Ciao a tutti!

Just a quick note to introduce myself...I’m Rebecca Winke and I’ll be acting as the editor for Italy Magazine over the next few months while Georgette is settling in with her growing family. I’m very excited to get to know our readers, so please do reach out with any comments or suggestions.

It's an exciting time at Italy Magazine. Spring means new beginnings, and we are kicking off the season with a new subscription quarterly magazine—Bellissimo—and a choice of subscriptions to our digital magazine to give readers exclusive access to all our insider Italy intel and other member perks. Check it out!

Now that the weather is getting warmer, we are all looking forward to getting outside and enjoying a bit of fresh air. Explore these five sumptuous Italian gardens inspired by women or dust off your bike and pedal through these five cyclist-friendly historic Italian towns.

If you crave the beauty of Italy’s southern coastline without the sky-high prices or summer crowds,Calabria’s stunning seaside towns of Tropea, Pizzo, Scilla, and San Nicola Arcella may be your ticket to paradise. Lover’s of Italy’s historic hill towns, instead, can read up on Cività di Bagnoregio. Set on a dramatic cliff on the border between Lazio and Umbria, this postcard-perfect village has thrown its hat in the ring for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Learn about the ancient architectural wonder of Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana)while honing your Italian vocabulary with this week's dual-language article focusing on one of Italy’s most magnificent Roman sites. Remember that each week we include an audio clip so you can practice your pronunciation and comprehension!

If you find visiting the bustling outdoor market in Italy daunting, with its “elbow-y” nonnas and lively vendors, take a look at our quick guide to basic market etiquette and useful phrases. Picking up picnic supplies or foodie souvenirs at the “mercato” is a great way to connect with locals and participate in one of the fundamental pillars of Italian daily life, so dive in…. 

Sadly, this week the world bid goodbye to one of the most influential and respected art restorers, Gianluigi Colalucci, who is best known for bringing Michelangelo’s original colors back to life during his monumental Sistine Chapel restoration that spanned more than a decade. I remember visiting for the first time as a student when the ceiling was exactly halfway complete, and the stark difference between the restored and unrestored sections.

Get in your last baking lap before the warm weather makes you want to shut down the oven for the season with a deliciously light soffione di ricotta cake. Though it was once an Easter treat, this airy treat from Abruzzo can now be found all year round.

Speaking of Italian treats in the kitchen, did you know that we offer a series of four culinary ebooks divided by season? Our "Buon Appetito" collection is chock full of classic Italian recipes that are perfect for anyone from beginners to seasoned home cooks.

For sale: This beautiful country home in Città della Pieve is our property of the week, and combines the traditional charm of a stone farmhouse with the modern comforts of a recent build (2005). Exposed stone and brick features, charming arches and portico, three bedrooms, a separate guest house, and the option of adding a swimming pool in the panoramic garden: set on the Tuscan-Umbrian border, this rural retreat is ideal for a primary or second home.

Buon weekend from Rebecca, your acting editor, and the Italy Magazine team!