Five of Italy’s top art archives

Uffizi, Florence, Italy

Here are a few of the very best places to get your fix of world-class art next time you’re in Italy… Photos by iStock 1. Uffizi Gallery The experience always involves long queues – which are even longer if you go in high summer and haven’t booked in advance – but there are plenty of […]

Temples, goats and almond blossom

The Temple of Concordia, sicily

On a hilltop in Sicily stand the ruins of what was once part of a great city – Joe Gartman explores the Valley of the Temples… Photos by Patricia Gartman   It’s called the Valley of the Temples, though it isn’t really a valley at all. It’s a flat ridge on the outskirts of Agrigento, […]

Turkey with saffron and cream

Turkey with saffron and cream

This recipe for tacchino con zafferano e panna by Mario Matassa uses just a hint of saffron to give the dish its delicate yellow colour Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients: • 750g turkey breast, cut into 2cm chunks • a few tablespoons of plain flour • a few tbsp of olive oil […]

Asparagus and egg risotto

Risotto mimosa

Mario Matassa shares his ‘risotto mimosa’ recipe. The dish is a staple of Italy’s Festa della Donna in March… Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients: • 2 shallots, peeled, finely chopped • 320g risotto rice • 300g asparagus • 2 hard boiled free-range eggs • 1-1.5 litres of vegetable or chicken stock • […]

Women’s Day Cocktail

Women’s Day cocktail mimosa

This Women’s Day cocktail is a variation on the classic Mimosa. Though, of course, we are using prosecco instead of champagne… International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. It has its roots in early 20th-century socialist movements in Eastern Europe, with the first […]

Vero Italiano: La Festa della Donna

Festa della Donna, Italy

Mario Matassa takes a look at International Women’s Day. He revels in the mystery of the celebrations and presents some of the classic dishes… Photos by Mario Matassa The 8th of March is the day when women across Italy hang up their aprons, put on their best frocks, and walk out of the door – […]

A Sicilian escape

Swimming pool at the Verdura Resort

Sarah Rodrigues discovers a world of relaxation and hospitality at the Verdura Resort near Agrigento in Sicily… Photos by Verdura Resort and Sarah Rodrigues   Standing atop a look-out point surveying the Verdura Resort, it’s striking how insignificant the construction seems in the context of its expansive, 230-acre grounds; the roofs are a mere smudge […]

Lake Garda travel guide

alliums in italy

Jon Palmer shares some highlights from his e-biking trip to Lake Garda – there’s plenty for all ages to enjoy! Read on to get inspired for your trip… Photos by Parco Natura Viva, Verona Garda Bike & Getty Images What to see & do Gardaland Lake Garda’s best amusement park (and Italy’s first) has fun and […]

E-biking in Italy, part 1: Lake Garda

If you really want to experience the beauty of a natural landscape there’s no better vehicle than the bicycle. And it needn’t be an exercise in strength and endurance. Jon Palmer goes e-biking in Italy… Photos by Getty Images & Verona Garda Bike The hills of Valpolicella, which rise in an uncoordinated eruption of undulations […]