There is nothing more indicative of true Italian life than the fondness for espresso – so this month we test seven of the best coffee machines on the market… Conjure up the flavours of Italy and somewhere in your daydream is sure to be a sip of thick espresso, taken after lunch or during a […]
This month James Gingell looks at the success of Pecorino cheese, and how best to utilise this ingredient in your Italian kitchen. Plus, a few recipes to get you started in true Abruzzo style… Pecorino is the name given to a group of Italian hard cheeses predominately made from ewes’ milk. Its name derives from […]
In the 19th century Giuseppe Garibaldi and his legion of loyal supporters fought for the independence of what we now know as Italy, and his revolutionary actions have not been forgotten… As a result of his exploits as a general and commander Giuseppe Garibaldi is considered a key individual in the formation of unified Italy. […]
The statue of David by Michelangelo is a proud republican statement, placed like a guardian watch dog in front of the town hall of Florence… Initially commissioned for an external buttress on the Florentine cathedral, the destination changed after Michelangelo finished the over-life-size, five foot tall sculpture, due to its pertinent relevance to contemporary politics. […]
Marina Spironetti picks a selection of the best activities and events to get involved with during a stay in Mantua… MANTUA JAZZ FESTIVAL Indulge in listening to world-class musicians in the historical setting of Mantua. This year the festival ran in April, but it can vary over the springtime months so check www.mantovajazz.it for the […]
Follow Marina Spironetti as she unveils the treasures of the cobbled city of Mantua, one of the most atmospheric places to visit in northern Italy… A year ago yet another earthquake shook most of northern Italy, causing considerable damage. When I went back to Mantua a couple of months ago, I did not know what […]
Le Marche is on the eastern side of Italy, east of Umbria, between the statuesque mountains and the inviting sea… The region is split into five provinces: Pesaro-Urbino, Ancona, Macerata and Ascoli Piceno, and the very recently instituted Fermo. It is easy to get to both the mountains and the sea, which is very appealing […]
MARINA WEBSTER and husband Pete Robinson own a large property called Sei Camini (meaning ‘six chimneys’) in the foothills of the Sibillini Mountains… It’s actually two stone houses linked together by a loggia, and stands in spacious grounds full of cypress, fruit and olive trees, with a pool gazing out over two medieval villages. The […]
June is a month full of events just waiting to be explored, with traditional Saint’s days, music festivals, summer athletics and local food extravaganzas… FESTA DELLA REPUBBLICA 2 June Throughout Italy This date marks the day that the Italian population voted to become a republic, ousting the monarchs of the House of Savoy. This took […]
With the end of Mussolini’s regime came a relaxation of censorship, allowing writers publish their ideas freely. Here are three Italian authors from the era… In a time of political turbulence Italo Calvino emerged as one of the leading commentators on Italian society. As a young man he refused conscription, instead joining […]