Vero Italiano: pasta

Fresh pasta

In this instalment of his series uncovering the secrets of Italian food, Mario Matassa turns his attention to pasta. Read on for a lesson in how you can make the perfect fresh egg pasta too… Photos by Mario Matassa Someone once asked me if it was possible to say that a food is simpatico. This […]

Drink Italia! White Wines of Tuscany

White wine

Though famous for its fine red wines, from Chianti to the Super Tuscans, this region also produces excellent but lesser-known white wines. We take a look… Tuscany is famous for so many reasons. It’s the region that boasts Florence as its capital; its verdant, rolling hills have inspired painters and poets alike; and its culinary […]

Top of the class: Italian cookery schools

Alma cookery school, italy

Are you looking to raise your culinary skills to the next level? Michela Di Carlo gets a flavour of what’s on offer at some of Italy’s top-rated professional cookery schools 1. Parma, Emilia-Romagna The International School of Italian Cuisine (ALMA) is the brainchild of the renowned Milanese chef Gualtiero Marchesi. It’s been the world’s leading […]

Five of the best Tuscan gardens

Tuscany garden

Tony Bassett of Tuscan Secrets explores a few of his favourite green spaces in Tuscany… how many have you visited? Images by PG Media; Getty Images 1 Villa Reale, Lucca Once home to Napoleon’s sister Elisa. It has several different gardens including camellias, which flower during February and March, as well as a Spanish garden, and a lemon […]

Le Marche regional property guide

Fleur Kinson explores the property potential of this diverse Italian region, so you can find the destination that suits you perfectly… Introduction Le Marche lies on the eastern side of Italy, east of Umbria, between majestic mountains and inviting sea. The region is split into five provinces: Pesaro-Urbino, Ancona, Macerata, Ascoli Piceno and the recently […]

Homes in Le Marche

Ripatransone in Le Marche, Italy

This central Italian gem still offers much lower-priced property than neighbouring Tuscany and Umbria. Its unspoilt landscapes and easy-going lifestyle are hard not to fall in love with, says Fleur Kinson   Goldilocks knew that perfection often lies not at the extremes but in the middle. For many homebuyers, central Italy is neither ‘too north’ […]

Italia! photos of the month: October 2018

Walk of the Gods Italy

Brighten up your autumn with this selection of fantastic photos of Italy taken by Italia! readers for our monthly competition… This month’s winner:  “The Walk of the Gods along the Amalfi Coast looking towards Positano – which has to be one of the most beautiful walks in Europe.” by Diane Watson, North Anston    More of […]

Making Tracks, Part 2: to Rome

Train

Twenty years ago Rachael Martin arrived in Italy, exploring the country by rail and dreaming of rooms with a view. Twenty years, one Italian husband and two kids later, she still has the memories of those first voyages of discovery… Photos by Rachael Martin   “What can I get you?” the woman on the other […]

Fizz in Franciacorta

Franciacorta vineyards Italy

Sarah Rodrigues has a sparkling time on the southern shores of Lake Iseo, where they produce champagne-method wines to rival the best… Images by Sarah Rodrigues unless otherwise stated   “Why wasn’t I born the daughter of an Italian winemaker?” This green-tinged thought ripples through my mind as I stand in the cavernous space below […]