One of Italy’s favourite vegetables, the artichoke is a delicious addition to an antipasto platter, or a tasty treat all by itself. Italia! samples a selection of the best on offer… Perfect for sprucing up pasta and transforming lettuce leaves into a delicious salad, jarred artichokes are undoubtedly the fanciest of all standbys, and no […]
Inspiring walks, stunning scenery and delicious food are just a few of the pleasures the Cinque Terre has to offer. Sarah Lane revisits one of her favourite locations in Italy The northwest coast is home to five idyllic villages – Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Collectively known as the Cinque Terre, the cluster of […]
Heralded as one of the most romantic countries in the world, Italy has no end of romantic spots to pick from. So move over Venice, Italia! short lists some strong contenders… 1.Florence It sometimes seems as though Florence’s magnificent architecture and piazze were designed to please enamoured couples. Not only does the city house hundreds […]
Like a rainbow of painted plaster, the village of Portovenere hangs onto the cliffs above the swirling seas of the Gulf of La Spezia on the coast of Liguria – the home of fine wines and a one-time haunt of Byron’s. We know it’s a tough decision, trying to decide between the Amalfi coast and […]
Italy’s Cinque Terre is the stuff of postcards, and its colourful coastal railway is as pretty as a picture. Tristan Rutherford takes a train journey of discovery along the Ligurian coast. Central Italy is snowbound, so it is a shock to see La Spezia Station in radiant green. Palm trees run alongside the tracks in […]
Florence’s River Arno is in tranquil mood as it flows through the arches of the Ponte Santa Trinità, but these sleek still waters have borne witness to a more tempestuous history… What could be more restful than the River Arno at dusk with Santa Maria del Carmine and the Florence skyline in the background. Rising […]
“Apricale is a fortified medieval village in the Valle Nervia a few miles inland from Ventimiglia on the Riviero dei Fiori in Western Liguria. We stayed in this beautiful13th century village that clings haphazardly to the hillside, with lovely restaurants, piazza, and fantastic old footpaths snaking through the terrace hillsides. Ideal to scoot around in […]
It has been reputedly used since 6,000BC, and originates from Greece and ancient Asia Minor, but what of the modern-day oils on offer? Italia! selects seven of the best… We all use olive on a virtually daily basis. It’s become a staple in the kitchens of everyone who loves all things Italian. Arguments will rage […]
Among the most striking views in Sicily are the glittering saltpans between Trapani and Marsala. Dating way, way back to the time of the Phoenicians (who were sailing the Mediterranean from 1200BC), the saltpans on the western coast of Sicily are still active today, desalinating vast quantities of sea water and shipping the recovered salt […]
The Castello sul Mare was built in 1551 as a defensive fort against pirates who had conducted raids, including the kidnappings of local civilians, in 1549… Standing by the water at Rapallo, on the Ligurian coast, the Castello sul Mare – also known as the Castello di Rapallo – connects by a small bridge to […]