Keep active this January by taking part in an array of Italian events ? from skiing and boat racing to religious and jazz festivals, plus the iconic fashion show in Milan which showcases the best new international designers? Umbria Winter Jazz Festival 25 December – 1 January Orvieto, Umbria The prestigious summer festival comes alive […]
Patricia Cleveland-Peck meets Arrigo Cipriani, co-owner of Harry?s Bar and a true Venetian legend himself, to talk about the history behind the birthplace of the delicious Bellini cocktail… If you mention St Mark?s Square or the Rialto Bridge most people will know you are referring to Venice, a city overflowing with cultural riches. Riches of […]
With a building history that spans 450 years, this large Carthusian monastery is home to an array of architectural delights that are sure to intrigue any visitor… This flight of stairs, crafted from white marble, is part of the Certosa di Padula ? the second largest charterhouse in Italy. Founded in 1306 by Tommasso di […]
Located in Emilia-Romagna, the town of Comacchio is home to a number of architectural gems ? including the five-way Trepponti bridge… ? The town of Comacchio has origins stretching back to the Middle Ages, with many battles in the interim over borders and territory. It’s easy to see why, as Comacchio boasts unique, intact architectural […]
Donatello is often referred to as the first Renaissance sculptor. He is the artistic grandfather of Michelangelo, who probably learnt more by studying Donatello?s work from the century earlier than any contemporary masters of his time… Donatello was the first sculptor since antiquity to make paramount, in his artistic production, the aim of communicating the […]
The idyllic island of Sicily is renowned the world over for sand, sun and food ? but you may not have heard of its salt? On first glance you may think wheelbarrows seem rather out of place on a Sicilian beach ? however this is salt, not sand, and it really is collected in the […]
Sebastian Cresswell-Turner explores the differences between cultures, and most importantly how la bella figura features strongly as the Italian sense of pride and presentation in everyday life? La bella figura Per gli inglesi che abitano in Italia, ? quasi impossibile, dopo un po?, non affrontare la questione di identit? nazionale, per stabilire se veramente […]
Sebastian Cresswell-Turner explains how to embrace the more direct approach when ordering a cappuccino or eating at a restaurant… Il cappuccino che tradisce Verso la fine degli anni durante i quali fui residente a Roma, vedevo sempre pi? spesso la vita dal punto di vista italiano; ed era quindi abbastanza naturale, suppongo, che rimanessi sorpreso […]
February is carnival time across Italy, which means an array of celebrations to suit all tastes and ages. You can get messy in Ivrea, get romantic in Verona or get singing in Sanremo ? plus religious days and food festivals galore? Venice Carnival 26 January-12 February Venice, Veneto Embrace the elaborate masks of this dramatic […]
As spring tentatively arrives in Italy, the food and wine festivals also return to centre stage ? plus you can catch jazz music, new art exhibitions, religious days and sporting events in this month?s round-up of the best cultural highlights? CONSTANTINE EXHIBITION Until 17 March Milan, Lombardy Catch the end of this exhibition at the […]