Panettone Review: Italia!’s Top Picks

For a true taste of Italian Christmas, you can?t beat a classic slice of raisin-filled panettone ? so we tasted seven to see which one you should serve for dessert this year? For many in Italy, the festive season just wouldn?t be the same without a proud panettone sitting at the heart of seasonal confectionary. […]

Cooking Holidays

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 […]

Christmas in Amalfi

Laura Thayer invites us to a Christmas in Amalfi… The holidays are a magical time to be in Italy. The Christmas lights twinkling across piazzas and narrow streets, the colourful decorations, the scent of cinnamon and chocolate floating out of bakeries and the surprise of coming across a band making its way through the village […]

Italian Books: Recipes, Fiction and Travel

We have some grand highlights from newly published Italian books, including novelist Pietro Grossi, the latest offering from Lonely Planet and posh nosh to inspire you in the kitchen? Nuovo Mondo by Stefano de Pieri and Jim McDougall, Hardie Grant Books, ?25 (hardback) Translating as ?new world?, this innovative cookbook brings together modern twists on […]

A Culinary Adventure in Umbria

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 […]

Italian Products: Top Selection

Check out the latest Italian products and treat yourself to a slice of la dolce vita? Learning a language can be tough, as the Italia! team well know, but now there?s a new way to learn that is suitable for everyone. Learn Italian in Kent is a bespoke service offering long or short courses tailor-made […]

Romance with Lake Como

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 […]

Opening a Restaurant in Italy

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 […]

From Here to There: Calm and quiet in Amalfi

Laura Thayer discovers the authentic Amalfi… Quiet descends on the Amalfi Coast during the month of January. After ringing in the New Year with the most dramatic fireworks display over the harbour of Amalfi, the celebrations and festive atmosphere continue right up to Epiphany, a religious holiday celebrating the manifestation of Christ and the coming […]

Italian Book Reviews: Recipes, Travel & Photography

Limoncello and Linen Water by Tessa Kiros, Murdoch Books, ?25 (hardback) This elegant collection of recipes is a must-have for those who love to throw a dinner party with the wow factor. Unashamedly feminine, it pays tribute to Tessa?s chosen home of Italy through page after page of rustic cooking, with old-fashioned sauces and deliciously […]