Here we review a new book from food writer Valentina Harris, updated travel guides and insightful fiction – read on for our selection of recently published Italian books this month… Fiori di Zucca by Valentina Harris, published by Duncan Baird, £20 (hardback) As the author of more than 40 internationally successful titles and from her […]
Grown around – and even on – the slopes of Mount Etna, the grape varieties that thrive in Sicilian soil make some of Italy’s finest white wines. Paul Pettengale investigates… Wine has been a way of life in Sicily for thousands of years. When the Greeks inhabited the island around 1500BC, they brought with them […]
The Marketing Manager at De’Longhi UK explains which sorts of coffee machines are the best for the home… Q. There are now many different types of coffee machines for the home. You can use capsules, powder or beans. Is there a big difference in the quality of coffee that these different methods produce? And is […]
MD of Marche Homes Direct, Kevin Gibney explains the best level of involvement for people undertaking a renovation project abroad… KEEPING A CLOSE EYE Q. As a UK resident, I will not be able to regularly check on the renovation work being done to my holiday home. How heavily should I be involved throughout the […]
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 […]