Valle d’Aosta is now part of Italy, but it hasn’t always been. Chris Allsop travels to Italy’s smallest region and discovers a valley beloved of kings, popes, and – of course – skiers… There’s something of the hidden kingdom about the Valle D’Aosta, like an Italian Bhutan (but with a lot more ski lifts). Entering […]
The ability to speak the language will get you so much further in Italy, and where better to learn it? Why not try one of these Language Learning Holidays? CENTRO STUDI ITALIANI Founded in 1986, Centro Studi Italiani is the first school for foreigners in the Marche region. The school has provided Italian language and […]
In the third instalment of her rebuild diaries, Jane Smith begins to add to the foundations for her new house that were laid down by the builders in part 3 of Building a Home in Le Marche… Before taking on this project I had never built a brand new house before and, in truth, once […]
This Roasted vegetables with lentils, mozzarella and mint oil recipe is a great way to use all those summer vegetables that are so fresh and cheap to buy right now. Don’t be shy to try some variations according to what you can find. ➤ Serves 2 ➤ Preparation 10 minutes ➤ Cooking 45 minutes 2 small courgettes 1 small red pepper 1 […]
Lake Fog by Cathy Powell “We were living on Lake Bolsena at the time and my children had just caught the school bus. As I often did, I headed into town to do some shopping, luckily armed with my camera. It was late November when I took this photo and just after 8am. The lakeside […]
Venice by Stephen Fryers “I had lived in the Ventian lagoon in the late ‘90s but had not returned to the island for well over 12 years, until a recent business trip allowed me to go back. I was lucky to have a Sunday free and the weather in December played ball with one of […]
Renaissance towers, arcaded porticos and a cuisine to die for – Bologna is the perfect alternative to the north’s more famous destinations. Marina Spironetti reports… Bologna, a hedonistic city for connoisseurs, can be underestimated by the average tourist, who often sees it only from the train window on the journey from Venice or the lakes […]
Young, fruity wines, healthy lake fish, mineral mountain waters and a boom in wellness hotels. Charlotte Lyon finds everything you need to relax and rejuvenate at the serene town of Bardolino on Lake Garda… Looking into the bathroom mirror as I step off the three-hour flight from Gatwick to Verona, I do a double-take. Is that really me? The pallid skin, […]
This wonderful grissini recipe was sent to us by our friends at Relais san Pietro in Polvano, Tuscany… Ingredients For the Grissini 500 g Focaccia mix flour 50 g Brewer’s yeast 40 ml Olive oil 220 ml Water To decorate: Sesame or poppy seeds ——————————————————————————————- Knead all the ingredients together well or mix using a bread […]
In 1910 a new car manufacturer was formed, launching its first vehicle, the A.L.F.A 24HP. What was A.L.F.A went on to become Alfa Romeo, one of Italy’s producers of design icons… Who hasn’t, at some point, hankered after an Alfa Romeo? Anyone who has petrol rather than blood running through their veins will appreciate the […]