Buongiorno Italy readers! 

To appreciate the immensity of the Roman empire and influence, delve into the region of Lazio to see what historical richness this region has to offer. Here are four of our favorite day trips from the city of Rome. 

From the world’s biggest Christmas tree in Gubbio to the Light & Music Show in Bressanone, from the Artist Lights of Salerno and Turin to the torches of Abbadia San Salvatore, from Candelara’s candles to Manarola's nativity scene: those who love the show of the Christmas lights can choose among many destinations in Italy.

In English, the grammar rule is to only use one negative word in a sentence. We don’t say ‘I didn’t do nothing’, or ‘I didn’t see nobody’. However, in Italian you do use double negatives, or even triple or quadruple negatives! 

Teresa Pini was 85 years old and, for 20 years, was the only year-round resident of Braia, a village near Pontremoli, in the Lunigiana area of northern Tuscany. 

When you taste gelato, there are several criteria to keep in mind, just as when you taste wine or olive oil. Learn how to spot good quality gelato that is fresh, handmade and well-balanced.

A guidebook to walking the Way of St Francis, along Via di Francesco offering an enthralling 550km pilgrimage from Florence, through Assisi to Rome through Central Italy visiting key sites from the saint's life.

We've gathered some tips and recommendations from local experts on what do on New Year's Eve in Italy. Buon anno!

The festive season in Sicily is always such a suggestive time of year to visit the island, where you will find the locals in full traditional Christmas mode. It is a prosperous season, if you don’t mind the cold, as there is always something to see, taste or experience. 

This stunning silver ring is an artisan creation unveiling a perfect reproduction of six small starfish. 

60,000 LED lights were turned on this December 8, for the traditional lighting of Rome’s Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia, as a long, bright slipstream of blue and white stars went down via del Corso.

Bigoli (or bigoi in the Veneto dialect) are a thick, spaghetti-like pasta typical of the Veneto and eastern Lombardy. 

For sale: this lovely 5-bedroom detached villa with ¼ acre of garden features direct pedestrian access of just 50 meters to the beach on Lake Como, located in the residential Boschetto area of Sorico on the northern shore of the Lake.

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