Ciao a tutti,

Mid-April is an alluring time to visit Italy. Many of its parks and gardens begin to blossom, and the beautiful, short-lived wisteria glicine blooms frame stone walls and doorways in the countryside and cities alike. Part of the spring celebrations includes this weekend’s Easter festivities, so it's a great time to learn about the unique cuisine in each region. 

Did you know that we offer an Italy-themed wallpaper for your phone and computer each month as one of the perks of your Premium Subscription? This month’s wallpaper features a stunning aerial shot of Siena’s Piazza del Campo.

Highlights from this week’s content lineup: 

Venice can sometimes seem like something out of a movie set — a picture-perfect backdrop for the ultimate social media snap with impossibly green canals, crumbling Renaissance palazzi and street lamps that glow pink. But for the locals who call it home, La Serenissima is much more than that. And for those looking for a comprehensive essential guide to the city and discovering its more secret corners, we have one for you right here. 

Amid ancient mosaics and the remains of patrician villas, a four-legged robot dog named Spot moves confidently on the uneven stone-paved streets. This is not the set of a science fiction movie — the black-and-yellow robot dog is the new guardian of Pompeii. 

Halfway between finger food and street food, supplì al telefono is without a doubt the most beloved fried snack of Rome. Learn more about this delectable treat in our dual-language series. 

Nearly everyone recognizes Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Still, many viewers don’t realize that the portrait probably represents a real woman who lived in Florence at the turn of the 16th century. So, just who is Mona Lisa and what is her connection to Florence?

This cozy apartment for sale (complete with fireplace) is part of an exclusive gated community in Todi, Umbria offering the use of a shared swimming pool, tennis court and playground. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

    - Your editor Georgette and the Italy Magazine team