Italy?s independent businesses are at the heart of its culture, and the lack of chain stores is part of its charm. Mario Matassa embarks on a restaurant venture of his own and joins the ranks of family-owned businesses? Diversit? L?Italia ? un paese legato alla piccole imprese a conduzione familiare e sto per entrare nelle […]
Sally FitzGerald celebrates the 100th anniversary of DH Lawrence’s move to Lake Garda with a tour around the town of Gargnano… When someone visits a place for a day and decides to stay for six months you know they must have discovered something quite special. This is exactly what happened when the much-loved English writer […]
Sally FitzGerald takes in the sights and sounds of the Brescia province, from the majestic attractions of southern Lake Garda to the hidden gems of the provincial capital city… “We will go straight to the island. We must be faster than the storm.” If I?m being honest these aren?t the first words I am hoping […]
For food enthusiasts, there?s nothing better than escaping to Italy to learn some new kitchen skills. We?ve selected some top cooking holidays for those who want to learn cucina italiana? CUCINA DELLA TERRA Set in the beautiful Italian countryside setting of Umbria, Cucina della Terra offers customized cooking vacations or one-day cooking classes that enable […]
Writer Christine Smallwood joins vegetarian chef Jane Baxter on a culinary adventure in Umbria to discover its meats… Recipe for a culinary exploration of Umbria: Take two friends ? Christine Smallwood, the writer of An Appetite for Umbria, and Jane Baxter, an acclaimed chef who was the creative culinary force behind the Field Kitchen, the […]
Novelist Janette Griffiths re-visits the source of her inspiration on Lake Como, and embarks on a celebrity spotting mission with a difference? A man desired by women the world over has set up home on Lake Como. He?s got a woman in tow and on these warm autumn days, the lake is abuzz with talk […]
Mario Matassa tells us about his hectic few weeks opening his very own restaurant, and how he decided to embark on this rather ambitious project at the same time as moving house with his family? Stress Si dice che un trasloco ? una delle cose pi? stressanti della vita. Ho la tendenza a rendere la […]
Patricia Cleveland-Peck meets Arrigo Cipriani, co-owner of Harry?s Bar and a true Venetian legend himself, to talk about the history behind the birthplace of the delicious Bellini cocktail… If you mention St Mark?s Square or the Rialto Bridge most people will know you are referring to Venice, a city overflowing with cultural riches. Riches of […]
Jon Bickley takes his family on the trip of a lifetime to the Forte Village Resort in Sardinia, only to find that it is easier than you might imagine to keep everyone happy on holiday? It started with a train journey from London and ended in a luxury resort in Sardinia ? if only all […]
Dreamily serene, with breathtaking views across the Amalfi Coast, tiny Ravello has long inspired major artists, writers and musicians. Fleur Kinson heads to this sublime little heaven? Like most visitors, my 48 hours in Ravello begin in Amalfi. I had been hurtled to this famous coast?s eponymous town along the hair-raising Amalfi Drive, gasping each […]