The Love Italy Guide â„– 009: La Befana
Photo: Photo by Alina Rossoshanska on Pexels On the night of 5 January, while most of Europe has packed Christmas
Italian Culture & Heritage
Italy’s Great Cheese Traditions: Parmigiano, Pecorino and Mozzarella
Parmigiano-Reggiano, pecorino and mozzarella di bufala each tell a different story about Italian food culture. Here is what makes each one distinct, where they come from, and why they matter.
Italy’s Best Meals Are Hiding Down Back Alleys
Italy’s best osterias are found down side streets, not on tourist maps. Here’s how to spot them, where to look in Bologna, Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples, and what to order when you find one.
Tortellini in Brodo Recipe: Bologna’s Classic Pasta in Broth
Learn how to make tortellini in brodo at home, Bologna’s classic filled pasta in golden broth, with a step-by-step recipe and simple serving tips.
The Love Italy Guide â„– 008: Murano Glass
Photo by Jaz Blakeston-Petch on Unsplash In 1291 the Venetian Republic ordered every glass furnace moved off Venice proper and
Essential Italian Phrases Every Traveller Should Know
Learn the essential Italian phrases every traveller needs — greetings, café orders, directions and emergency expressions. With pronunciation guide.
Risotto ai Funghi Recipe: Authentic Italian Mushroom Risotto
Learn how to make risotto ai funghi the Italian way: the right rice, porcini tips, hot stock and a creamy finish. Step-by-step recipe for four.
Italian Chestnut Season: Castagne, Marroni and Where to Eat Them
Italian chestnut season runs from September to November. Learn castagne vs marroni, where to eat them and two easy recipes to try at home this autumn.
Italian Truffle Season: Where and When to Hunt for Truffles in Italy
Discover Italian truffle season region by region — from white truffles in Piedmont to black truffles in Umbria. When to go, where to hunt, and how to book.
Cent’anni: Italy’s Secret to a Long and Happy Life
At any Italian celebration — a birthday, a wedding, a Sunday lunch that somehow stretches to four hours — you
How to Say Merry Christmas in Italian: Buon Natale and More
Merry Christmas in Italian is Buon Natale. It is the standard greeting and it works with anyone, from a close
Italian Coffee Culture: From Espresso to Cappuccino
Italian coffee culture is one of the most distinctive parts of life in Italy — and one of the easiest
Italian Surname Origins: What Your Family Name Reveals About Your Ancestry
Italian Surname Origins: What Your Family Name Reveals About Your Ancestry Your Italian surname is not just a label —
The Love Italy Guide â„– 007: Italian Opera Tradition
Photo by Aron Marinelli on Unsplash On the seventh of December each year, the city of Milan stops for a
Tuscany Wine Regions: Your Guide to Chianti, Brunello and Montepulciano
Tuscany Wine Regions: Your Guide to Chianti, Brunello and Montepulciano Tuscany is one of the most celebrated wine regions in
The Love Italy Guide â„– 006: Limoncello
Photo by Tamara Malaniy on Unsplash The secret to good limoncello is what it leaves out: no lemon juice ever
Capri Day Trip from Naples or Sorrento: The Complete Guide
Capri is one of Italy’s most famous islands. A Capri day trip is something millions of visitors plan every year
The Love Italy Guide â„– 005: La Passeggiata
Prato della Valle, Padua. Photo: AnatolyPm / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) Around six in the evening, streets that were
The Love Italy Guide â„– 004: Italian Hand Gestures
Photo: Photo by Jorge Rojas on Unsplash There is a gesture Italians make by pinching all five fingertips together, pointing
The Love Italy Guide â„– 003: Espresso
Photo: HSwaff via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) A true Italian espresso is pulled in about 25 seconds, filling a
The Love Italy Guide â„– 002: Ferragosto
The colourful village of Vernazza in Cinque Terre on a summer day, capturing the spirit of Ferragosto in Italy The