Baked sea bream with potatoes

sea bream

The variations of recipes for sea bream (orata) are countless, depending on where in Italy you happen to be. Mario Matassa’s  – baked in an oven with potatoes – is a classic version… Serves 2 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 20-25 minutes Ingredients: • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced wafer […]

Vero Italiano: la pescheria

sea bream

Join Mario Matassa for the second instalment in his series uncovering the secrets of Italian food. This time he goes to the sea, where he braves an early morning, much indecision and the fiery Italian passion for all things seafood Photos by Mario Matassa Going on a road trip is something that just happens when […]

Siena: what to see and do

Jane Keightley brings us six highlights of this magical Tuscan city… the things not to be missed when you visit Siena… Photos by iStock Piazza del Campo The shell-shaped piazza that is the centre of Siena was completed in 1340 and all manner of activities have taken place here, including boxing matches, bullfights and even […]

Italia! photos of the month: July 2018

Modica Italy

We love seeing your photos and this month we’ve got some fantastic snapshots from all over the Italian peninsula – enjoy! This month’s winner:  “Modica 2013. Cathedral San Giorgio Cathedral with wedding.” by Jim Mabon, Stirling   And more of our favourites this month… “Lago di Mergozzo is a small lake in northern Italy just […]

Siena’s Palio: the Thrill of the Race

Siena Palio, Tuscany Siena

Having failed on previous occasions to see the actual races, Jane Keightley finally experiences all the pride and pageantry of Palio week in Siena… Photos by Jane Keightley This was far from the first time I had visited Siena, but never before had I actually been there to experience the Palio. On one occasion I […]

Pescara Travel Guide

The Trabocchi Coast on the Adriatic coast, Abruzzi Italy

Little visited by British tourists, the province of Pescara in Abruzzo remains an area that’s not on the usual tourist trail, but it’s a part of Italy that’s well worth exploring, as Lorenza Bacino explains… The province of Pescara surrounds the city of the same name and lies in the very centre of the region of […]

Ten reasons to love Pescara

Pescara Abruzzo from above

Lorenza Bacino takes a tour of this seaside town and the surrounding province, and discovers pretty villages, abbeys, churches, museums, and plenty of wonderful places to eat Photos by Lorenza Bacino unless otherwise stated 1. The view from above For the more adventurous, a scenic tour of the coastline and mountains from above could be […]

Into the blue: Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa

Almar Jesolo resort Italy

Amanda Robinson travels to northeastern Italy to visit Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa, a five-star hotel on the Lido di Jesolo that’s redefining the beach holiday for the 21st century Photos by Amanda Robinson and Almar Jesolo Resort We flew in to Venice’s Marco Polo airport leaving behind the chilly doldrums of London’s feeble foray […]

Insider’s Rome: The Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

You can go and see the Trevi Fountain for free, it’s just there, but it will cost you money if you ever want to see it again… Words and image by Jon Palmer There are actually lots of things you can do for free in Rome – especially if you happen to be around on […]

Past Italia: La Chiesa di San Pietro

The church of Saint Peter on the promontory if Porto Venere in Liguria, Italy

St Peter‘s (La Chiesa di San Pietro)  in Portovenere stands on a promontory overlooking the Gulf of Poets Saint Peter’s at Portovenere is built on the site of a 5th-century church, and before that an earlier, pagan temple dedicated to Venus. It was consecrated in 1198 but its bands of black and white Carrara marble (the […]