Buongiorno Italy readers!

High above the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea on a series of steep rocky cliffs are the enchanting seaside villages of Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast. 

To walk the narrow streets of Squillace in Calabria, you would never guess that this off-the-beaten-track town of descending alleyways, unpretentious restaurants, and artisan studios boasts one of the most enduring legacies of ceramics production in all of Italy.

These fused glass dishes are handcrafted by experimenting with glass, dust, and colors taking inspiration from nature by the artisan. 

On the south-eastern coast of Sicily is a string of marine villages and wild beaches suited for a serene holiday dictated by leisurely nature walks, long lunches with a sea view, naps on the beach, all in the spirit of slow travel.

Michelin-star chef Riccardo Agostini of Il Piastrino in Emilia-Romagna created a seafood-version of traditional Tuscan panzanella for Rimini’s yearly Al Méni artisan food festival, we share the recipe here. 

In this week’s language lesson, we’re going to look at ways to describe a place as being busy or crowded (as August is traditionally the month when Italians travel on vacation). We’ll also look at some idiomatic expressions around this topic.

Tourists and residents in Rome are no longer allowed to sit on the Spanish Steps, the effect of a new set of rules introduced earlier this summer to try to regulate the conduct of masses of visitors to the Eternal City.

A beloved recipe that is known, emulated and revisited the world over, pasta alla carbonara is associated with Roman cuisine, but its origins are unclear. We discuss variations and its history in our latest #duallanguage article. 

After 700 years, will Dante return home to Florence? The dispute started after La Repubblica, Italy’s major daily, published an article hinting at ongoing negotiations 

Nestled in the picturesque hills in the unique regional reserve of Campo Soriano, recently listed as one of Italy's last unspoilt places, and just a short drive to the beautiful coastal town of Terracina with its glorious beaches, Casale Mary is the ideal romantic Italian home many dream of, but seldom find.

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