Buongiorno Italy readers! 

Summer is here, finally! And there is so much to see and do in Tuscany. Here are some of the region’s best, albeit underrated, summer festivals.

New in our dual-language series is a town perched in the hills eight kilometers’ northeast of Florence. The Etruscan hill-top village of Fiesole makes for a great day trip from the Tuscan capital.

So much is in season now—eggplants, figs, juicy tomatoes and more. Save our top three pasta recipes for the month of June. 

The 16th International Architecture Exhibition (Biennale Architettura 2018) - the world's largest event dedicated to architecture – has opened in Venice. Here’s what to see. 

For our series on ten things you can do for free in Italy's most popular cities, we head to Bologna, Emilia-Romagna’s food-loving capital which is attracting more and more visitors every year.

The Naples-based National Cancer Institute Fondazione G. Pascale has devised a pizza that is meant to promote awareness of the importance of a healthy diet to combat illnesses that are typical of developed countries, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

"Food, whether it is coffee, wine, meals are essential as a sort of lubricant to facilitating diplomacy." US Consul General Benjamin Wohlauer speaks to us about his first year in Florence. 

Pollo al Mattone, try our recipe for a split chicken rubbed down with herbs and grilled under a large brick or on the stovetop and finished in the oven. 

The perfect gift for someone who appreciates Tuscan leather craftsmanship. We are now carrying in our shop this beautiful Florentine-produced laptop holder/utility bag with an adjustable shoulder belt and metal zippers.

Looking for a country home in Italy on a budget? This three-bedroom fixer upper comes with more than 1,300 sqm. of land in Agnone, Molise.

Before you go, we ask that you join our online community all-about-Italy where we invite you to post your questions about travel or life in il bel paese. Also, check out our latest inspirational photos on Instagram.

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