Why we love these five open air venues

Not only does Italy boast a fantastically distinguished and high-profile operatic heritage, the nation also has some stunning open air venues to match… Verona Arena, Verona, Veneto Built in 30AD, this incredible Roman amphitheatre is the third largest in existence and provides an out-of-this-world setting for the city’s three-month opera season, from June to August. Blessed […]

Ham and Porcini Pizza Recipe

This is a simple but tasty pizza, which can be prepared and cooked in less than an hour. If fresh porcini are available, use 9oz (250g) of sliced, fresh porcini mushrooms in place of the dried ones Ham and Porcini Pizza Serves 4 Ingredients Dough  1¾ tsp (12g) active dry yeast ¾ cup plus 1 […]

The Tower of Pisa – a true Italia! Icon

Pisa, Italy

One of Europe’s most remarkable buildings, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is an icon not just of a nation, but of an entire continent… Along with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Big Ben in London and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, this is one of Europe’s most readily recognisable buildings. You might include the Colosseum […]

48 Hours in Alba and Asti

With truffles, Barolo and hazelnuts on the menu, Francesca Unsworth is very happy to indulge herself at the gastronomic centre of Italy on an autumnal trip to Alba and Asti The Italians have elevated numerous foodstuffs to iconic gastronomic status, but no single region can boast quite the same gourmet cachet as Piedmont. Home to both […]

Italy’s new ‘Fertility Day’ Campaign seen as sexist

Italy wants its women to become baby-making machines.  The article was originally written by Fortune. September 22 is the official date for the Italy’s ‘Fertility Day’. The state sponsored celebration has been constructed in order to promote family planning and parenthood. If you can’t believe it, then wait until you hear this… The government’s campaign to raise […]

San Giorgio – Past Italia!

If you visit Ascoli Piceno in the heart of Le Marche you’ll find a wealth of incredible religious artworks by a Renaissance artist who fell in love with the region This detail of San Giorgio is part of the stunning polyptych found  in the Holy Sacrament Chapel in the cathedral in Ascoli Piceno. The art is the […]

Travel in Umbria and explore Perugia

Join us to celebrate the delights of a visit to this historic Umbrian city and its surrounding hill-towns  Umbria has already been nominated as the next Tuscany, the region on its northern border. However, Umbria is a big place and the overflow of visitors from Tuscany hasn’t yet spoiled this peaceful, rustic region where the […]

Mid-Week Meals: Arezzo Style Bean Soup

Try this hearty, delicious staple from Tuscany, where peasant cooking – or la cucina povera – prevails, and satisfying bean-based dishes like this form the backbone of the region’s famous cuisine Mid-Week Meals: Arezzo-Style Bean Soup Ingredients ¾ cup (5.5oz or 150g) black-eyed peas  2 ripe tomatoes  2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil  1 bay leaf  […]