Ciao a tutti! 

With each passing day, Italy moves towards “normal life” again. Outdoor tables at restaurants and cafés are overflowing, schools and offices are opening back up for in-person attendance, and even the nation’s museums are shaking off the dust covers and welcoming visitors after months of echoing empty galleries. The Vatican Museums and the Uffizi Gallery reopened the first week of May, the latter unveiling 13 new rooms devoted to more than 100 masterpieces from the 16th-century. Florence’s most famous museum also launched a new entrance system to reduce lines and crowds, making it an even more attractive stop on your next visit to this Renaissance capital. 

Though Italy is expected to begin allowing leisure travel over the next few weeks, you can take a virtual trip to il bel paese in the meantime via Andrew Cotto’s new book, “Cucina Romana: Another Italian Adventure”. Andrew took us through the locations featured in this culinary romp last week, touching on towns and cities from Tuscany to Campania.

Some come to Italy for the culture, some for the cuisine. But some come to trace their family history and reconnect with their roots. Last week, we were privileged to share the story of Mary Louise Tucker, who had heard stories from her nonno about life in Abruzzo before he emigrated to Philadelphia as a 14-year-old boy. She has traveled to Italy many times to put the pieces of her family history together and her story may inspire you to search out your Italian roots, as well! 

Speaking of iconic Florentine sights, the city’s iconic Boboli Gardens are also open again. Take a stroll through the park to admire the Buontalenti Grotto, a masterpiece of the Mannerist style blending architecture, painting, and sculpture. The grotto, known as the “Grotta Grande” in Italian, sits in the far northern reaches near the entrance to the Vasari Corridor. You can learn about this landmark in both English and Italian in our dual-language article (and listen to the correct pronunciation via the audio clip!).

Have an hour to spare at Rome’s Termini train station? Make the most of every minute in Italy’s capital city with our guide covering the top nearby sights, from Roman ruins to Renaissance churches. We also give you tips for a final Roman meal, be it traditional fare at a nearby family-run trattoria or a gourmet rooftop restaurant. (You can follow the links in the article to our ultimate guide to train travel in Italy and what to do with an hour to spare at Venice’s Santa Lucia train station.)

Who would have thought that something as universally appreciated as coffee could spark a lively debate? But two different candidates fighting for international recognition of their contributions to world coffee heritage has made Italy ask, "Is espresso a fundamentally Italian or Neapolitan tradition?"

Italian pronunciation is usually quite straightforward, but there are a few tricks to the trade! Learning how to pronounce the letter “c” is a huge step in conquering Italian phonetics and help you sound more Italian in conversation. Take a look at our new and improved guide, curated by the expert language instructors at the Italiano Porticando language school in Turin.

This week’s Italian recipe turned some heads! Two culinary worlds creatively collided with this dish that combines quintessentially Italian pasta with the world of Japanese sushi. This “pasta sushi” substitutes pasta shells for white rice, making a beautiful, Japanese-inspired but Italian-flavored one-bite appetizer or first-course dish that's ideal for warm weather. 

If you enjoyed Andrew Cotto’s article on the locations that were featured in his latest book, order both of his culinary adventures at a special price. Choose our “Cucina Tipica: An Italian Adventure” + “Cucina Romana: Another Italian Adventure” bundle and follow Jacoby Pines through both his food-filled, wine-soaked adventures in Italy.

For sale: Set on the sunny side of the hamlet of Cappella just 5 km from Lucca, this stunning stone villa overlooks the valley, offering an amazing view of the countryside. The property includes a delightful garden and terrace, as well as a private swimming pool. This luxurious villa is encircled by olive groves that produce one of the most delicious olive oils of all Tuscany.

Buon weekend from Rebecca, your acting editor, and the Italy Magazine team!