On the Tiber floodplain in Valtiberina, in the landscapes beloved by Pliny the Younger
The Valtiberina, renowned for its rich cultural and artistic history, also offers extraordinary natural beauty. Among the gems of this little-known area of Tuscany is the Golena del Tevere Protected Natural Area, a place where unspoiled nature unfolds along the banks of the Tiber River, which flows through this part of the region on the border with...
‘There’s Still Tomorrow’ director Paola Cortellesi talks success, toxic relationships and hope
Actor Paola Cortellesi has long been a staple on the Italian pop culture scene, mostly known for her work as a comedian. Then she turned to directing and her first feature movie, “There’s Still Tomorrow,” took Italy by storm. The black-and-white film about an ordinary woman trapped in a toxic marriage in post-World War II Italy opened in October. T...
Vineyards light up with candles again against frost. In South Tyrol, at Abbazia di Novacella
In this early spring, which in many parts of Italy resembles a late winter, with the vines already sprouting, the fires in the vineyard return to provide striking, but also troubling images. Like those coming from the social profiles of Abbazia di Novacella, one of the oldest wineries in South Tyrol, whose rows of vines were filled with lit candles...
Montepulciano: A tale of two Italian wines
Most lovers of Italian wines have yet to realize the difference between Montepulciano, the medieval town in southwest Tuscany, Italy, and Montepulciano, the grape. Many, if not all, think them the same, stating, “Well, that’s easy. It’s the grape grown in and around Montepulciano.” But it’s not. The grape varietal that is cultivated in and around M...
Living on the Islands of Italy
Ah, the lure of islands! Naturally romantic places, these spots of sea-encircled land offer a natural sense of escape. An island is a little world of its own where you can feel beyond the reach of workaday mainland concerns. It’s no surprise that many holiday dreams feature islands. Many holiday home dreams feature them too. Intimacy is part of any...
How to explore Italy in 3 days with a €29 train ticket
Train travel is having a moment, and there's no better place than Italy to try it for yourself. its beautiful cities and towns, plus an extensive and quite affordable railway network, make Italy an ideal destination for those wanting to explore more than one location without feeling like they are travelling via ticklist. To make train travel within...
With Pasquino, the wall is the fly: a book review of Anthony Di Renzo, pasquinades from Rome’s famous talking statues
When you contemplate a fly on the wall, I doubt that you ever imagine that fly reporting back what it has seen and heard. You know, chin-wagging about the goings-on of a body politic, dishing on gossip, scandalmongering. I doubt, too, that you ever imagine the wall being the one—er, the thing—doing the talking. Such might be deemed the conceit of ...
Where there’s a will, there’s a trullo: the history of Puglia’s architectural icons
There’s an Italian proverb: “A chi vuole non mancano modi.” Its closest English translation is “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” An ode to the grit and determination of Italy’s people, it’s far from the passive (and clichéd) concepts of “la dolce vita” or “il dolce far niente” so praised abroad. Yes, the country has a much better balance of w...
U.S. Soldiers honor Italian Liberation Day with local communities
In Parco della Liberta, translated as Liberty Park, in Vicenza, a new laurel wreath lies beneath the monument dedicated to Italian World War II resistance fighters, marking the 79th anniversary of Italy's liberation. In the park, Lt. Col. John Wildt, commander of the 307th Military Intelligence Battalion, joined the city of Longare’s veterans and...
Pre-roman necropolis unearthed in Italy during excavations
A pre-Roman necropolis characterised by rich grave artefacts was discovered in southern Italy during excavations for the construction of an electricity power station, local authorities said on Wednesday. The necropolis was found near Amorosi, some 50 km (31 miles)away from Naples, during preliminary excavations to build an electric station linked t...
Rome is the world's best eating city: ranked number one in 2024
Traditional Roman pasta dishes, but also saltimbocca, supplì. And pizza. From pizza al taglio to pizza bianca, from pinsa to pizza e fichi to pizza alla pala. And again, maritozzo or ice cream, abbacchio a scottadito and artichoke dishes, Roman style or alla Giudia. Tomatoes with rice, coda alla vaccinara and Roman tripe. The typical dishes in the...
Pink boxes: photo booths become a refuge for women in Italy
Italy is transforming photo booths into a refuge for women where they can call for help. They will be scattered throughout the cities, in the most difficult areas, and it will be enough to push the button on the Pink Box to connect with the 1522 call centre, the violence and stalking help line that received 54 thousand calls in the last quarter of...