Special Places to Stay, Italy Review

Alastair Sawday’s handy little guide will help you find the best places to stay in Italy… Special Places to Stay: Italy Alastair Sawday Publishing, ?15.99 (paperback) Just as we would always prefer the recommendation of a close friend, so do we entrust the experts at Alastair Sawday to give us the best places to stay. […]

Pictures of Italy: Milan

The Milan tramway today is a far cry from the Roman horse-powered original model, but still the best way to explore the city… Driving in Milan is not for the faint-hearted ? and there?s no reason to even attempt it when hands-down the most romantic way to explore Italy?s second city is by tram. Your […]

History of Italy: Valley of the Temples

Located just outside the city of Agrigento in Sicily is one of the most iconic Italian sights, the Valley of the Temples, which serves to remind us of ancient Greek rulers… The Valle dei Templi is, quite understandably, one of Italy?s mostprized archeological relics. Built between 510 BC and 430 BC, it was excavated and […]

Tastes of Italy: Recipes from Rome

With generous seasoning and classic pasta dishes, Mario Matassa explores recipes from Rome… For Romans, the search for pleasure and happiness in all matters of life is a daily imperative, one that dictates a way of life. This holds equally true when it comes to matters of the table, where indulgence is considered as much […]

Italian Christmas Gift Ideas

We?ve got some superb Italian Christmas gift ideas to prepare you for the festive season? Tuscan, tasty, and oh-so-pretty, we love this adorable trio of stackable specialities from Trattoria La Vialla. New to their range for Christmas 2012, this gift pack contains 250ml bottles of extra-virgin olive oil, Tuscan wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar of […]

Italian Dessert Wine

What better way to complete a dessert, and indeed a meal, than to compliment it with a glass of sweet Italian dessert wine? Paul Pettengale indulges his love of la dolce vita? The Italians are well known for their love of all things sweet. No meal is finished until dessert has been savoured, whether a […]

Family-owned Businesses: A Restaurant Venture

Italy?s independent businesses are at the heart of its culture, and the lack of chain stores is part of its charm. Mario Matassa embarks on a restaurant venture of his own and joins the ranks of family-owned businesses? Diversit? L?Italia ? un paese legato alla piccole imprese a conduzione familiare e sto per entrare nelle […]

Italian Festive Coffee Recipes

The Marketing Manager of De’Longhi UK offers up some delicious festive coffee recipes, perfect to make up at home over Christmas… Q. Can you recommend any festive recipes for coffee? I have lots of family and friends coming this December, and would love to impress them with a delicious treat after dinner. Jay Bartlett, email […]

History of Italy: Arch of Constantine

With incredible detailed stonework, the Arch of Constantine on the Via di San Gregario in Rome marks a significant historical victory that changed the course of religion? The impressive Arco di Costantino is one of the key architectural sights of ancient Rome. Located between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, it was built to celebrate […]

Friar Alessandro: Singer from Assisi

From a religious calling comes the voice from Assisi as Friar Alessandro lands himself a major record deal… We at Italia! are rather excited about Friar Alessandro ? the first friar in the history of music to land a major record deal. The tenor, who hails from Assisi in Umbria, has been signed to Decca […]