Swordfish with capers, pine nuts and lemon

swordfish

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 […]

Anchovies alla Vernazza

anchovies

If you like anchovies (alici in Italian), try this recipe from Mario Matassa, which would also work well with sardines… Anchovies are the most commonly served fish in the Cinque Terre, often simply marinated in lemon juice as an antipasto – this is a great way to serve them: Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time […]

Trofie with leeks, tomatoes and basil

trofie pasta

Mario Matassa’s recipe for trofie with leeks, tomatoes and basil is a delicious taste of Liguria – known in Italian as trofie alle ligure The area around Cinque Terre, Liguria has a long-standing tradition of dried pasta. Trenette, long, thin linguine-like pasta, are served with pesto, potatoes and green beans. Equally popular today are trofie, […]

Tastes of Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre

Mario Matassa brings us some of the best culinary delights from this beautiful stretch of the Ligurian coast – including some exquisite ways to cook fresh fish… With its tiny bays, little ports and multicoloured houses, the Cinque Terre is a landscape image that stands among the finest Italy has to offer. This little stretch […]

Ostuni dining guide (and beyond!)

Jon Bickley shares his guide to the best places to eat in Ostuni in Puglia – with a few highlights from the nearby area too… Photos by Jon Bickley Ristorante Antiche Mura Cosy little restaurant (left) specialising in fresh fish (closed on Tuesdays). Via Roma, 11 – 70044 Polignano a Mare Ristorante Trullo d’Oro A […]

Return to Puglia

Fifteen years since he lasted visited, Jon Bickley returns to Puglia for a short stay with his wife and friends. Photos by Jon Bickley, unless otherwise stated   I’ve been privileged to have been involved with Italia! magazine for some 15 years, since we first launched in 2004. During that time I’ve visited a variety […]

Viewpoint: Santuario Madonna della Corona

Madonna Della Corona

This is obviously quite an unusual place to build a church, but the story of why the Santuario Madonna della Corona is here is even more unusual… Photo by Getty Images The people of Monte Baldo were baffled by a light emanating from a point in the cliff face where there was no house. They […]

Veneto regional property guide

Fleur Kinson explores the best places to buy property in this popular northern region, which encompasses such jewels and Venice, Verona and Padua – not to mention swathes of lovely countryside Photos by Getty Images Veneto, tucked away in the northeast of Italy, is romantic and prosperous in equal measure. Home to 5 million inhabitants, […]

Homes in Veneto

Torri del Benaco, Veneto

Romantic little cities, sleepy hills, shimmering rivers and long Adriatic beaches – Veneto has no shortage of enchantment. Seekers of urban apartments and of rural retreats should take a closer look, says Fleur Kinson Photos by Getty Images   You’re a well-travelled italophile. You know all about Venice, and Romeo and Juliet’s Verona. But you […]

Avoiding Bernini in Rome

The sculptor and architect created many of Rome’s most iconic sights – you can hardly take a selfie without him bombing you. Words by Joe Gartman, photos by Patricia Gartman   Let us imagine that you are standing in Piazza Barberini, in Rome, gazing at the famous Triton fountain. Triton, the giant son of Poseidon […]