Excited for the summer? So are we! If you need a little help planning your trip, we suggest going for a smaller, more intimate tour experience. We also have lined up this special slideshow of top Italian beaches that happen to be eco-friendly. Also a guest author includes her personal thoughts on why spending a little more in Venice might be a good thing. Visiting Pisa is so much more than just a quick look at the leaning tower, here are some additional tips on what to see in one of Tuscany’s most famous and underrated cities. Artichokes are much more versatile than you think! Try this recipe for fried ‘carciofi’ that are a favorite from Rome, and just for fun we have another fried recipe but this time for bufala mozzarella! For those with a bit of a sweet-tooth, we suggest 12 of our favorite summer desserts. Since raspberries are in season, this recipe for a special sorbet is one of our top picks! Our language tips of the week include this ‘at home’ vocabulary roundup and tips on what you should know before renting a vacation stay. Our products for this week are this special Gucci fragrance to bring a ‘sweet’ smell into summer, and the classic, but mandatory MOKA coffee maker, for an authentic Italian experience from wherever you are. Our featured properties for sale include this beautiful Sardinian villa in Porto Cervo and a prestigious farmhouse in Piedmont, a foodie hotspot that is growing in popularity on the boot! Have a question about Italy? Ask our trusted community, sign up is free (and easy) and we encourage you to join the discussion!