A turbulent era in Italian politics saw the emergence of a great aviator, the flamboyant Marshal Balbo, as famous for his stand against Hitler as for his revolutionary leadership. Of the many colourful personalities to come out of Italy’s fascist era, Italo Balbo was among the most exuberant. He was a prominent member of the […]
A few dozen miles from Rome, but a world away from the hot, hectic capital, Ciociaria’s awesome landscape is peppered with fascinating towns. Fleur Kinson has her eyes opened to a secret part of central Italy Elderly Italians sit around me, reading and sipping from glass mugs. I’m sitting in the sunshine, contentedly, and take […]
Under the Tuscan Sun captures the allure of this region, this is what we had to observe about this popular, romantic american comedy… Under the Tuscan Sun (2003, Florence, Cortona & Positano. Directed by Audrey Wells. Starring Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan) Under the Tuscan Sun is the film adaptation of Frances Mayer’s popular autobiographical novel set […]
The weekly round up is here! We love your photography too much to keep it to ourselves, we’re going for a very classic, elegant focus to start with… We enjoy the photos you send us so much we’ve decided, we want more! From today onwards we will be doing a weekly round up of all our fans’ photo…so […]
With thousands of tourists paying for the privilege of a stay on this beautiful island, Sarah Lane ponders why the exiled Napoleon gave Elba the elbow Elba, Italy’s third largest island, is probably best known by English speakers for the palindrome credited to Napoleon: Able was I, ere I saw Elba. But there is much […]
Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, Italia! discovers one of the many reasons to visit Emilia-Romagna’s artistically rich city Ravenna, which boasts eight UNESCO world heritage sites. Of the many attractions that draw visitors to Emilia-Romagna’s Ravenna, the over-whelming Byzantine heritage is among the most alluring. Ravenna was the capital of the Western […]
A light and tasty snack that is easy to make and full of vitamins. Escarole is a form of chicory and has a gentle, but distinctive, bitter taste. The young leaves are also great in salads and soups Serves 4-6 Ingredients 250g filo pastry 1 head of escarole 2 courgettes, sliced 1 clove of garlic […]
Matera stands in for the Jerusalem of 2,000 years ago in this graphic depiction of the death of Jesus Christ… (2004, Matera. Directed by Mel Gibson. Starring Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci) Mel Gibson directed this highly controversial film that graphically traces the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life leading up to his Crucifixion. It has […]
Radicchio is a popular vegetable in Italian cooking and its intense flavour pairs well with traditional pizza ingredients such as cheese and pancetta. The bright red leaves also make a dish all the more attractive to look at… Ingredients SERVES 4-6 FOR THE DOUGH 300g plain wheat flour 100g strong wheat flour 20g Brewer’s yeast […]
A great love story and an indomitable passion have shaped one of the most memorable garden landscapes in Italy. We re-visit the exotic retreat on the island of Ischia and remember the wonderful Lady Walton… All great gardens are love stories – the love of the gardener for his or her creation, but La Mortella is something special. […]