Buongiorno Italy readers! 

Located 8 miles south of Padua, Villa Draghi is yet another undiscovered jewel in Italy’s vast array of architectural treasures, in a little green oasis far from the crowds of nearby cities.

"Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire." From proverbs to folk sayings, here are some of the best Italian quotes about family. 

It's thought that the flavorful combination of fried potatoes and sweet peppers originated as a filling for the bread known as pitta chjina ('stuffed bread') in the Italian peninsula's southernmost region but we think it makes for the perfect savory dinner or side dish. 

A new room dedicated to artist Leonardo da Vinci opens in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence with three of his greatest masterpieces now in one place "the Adoration of the Magi", "the Annunciation", and the "Baptism of Christ.” 

The first stretch of Garda by Bike, the bicycle track positioned 50 meters above Lake Garda in northern Italy, has just opened. The track has attracted much attention because it is not only spectacular, but has also adopted ingenious engineering solutions.

We talked Rome heritage preservation, over-tourism and how digital technologies can help with archeologist & Rome expert Darius Arya. 

150 years ago, at the border between the central Italian regions of Lazio and Abruzzo, the so-called ‘Gang of Cartore’ hid in the wild mountainous area at the foot of Mount Velino, fighting against the invasion of the House of Savoy –enjoy our latest dual-language read. 

Getting married in Italy, be it in a fairytale hamlet up on the hills or on a stunning beach, is just the cherry on the cake; yet nothing can compare to how big, long (and usually expensive) the experience is of getting married in Southern Italy, as long as one sticks to local traditions.

Get this olive wood ring, with brass and pearl, designed and handmade in Italy by artisan Roberta Risolo.

Channeling summer in a handbag: this Porto Mannu Bag is entirely handmade by craftsmen in Lazio with genuine leather and python leather details in a pretty white and pale blue. 

For sale: this two-bedroom semi-detached stone house with ample garden, located in a beautiful position close to Poppi, with superb panoramic views over the Casentino valley, some 60km to the east of #Florence, and about 41km north of Arezzo.

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