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Ciao a tutti!
 Now that the glitzy hubbub of the 60th Sanremo Song Festival is over - for the record a nineteen year old singer, Valerio Scanu, won it, beating better known artists and Prince-turned-singer Emanuele Filiberto - it may be a good time to visit the Ligurian town. Cameras, celebrities and public have gone leaving the streets empty of people but full of the ghosts of a grand past that is the essence of Sanremo's charm.
 Propelled on the European map by the Genoa to Ventimiglia railway line at the end of the 19th century, the town started drawing British, German and Russian visitors, including Tsarina Maria Aleksandrovna, who bequeathed the palm trees that line the seaside promenade. The Belle Époque brought grand villas, grander hotels and a magnificent casino, creating a pleasant contrast with the intricate maze of arches and sun - starved alleys that is La Pigna, Sanremo's medieval quarter. Much taken by Sanremo's (slightly fading) beauty, Catherine Richards Golini recommends an itinerary to take in both the architectural glories of the early 20th century heyday and the dark atmospheric silence of the Old Town. Just make sure you visit the town out of season - which means neither during the February festival nor in the height of summer, when the rich and famous and their hangers on come in droves to lounge on the local beaches - so you can capture glimpses of its Belle Époque past.
 If you are prone to nostalgia, little beats a trip to Sanremo, but these days there is another place you should visit - Turin. The National Museum of Cinema in the Piedmontese capital is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Fellini's La Dolce Vita with a special exhibition that recreates the atmosphere of both the film set and Rome at the time. Claire Provost went to take a look at it and now reflects on the significance of la Dolce Vita and the questions it poses and leaves open.
As Provost notes, Fellini's film does highlight the emptiness behind the glamorous hedonism of post-war Italy as much as celebrate the sensuous revels of the Roman nights at the end of the 1950s. However, its title, La Dolce Vita, has acquired a meaning of its own, becoming synonym with Italian lifestyle. And as such, each of us gives it a very personal slant, which reflects what we like best about Italy.
To me, saying dolce vita conjures up the colours, scents and flavours of Italy - the deep ruby of a glass of Nebbiolo, perhaps or the warm smell of freshly baked focaccia, or the crispy, rosemary-infused sweetness of chickpea farinata.
 Incidentally, I had my fill of all three when I was in Italy last week, but when I saw Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray's recipe for farinata on my return, I just had to give it a try . And you know what, it was fantastic, with a perfect crunchy but soft texture (crunchy on the outside, soft inside) and plenty of herby aroma. I warmly recommend you try it to bring a mouthful of dolce vita into your life. And please let us know what dolce vita means for you on our Community pages.
Buona settimana.
Carla Passino
Editor
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Explore Tuscany and Umbria following the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi. Discover the magical, untouched Casentino region in eastern Tuscany. See stunning medieval and Renaissance art created by some of Italy's greatest masters. Hike on the Appenine ridge, follow evocative pilgrim trails and walk along pretty woodland paths. End the walking holiday at a luxury restored Abbey near Gubbio in Umbria. Extend your holiday to visit Assisi. 
ShineSicily.com is a travel agency operating online and trying to combine in the best way personalized service, efficiency, rapidity and technological innovation.
Borgo Belvederi is a magnificent and secluded ancient hamlet, nestled on top of a green hill about 2 miles from the city of Camerino, in Le Marche.
