It’s been a busy week at Italy Magazine — one spent welcoming new team members, bidding a bittersweet arrivederci to our longtime editor Georgette Jupe-Pradier and preparing for the launch of our quarterly Bellissimo, which this time spotlights all things Puglia. We're sure you'll enjoy this in-depth look at Italy’s sparkling "heel." 

We’ve got plenty more than Puglia on the brain, however. Rome, for example, recently opened the Museum of Rescued Art, a repository of ancient artifacts that were stolen, dispersed, sold or illegally exported before being returned to their original locations. Etruscan, Roman and Greek objects are the inaugural exhibition’s heavy hitters, and are on view until October 15.

While it’s never a bad time to explore the Eternal City, off-roading in Emilia-Romagna might be more your speed, especially in light of the long-awaited tourism boom Italy's major cities are experiencing. Bologna-based writer Alex Sakalis takes us out of the urban chaos and into the charms of the Ciclovia del Sole, a pan-European cycleway with a new stretch in Emilia-Romagna.

In that same spirit, John Bensalhia encourages embracing countryside customs and small-town style in his roundup of July 2022 events. There comes a point in most Italian summers when both urban rhythms and beach days can start to feel repetitive. When that moment arrives, make sure John’s curated list of seasonal festivals — many of which are quirky local favorites — is close at hand.

Speaking of quirky, ever heard of “cheese in a carriage?” Southern staple mozzarella in carrozza is one of our dishes — and our dual-language article topic — of the week. Though generally served as an appetizer or a street food, mozzarella in carrozza also makes a comforting standalone dinner, requiring just a few pantry fixtures to prepare. Think of it as an elevated version of your classic childhood grilled cheese — unless you grew up in Campania, that is!

Buon weekend and happy reading!

The Italy Magazine team