Mario Matassa reveals the secrets of Italian festive food. Though Christmas Day provides the climax of the occasion, the Christmas Eve feast provides the perfect opportunity to warm up for the big event Photos by Mario Matassa Festive holidays are always special occasions in Italy, and none more so than Christmas. In a country where […]
Free of the summer’s foreign tourists, but no less lively, Sorrento is a beautiful place to be at Christmas – here’s why it’s a perfect festive destination… Words and photos by Fleur Kinson The Christmas period seems to come earlier and earlier in Britain, with shops piled high with gifts, tinsel and crackers long […]
Here are our favourite photos of Italy from Italia! readers this month. Read on to find out our photo winner and runners-up for December… This month’s winner: “Beautiful crisp winter morning on Lago Trasimeno with the snow-capped hills in the distance seen through a memorial sculpture, best view in all Umbria!” by Stuart Moore, Rochdale […]
Valentina Nicastro brings us some of her favourite places to stay, eat and visit in Molise – a little-known region of Italy that deserves to be better known… Where to eat Osteria Paradiso An institution in Isernia, serving excellent homemade food from the Molise area. Top dishes include sagne with fagioli (left) – hand-made pasta with […]
Even here at Italia! we have rarely featured Molise, yet this unsung destination is deserving of your attention. Words and pictures by Valentina Nicastro You’re going where?” This is what friends kept asking me when I proudly announced my decision to visit Molise. Why? Because this small region overshadowed by neighbouring Puglia, Campania, Lazio and Abruzzo […]
For a Christmas break with a difference, join Rachael Martin as she heads to Milan and nearby Lake Como to soak up the festive atmosphere… Milan photos by Comune di Milano unless otherwise stated 1. Christmas starts early in Milan with the Sant’Ambrogio festival On 7 December it is the feast day of Milan’s patron […]
‘Tis the season to enjoy some quality Italian fizz. there’s more sparkling wine variety in Italy than you might expect, and it’s pretty budget-friendly too! Despite the ubiquity of prosecco these days, much more excellent Italian fizz exists that historically didn’t get far beyond the regions in which it was produced. But the international market […]
Issue 182 of Italia! ushers in the new year with a wealth of inspiration for everyone who loves Italy. From a weekend break in Trento to a culinary cruise on Venice’s lagoon and carnival celebrations in Aosta, there’s plenty to help you plan your next adventure. You’ll also find tempting Italian homes to buy, the […]
This recipe for canestrelli biscuits makes it easy to create this tasty Ligurian treat – Mario Matassa shares his technique to show us how its done… These biscotti would traditionally have been twice cooked (bis-cotti), resulting in a crisp exterior and crumbly interior. Canestrelli can be bought today, fresh from the ovens, in any good […]
This delicious swordfish dish (pesce spada alla ligure) from Mario Matassa is a treat for seafood fans, and a real taste of northern Italy Throughout Liguria, capers, pine nuts and lemons are used to flavour and garnish dishes – as in this swordfish dish. It’s always best to use unwaxed, organic lemons: Serves 4 Preparation time […]