The restaurants and hotels of Naples and its environs have so much more to offer than pizza. Adrian Mourby and his wife took a tour by car, never hesitating to try some of the finest dining experiences on their route… There is always a warm welcome at il Ristorantino dell’Avvocato for anyone willing to brave […]
A romantic stay for two, or a friendly welcome for the solo traveller… Here’s our pick of the best Italian Hotels & B&Bs for those planning a quick jaunt to Italy… RELAIS SAN PIETRO This family-run establishment is set in an 18th-century converted hamlet in the Tuscan hills and is pure paradise for those seeking […]
The unique climates of Sicily and Sardinia make for wines that are quite unlike those from mainland Italy. Paul Pettengale samples a selection of Italian Island white wines… My first experience of a white wine from one of the Italian islands was while sat (really) on the dock of a bay with my wife (then girlfriend) […]
The delight of eating at a local trattoria is being among real Italians and eating seasonal, traditional food. Mario Matassa shares his favourite establishment with us, and goes behind the scenes of this Italian Restaurant… The local trattoria in Italy is a theatre, a daily stage show where hundreds of life’s mini dramas are eagerly […]
Stuart Haines has long had a passion for exploring the Italian countryside on foot, and has written the Cicerone guidebook Walking in Abruzzo to share his experiences… What was your first experience of Italy? It was as a geology student, searching the Alps above Domodossola for the elusive and beautiful mineral, kyanite. It was September […]
We have some grand highlights from newly published Italian books, including novelist Pietro Grossi, the latest offering from Lonely Planet and posh nosh to inspire you in the kitchen? Nuovo Mondo by Stefano de Pieri and Jim McDougall, Hardie Grant Books, ?25 (hardback) Translating as ?new world?, this innovative cookbook brings together modern twists on […]
The Italian festival season really gets going in May, and sees the country celebrating everything from ancient traditions to the modern motor car. If you’re planning a trip, read through our top recommendations for this vibrant month… PROCESSION OF THE SNAKE CATCHERS 1 May Cocullo, Abruzzo The month kicks off with this rather unusual event […]
Umbria is known as the ‘green heart of Italy’, thanks to the fact that more than 30 per cent of the region is made up of woodland… This is a tranquil and historically rich region, landlocked on all sides by Tuscany, Lazio and Le Marche and situated right in the middle of Italy, although the […]
Take a look at the latest Italian products that have caught our eye… For food lovers who want to take their passion to the next level, designers have come up with this unusual Parmesan cheese lamp. Yes, that would be a hanging ceiling lamp that looks exactly like a wheel of Parmesan. It is […]
From its mythical role in the formation of Rome to its presence in the wild today, the wolf is an iconic symbol of Italy. Jenny Oldaker goes on the trail of this elusive predator. No animal in Italy is quite so culturally significant – or so divisive – as the wolf, and myths surrounding the […]