Francesca Unsworth heads to Italy’s capital of fashion to discover whether sartorial elegance is just a pastime for Milan’s residents or if it has become part of everyday life In Milan’s city centre you can’t swing a Prada bag without hitting a passer-by toting top-to-tail designer clobber. In the same way that LA is a […]
The marble sculptures on Rome’s altar of absolute peace attract visitors because of their beauty, but their origins lie in celebrating the victories of Emperor Augustus… The Ara Pacis Augustae, or altar to the absolute peace, was commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13BC, and in 9BC was dedicated to the peace established by Emperor […]
When it comes to works of religious art, the Medici chapel in Florence has plenty to offer. Take a closer look at the history behind the paintings with Marina Belozerskaya Classical stories and portraits graced the homes of rich and self-consciously enlightened Florentines, but by far the most common household images were the Madonna and […]
This lamb and potato stew is simple to prepare, but you will need to stay close to it because the stock needs to be added gradually to -prevent boiling the meat. Once the potatoes are added do not stir, as this will mash them. Lamb and Potato Stew – Spezzattino d’agnello con Patate Serves 10-12 […]
The Carnival of Ivrea in Piedmont boasts a unique and intriguing element that sets it apart from other Italian festivals… the Battle of the Oranges Like all Italian carnivals, that of Ivrea is a feast of colour and spectacle. However, people come from far and wide to enjoy a particularly unusual element as nine competing […]
From the sweet and fruity to the bitter and boisterous, Italy has an impressive heritage of alcoholic tipples. We had a lot of fun picking our five of the best… Grappa One of Italy’s oldest alcoholic drinks, historians speculate that grappa may have been around for up to 1,500 years. It was probably developed in […]
Take a look at this inspiring selection of travel essentials, gadgets, gizmos and kits, all available to the weary traveller. What will you choose to help turn a trying trip into a dream destination? You’ve packed your clothes, reading books, favourite sun hat and passport and, of course, your shades. Could you have missed an […]
Speaking Italian isn’t all about cramming verbs and vocabulary as Amanda Robinson discovers when she takes a language course with a difference in the heart of Le Marche. The fragrant aroma of our morning caffè rises up from the iron lattice table, strewn with notebooks and dictionaries as we wrestle with the basics of Italian. A […]
Piedmont lies in the far northwest of Italy and gets its name from its location at the ‘foot of the mountains’ It is bordered by Alpine ranges offering plenty of winter sports, making it a popular and long-established mecca for ski enthusiasts. The flat plains below the mountain ranges are an important centre for industry […]
The second part in the series, click here for part 1 of Hidden Rome Previously, we visited one of the earliest surviving Christian ruins in Rome and Nero’s summer residence, Domus Aurea. This week we relax in the open spaces at the Diocletian baths and investigate the the mysterious and tragic stories behind the tombstones at Campo Cestio, the […]