Although it’s been around for a little more than 150 years, Brunello is one of Italy’s most famous and revered (not to mention expensive) wines. Paul Pettengale discovers why… No doubt the first thing you’ll clock will be the prices. These are not typos. The sad fact is, if you’re after viticultural perfection (and these […]
The Vatican Museums are by far the most visited art galleries in Italy. And so they should be. There are more than 20,000 items on display at any one time – and sometimes it feels as if there are just as many people seeing them. The Museums house the collections of five centuries’ worth of […]
High in the hills overlooking Varese is one of the most remarkable hidden treasures you could wish to behold – the rarely seen frescoes of the Sacro Monte de Varese As far as hidden secrets go, the Sacro Monte di Varese appears like the central plot focus in a sequel to The Da Vinci Code. Situated […]
ITALIA! presents a special, in-depth Past Italia! as Freya Middleton explores the long-lasting influence of the Medici family… The Medici family is one of the most extraordinary families in Italian history. They wielded economic and political power in Florence and in Europe for three hundred years. They were one of the wealthiest families in Europe in […]
This simple and satisfying penne and mushroom dish is the perfect solution for a tasty midweek meal. Try it tonight! In Italy, porcini mushrooms reign supreme, but this pasta dish can also be made with other varieties, depending on what you have on hand (skip the soaking step if using fresh rather than dried). Penne […]
Spaghetti with crispy breadcrumbs and anchovies is a simple, coastal Italian pasta that lets fresh anchovies shine. Sweet cherry tomatoes, golden breadcrumbs and good olive oil turn a modest catch into something spectacular. There is something about fresh anchovies that invites company. Perhaps it is their abundance, arriving by the kilo in crates packed with […]
Looking for things to do in Liguria? You’ll be spoilt for choice with ten good reasons why it is a favourite destination for all the family Home to the ancient Liguri and, later, the maritime Republic of Genoa, Liguria’s spectacular coastline, pastel-coloured villages, well-equipped beaches and mild climate have been loved by many. In 1866, […]
Experience the magic of winter in the Valle di Gran San Bernardo. Join Rachael Martin at the vibrant Coumba Freida Carnival in the Aosta Valley, and explore the snow-covered slopes of the Great St Bernard Pass. It was carnival time on a cold February morning in the Great St Bernard Valley in northern Italy’s Aosta […]
It’s clear why this is a popular time for travellers to visit: The Amalfi coast is an array of colour as the first sign of autumn reaches Italy… The first signs of autumn arrive quietly on the Amalfi Coast. I try to hold onto the last warmth of the summer days, which seemed as if […]
Stuffed sweet peppers with Italian sausage and cheese make a delicious starter or side in this recipe by Mario Matassa Discerning Italians will cast a disdainful eye on the perfectly symmetrical peppers that sit on supermarket shelves all year round. They’re pretty, but often quite tasteless. The misshapen ones, the ones that have been grown […]