Holiday in Italy: A Weekend in Lucca

Marina Spironetti goes in search of the perfect landscape view in the popular Tuscan city of Lucca… When I first went to Lucca I left with a feeling of pleasing quietness. The crowds that cram into nearby Pisa seemed to spare this gem of a city, apart from a small number of discreet visitors who […]

Life in Italy: Milan’s Waterways

Marina Spironetti gets off the beaten track in Milan and uncovers a surprising side to the capital of fashion ? one with peaceful residences and Venetian-style canals… The name says it all: Milano, from the Latin Mediolanum, coming in turn from the Celtic Midland, ?land in the middle?. In the middle of what? Water. As […]

Life in Italy: Homes in the Cities

Italy has particularly liveable cities ? small-sized, friendly, rich in history and lovely to look at. They make especially good locations to invest in a property, says Fleur Kinson… However much you love Italy?s wonderful countryside, you can?t have failed to notice that Italy?s cities are among the country?s greatest charms. Who wouldn?t swoon to […]

Italian Recipes from the Amalfi Coast

Mario Matassa looks at the rich culinary traditions in Campania and shares some Italian recipes from the Amalfi Coast… In a country renowned for its cuisine, it is Campania that best conjures the popular image of Italian food, epitomising the ideal of the Mediterranean diet and the Italian reputation for good living. And in a […]

DH Lawrence’s Lake Garda

Sally FitzGerald celebrates the 100th anniversary of DH Lawrence’s move to Lake Garda with a tour around the town of Gargnano… When someone visits a place for a day and decides to stay for six months you know they must have discovered something quite special. This is exactly what happened when the much-loved English writer […]

Best Italian Art Galleries

Be sure to tick these sensational Italian art galleries off your list if you are visiting Italy this year? Built in 1581, the Uffizi gallery, one of the world?s oldest, is regarded as Italy?s finest collection of Renaissance art ? and with over 40 rooms stocked full of masterpieces, it?s reason enough alone to visit […]

Panettone Review: Italia!’s Top Picks

For a true taste of Italian Christmas, you can?t beat a classic slice of raisin-filled panettone ? so we tasted seven to see which one you should serve for dessert this year? For many in Italy, the festive season just wouldn?t be the same without a proud panettone sitting at the heart of seasonal confectionary. […]

Cheap houses in Italy

Buying on a budget in Italy? Read this advice on cheap houses in Italy Q. My partner and I would love to live the Italian dream, but buying a second property outright is just not a viable option for us. If we pool our resources, we have around ?150,000 as a budget ? are there […]

Italian Pumpkin Recipes

A wonderfully versatile ingredient, we profile some ideas for this month?s top seasonal vegetable with Italian pumpkin recipes from the Vegetarian Society… Pumpkin soup Zuppa di zucca Serves 4 | Preparation 10 mins | Cooking 45 mins 1kg pumpkin 2 onions, chopped 25g butter or margarine 1 medium potato, peeled and diced 2 garlic cloves, […]

Holiday in Italy: A Weekend in Brescia

Sally FitzGerald takes in the sights and sounds of the Brescia province, from the majestic attractions of southern Lake Garda to the hidden gems of the provincial capital city… “We will go straight to the island. We must be faster than the storm.” If I?m being honest these aren?t the first words I am hoping […]