Buongiorno Italy readers!

October is a great month to visit Italy and here are our top picks for local events & festivals; think street entertainment and food, and the wonders of chestnuts! 

"Non avere sale in zucca" Our language lesson this Friday gives you six fun Italian Idioms with fruit and veg. 

Normally areas near stations are rather seedy and to be avoided,but Florence’s Santa Maria Novella is the exception. In this little area, there are so many treasures that you could spend a whole day within a small radius.

 The apple cake—torta di mele—is an expression of the baker or cook, and just about every home baker has her own version and we love Domenica’s take with a generous splash of Sambuca. 

For centuries, a place devoted to silence and meditation, the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona is built into a vertical cliff face.

One of the most fascinating cities in Italy, with a thousand-years-old history, Palermo makes for a perfect weekend break. Here are five things you should see and do.  

In order to give the region of Le Marche its rightful due, here are a few reasons why you might consider a new life in Italy’s best kept secret. 

This week’s dual-language article features a Unesco Sites of Italy: The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna. Here, the mosaics are among the best surviving examples of this form of art in Europe. 

Representing good fortune reflected back to you, the Peony encourages one to bestow good fortune on others and represented on this scarf made by a local artisan (and it’s on sale!).  

Sicilian Baroque is a distinctive form of Baroque architecture in Sicily, which flourished after a massive earthquake in 1693. We have selected eight of their cathedrals or mother churches as prime examples of this original style of Baroque architecture.

Newly Restored Umbrian House for sale. This newly renovated farmhouse is located in hilly and panoramic position near Piegaro. With stunning views over the countryside, the house combines privacy with the convenience of local amenities, our #propertyoftheweek. 

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