Family Holiday in Florence

Liz Harper gets the balance just right on a family holiday in Florence, as her young daughter Molly enjoys a uniquely educational treasure hunt? Taking a bite of the pizza she?d just created with the help of our hotel?s executive chef, my daughter Molly proclaimed it fantastico. No further words left her mouth until her […]

Italian White Wine: Gavi

Known for its majestic red wines, Piedmont is often overlooked when it comes to Italian white wines. But why? Paul Pettengale introduces you to the surprise hit of Gavi… The people of Piedmont are fiercely passionate about their region. And with good reason. Even though the north western area is cooler than the country?s southern […]

Hotel Highlights in Tuscany

This month we showcase the most stylish retreats in the popular region of Tuscany, starting with a traditional family run hotel that offers a slice of slow Italian living? LOCANDA LE BOSCARECCE (HOTEL) A sparkling star in Tuscany?s firmament. Susanna is full of life and laughter, and her daughter Swan is equally warm. Susanna, or […]

Italian Passata Review

This simple ingredient has always been important for the Italian cook, so we embarked on a mission to discover the best Italian passata possible with these seven candidates. At the end of summer, when tomatoes are at their ripest and most tempting, growers all over Italy will be harvesting and cooking them into passata to […]

San Daniele Delights

Hannah Bellis visits the home of Prosciutto di San Daniele for sensational alpine scenery, wonderful local bars and the melt in the mouth ham that Italians want to keep to themselves… What?s the best reason to visit a place? Every region of Italy has something to recommend itself. Visitors are drawn by the culture, the […]

Italian Kitchen Review

Anna Del Conte brings Italy to your kitchen and brightens up your cookery skills in her new book, Italian Kitchen… Italian Kitchen by Anna Del Conte, Square Peg, ?20 (hardback) This is one of those recipe books where you start marking your favourite pages, only to discover that ultimately you have littered the whole book […]

Holiday in Italy: A Weekend in Rome

In a memorable visit to Rome, Mark Nicholls reflects on the absorbing atmosphere and ambience of the streets around Piazza Navona and beyond… The cobbles of Ponte Sant?Angelo are weathered and well-worn by the steady footfall of millions of pilgrims over the centuries. Lined by a double row of angels and in the shadow of […]

Tales from Italy: Teaching Abroad

Blogger and teacher Amy Jones moved to Puglia two years ago and has found that teaching abroad and the slow pace of southern Italian life ? along with the fantastic food ? suits her down to the ground? What was your first experience of Italy? My first experience of Italy was actually a short trip […]

Tales from Italy: A Dessert Venture in Rome

Angie McNee is living the dream ? after? relocating to Rome she was inspired by the use of seasonal ingredients and started her own dessert chocolate company, Squisitezza? When did you first fall for Italy? I was offered a job in Rome in 1994. I had only anticipated a brief six month stay, but by […]

Salumi Review

If you would like to add authentic Italian cooking to your food repetoire then look no further than Salumi, where you can learn how best to dry cure your own meat… Salumi: The Craft of Italian Dry Curing by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn, WW Norton, ?25 (hardback) From the authors of Charcuterie comes this […]