48 Hours in Cefalù and the Aeolian Islands

With nothing particular to do except enjoy the sun, sea and scenery, James Miller spent the weekend ambling around Cefalù and venturing out to the neighbouring islands… Here are countless reasons why visiting Sicily is a good idea: natural beauty, historical and cultural interest, food, even romance. As a regular visitor I’m no stranger to […]

Brexit: A positive outlook for Italians

Now, nearly a month ago, Britain voted to leave the European Union, and many if not most British expats in Italy are deeply concerned. But we need to look at the positive effects this could have as well… Credit: This article was originally from The Local. It has not been easy, but we’ve had a go at looking on […]

Italia Icons – Michelangelo

It is perhaps the most famous statue in the world and a preeminent icon of the Renaissance, and of the city that produced the Renaissance… Michelangelo’s David was first commissioned in 1466, though not to the artist who completed it. (He wasn’t even born until 1475). The commission originally went to one Agostino di Duccio, […]

Appassionata Boutique

With a new collection for Spring/Summer 2016, Appassionata Boutique has the handbag for you…   Combining our love for Italy and handbags, Appassionata Boutique designs and creates luxury handmade Italian leather handbags for a global market. Like most women, our love for handbags started at a young age. We set up Appassionata Boutique so women […]

Massimo Bottura’s restaurant: the world’s best

Who would have thought it?! Italian Resturant Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, is the first Italian restaurant ever to have won the title of world’s best restaurant! Congrats Massimo Bottura!     Recently Italian chef Massimo Bottura opened a soup kitchen called Refettorio Ambrosiano in Milan. On Monday, it was revealed that his Italian restaurant Osteria Francescana […]

5 Best Italian Breads

Some 350 varieties of bread originate from Italy, from crusty loaves to unleavened flat breads and the crispy breadstick. Tuck into five of the best as chosen by Italia! 1. Focaccia Of all the breads, this ancient Ligurian bread with a mottled appearance, is popular all over the world. Oven baked, its name comes from the […]

Grotesque Style

The term Grotesque derives from the caves, or grotte, where Renaissance builders unearthed this ancient form The Grotesque style was all the rage during the 1500s for both interiors and exteriors all over Italy. It continued to be so for the following two centuries. Nowadays, when the word is mentioned, negative images of unfortunate distorted […]

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala may have originated with British residents of Sicily in the 19th century. Certainly its popularity extends beyond Italian shores. Serves 2 Preparation 10 minutes Cooking 35 minutes Ingredients 2 medium organic free-range chicken breast fillets, pounded seasoned Italian ‘00’ flour 15g unsalted butter 1 tbsp olive oil 90ml dry Marsala 2 tbsp chicken […]

Rome by Train

Sick of flight delays, luggage allowances and departure lounges? The Italian capital is easily accessible by train from the UK – Gemma Hall took to the tracks to try it out The 7pm sleeper from Paris to Rome was running an hour late. In normal circumstances – and by that I mean on a crowded […]

Top 3 – Hit the Beach

Heading for the coast in Italy this summer? Go in style to the beach with these (vaguely) rock’n’roll-related accessories! 1. Cut across Shorty Never mind being on the beach – how about having the beach on you? These eye-catching Orlebar Brown swim shorts for men give you the opportunity to do just that, emblazoned as they […]