Italia magazine

Welcome to the new issue of Italia! packed with exciting features and stunning photography to get you in the mood for sunnier days ahead. Travel restrictions continue to lift around the world and I’m heartened to see more of your photos in my inbox as you make a return to favourite places in Italy after so long. Keep them coming – I love to see them! If you’ve been impressed by our cover image this issue, I know you’ll want to read our castles feature. We take you on a whistle-stop tour around the country to reveal an extraordinary diversity of noble architecture. We’re on foot around Bologna next, exploring the city’s splendid porticoes with author Tom Benjamin. They have just been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and really are a…

Join us on FACEBOOK, search for Italia! magazine Follow us on TWITTER at @ItaliaMag Find us on INSTAGRAM at @italia_magazine JENNY OLDAKER We set Jenny the tricky task of looking at Italy’s many castles for this issue and picking out ten of her favourites. From stout fortresses to fairytale towers, mountain hideaways and island defences, she managed to narrow her choice down to the selection of captivating castelli you’ll see on page 24 – and of course, our spectacular cover star. JOE GARTMAN Setting the scene for his latest slice of Italian history, our curious traveller journeys back to Pompeii in around 80 BC (a century and a half before Vesuvius erupts, so no big bangs!). He then traces the route of the treasures from that era that survived the eruption and are now on display…

1 With its viticulture pre-dating the arrival of the Greeks on the island, Sardinia is recognised as one of the oldest wine-producing regions anywhere in the world. Recent years have seen a noted increase in the quality of the wine produced on this generally mountainous and dry Mediterranean island. Some of the most esteemed grapes include the Cannonau and the Carignano del Sulcis (both of which actually originally came from Spain). 2 Some say fregula is Sardinia’s best kept secret, though it is now much used by Italian chefs. This grain-like variation on pasta is toasted and cooks in just 10 minutes. It can be used like couscous, paired with lots of herbs and tomatoes, or served with seafood. 3 The tradition of baking is strong in Sardinia, with delicious recipes passed…

A step back in time Naples already plays host to some of Italy’s most famous archaeological attractions, not least because it has the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum on its doorstep. But this summer the city’s Rione Sanità neighbourhood will welcome visitors to a ‘new’ ancient site when the Ipogeo dei Cristallini opens for the first time since its discovery in 1889. This spectacular hypogeum (an underground chamber, usually a temple or tomb, or both) was built by the Greeks in around the 4th century BC and so pre-dates the destruction of Pompeii by some 400 years. The site comprises four main tombs adorned with carved sculptures, inscriptions and other decorative flourishes – all strikingly well preserved and offering an insight into the art and society of the time. The…

This issue we asked our Facebook tribe about their favourite Italian café. Here’s what they said… • Pizza Da Mario in Malcesine by the harbour, and also the Piccolo Bar in Garda by the lake. Kerstin Trendall • Caffè Torino in Piazza San Carlo in Turin. Adam Ventress • Caffè Fiaschetteria, Piazza del Popolo, in Montalcino. Rona Hayward • Il Baccanale in the Piazza Campo de’ Fiore in Rome. It’s a perfect place to people watch and enjoy a caffè. They also serve a rather good carbonara. Gilly Erica • I’d choose a café in Piazza Navona in Rome – close to the sanctuary where I sponsor a cat and perfect for people watching. Jen Coulson • Any café, anywhere in Italy! Sunita Gupta Send us a letter using the address on page 6 Join us on Facebook,…

GOING UP • Anyone looking for luxury in Florence will find it in Gucci’s latest opening – a lavish new all-day café and cocktail bar in Piazza della Signoria. Gucci Giardino 25 is a bijou venue decorated in opulent style and serving tempting dishes for all tastes. The drinks list is impressive too, with a wide range of options that include an inventive selection of signature cocktails from mixologist Martina Bonci. For more, see www.guccigarden.gucci.com• Italian railway company Trenitalia will start replacing the diesel trains on its regional routes with new hybrid trains called Blues. The trains are designed to rely on a triple power supply (electric, battery and diesel), enabling a 50 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and making the trains cleaner and better for the environment. A total…