreds of years ago. Their mission was to follow a spiritual path, […]
Squeeze every last drop of flavour from your plate with the Italian tradition of “fare la scarpetta” “Fare la scarpetta” is a unique Italian phrase that embodies the country’s culinary and cultural traditions. The literal translation of the phrase is “do the little shoe,” but it’s used to describe the act of cleaning the plate […]
From tracking Italy’s ‘big five’ to honing your photography skills or wild volunteering, Italy offers a wealth of travel opportunities to bring you closer to the natural world, says Jenny Oldaker… You’ve seen the treasures of the Renaissance in Florence, marvelled at Rome’s ancient history and been awestruck by Amalfi’s glittering coastline. What next? Italy […]
Matilda of Canossa, Countess of Tuscany, left a legacy of church-building that has lasted a thousand years… Italia! Women #1: Matilda of Canossa (1046-1115) Revered as La Gran Contessa, Matilda of Canossa was one of the most powerful nobles in Italy and her legacy is built in stone – quite literally. But under normal circumstances […]
In this edition of our bilingual feature, Tom Alberto Bull invites you to a hand of Burraco, the card game that’s become all the rage in Italy KEY WORDS Useful Italian words and phrases to add to your vocabulary Fare il quarto/la quarta To make up a foursome Un gioco di carte A card game […]
Cinque Terre is pretty as a picture, but a colourful coast and stunning scenery aren’t the only things offered by these vibrant seaside villages. Discover five delicious reasons to visit Cinque Terre… 1. Luscious lemons One sight you can’t fail to notice throughout the rugged terrain of Cinque Terre is the many lemon trees that […]