Ciao Italy Magazine readers, 

As we enter mid-January it is a great time to think about ways to keep cozy, warm, and motivated during these short winter days (does mulled wine count?). Luckily we have a pretty fabulous comforting recipe for you down below but also take the time to delve into the rest of what we have on offer from this past week. Also, don't forget to check your inbox for our monthly Buongiorno newsletter with plenty of interesting Italy insider info, events, curiosities all corraled in one place—and enjoy a special offer to help kick off your language skills this 2022. 

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One of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Milan is also the latest to reach celebrity status. Just one mile from Santa Maria delle Grazie where you can see Leonardo Da Vinci's last supper, the district known as CityLife is definitely worth a visit as part of your Milan itinerary. 

From the godfather of Italian cartoon animations, 'Mr. Rossi', to the hugely popular 'Winx Club', we share some of the best-animated tv-series either produced or co-produced, in Italy. 

Pasta Rasa or "grated" pasta soup is a specialty of Lombardy and our recipe of the week. We love it because it is the easiest recipe (even for those scared of making fresh pasta) and perfect for these cold weather days.  

Have you ever heard of the ‘Madonna Nera’? The magnificent Sanctuary of Tindari in northern Sicily houses a particular depiction of the Virgin Mary: A Byzantine wooden statue originating from the East that portrays a black Madonna. Learn more in our latest dual-language article. 

What Else You Don’t Want to Miss

Italy’s borghi preserve that fascination of places stuck in time where life goes on as if in a different era. This rings even truer in those villages you can only reach on foot, where you can feel as if you are leaving the outside world behind. Here are four of our favorites. 

Winter is a great time to go to the movies and Italy is home to some of the best filmmakers in the world which makes it the perfect basis for our latest language lesson.

We interviewed the author of the recent crime thriller The Hunting Season, set in the foodie town of Bologna where food plays a central role in the plot, especially as it refers to the world of truffle hunting. 

This vintage-inspired made-in-Italy backpack screams pure, timeless Italian style. The classic schoolbag look is classic but also practical and big enough to hold a 15" laptop.

Palazzo Pitti in Florence inaugurates the new year with the opening of four rooms that had never before been accessible to the public. Find out what to expect here. 

The perfect getaway home in Italy's luscious Lake Como. This lovely two-bedroom apartment forms part of a palazzo overlooking the Golfo di Venere with a private boat mooring, swimming pool, and parking. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend from Georgette, your editor, and the Italy Magazine team