Buongiorno Italy readers!

From Valle d’Aosta, Italy’s smallest regions, comes an uplifting story.  On her birthday, Nonna Nina (Pierina Quagliatti) was cured of the virus. She turned 102, and on that same day, her great-grandson, two-year-old Leonardo, also recovered. 

Florence in the time of coronavirus. Watch this incredible drone footage of an empty Renaissance city during this lockdown period. 

This week Rome celebrated its 2773rd birthday and to watch the virtual tributes to the Eternal city, click here.

As part of our “Italy Stay Strong” series we spoke with a boutique tour operator running slow travel experiences in Italy’s Salento area of Puglia. They shared what they love about Italy’s south and how the current pandemic is affecting their business. 

This classic soup of Tuscany--a rich mix of slow cooked vegetables and beans--- is named frantoiana Italian for an olive press because it features a final finish of extra virgin olive oil.

"But if one thing I’ve learned from this situation, it’s how important it is to live in the now." Our team member Silvia Donati shares what life is like in lockdown in Italy's Val di Non after almost seven weeks behind closed doors. 

Add a little color to your home with this artisan-made round tray made using the glass melting technique. This unique creation hails from the island of Sardinia by Sandro Moro Glass Design. 

Villa d’Este is a 16th-century palace and garden in Tivoli, 30 km from Rome. Its terraced hillside garden, with spectacular fountains and ornamental basins, one of the first giardini delle meraviglie (gardens of wonders), was an early model for the development of European gardens – read this article also in Italian.

If you’re lucky enough to live in or near the countryside, you may want to talk about the nature you can see right on your doorstep. Here's the vocabulary you need to know.

A super offer in Bomba, Abruzzo. This stone structure in need of restoration offers amazing views in the town center. There is also a 5 sqm. shared terrace in front of the house - our #propertyoftheweek. 

Looking for an Italy-themed wallpaper for your desktop or phone? We have this Milan-inspired version for you. 

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