Ciao a tutti! 

Now that travel is returning to Italy, workshops and ateliers of all kinds are opening back up. To honor the country’s rich artisan tradition, we highlighted a modern-day "remèr", one of only four (and the youngest) left in Venice who still make handcrafted oars and oarlocks local "gondolieri" use to navigate their sleek crafts through the canals. Learn more about this art that dates back to the 14th century.

In a new take on Italy’s artisan traditions, Fendi combines "it bag" trendiness with historic craftsmanship in its newly unveiled Hand in Hand collection, which reinterprets the iconic Baguette handbag via a selected master artisan from each of Italy's 20 regions. From leather to silver filigree, these bags are one-of-a-kind masterpieces that showcase Italy's design prowess.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Rome irritated fans of traditional artisan pizza with its first pizza vending machine, installed in the university quarter of the city. Reactions fell, ahem, flat but it was one of our most debated articles of the week.

May is The Month of Mary, according to Catholic tradition, and across Italy, you’ll see statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary adorned with spring flowers to celebrate her holy status. Rome is home to 26 churches dedicated to Santa Maria, many replacing temples that were dedicated to Roman goddesses...so female worship was simply transformed. Here are five fabulous Marian churches in the Eternal City, home to artistic and architectural treasures.

Our dual-language articles are grouped into two themes: Wonders of Italy and Unusual Places in Italy. This week, a clifftop village in Calabria that had been abandoned for decades but today is home to a thriving community of artists and artisans was our highlighted unusual place. Learn about this captivating oddity in both English and Italian (and listen to the Italian audio clip).

After a long hiatus, in-person festivals are returning to the delight of music, gardening, and literature enthusiasts. Here is our list of upcoming events for the month of June, but remember to check the websites for any last-minute changes and be cautious while you enjoy the ushering in of the summer season!

Archaeological treasures are continually unearthed in Pompeii, but they have often ended up in the wrong hands in the past. Recently, six pilfered fresco fragments dating from the first century AD were returned to the site to the relief of scholars and ancient history buffs across the globe. Read about their discovery and return here.

Nothing opens doors in a new country faster than being polite...and Italy is no exception. Here’s how to make friends and influence people, as they say, even in your second language.

An increasing number of people are avoiding gluten, so if you’re looking for a traditional Italian dish that's also gluten-free, try our weekly recipe for blecs. This northern specialty features buckwheat/cornmeal pasta tossed with sage-infused butter and smoked cheese and is a surprisingly creative main course perfect for anyone who follows a gluten-free diet.

This 100% pure Italian linen table runner adds a touch of Tuscan elegance to your mise en place. Its hand-embroidered design makes it a timeless keepsake and a striking centerpiece for romantic meals for two or large celebrations with friends and family. 

For sale: This magnificent villa in Le Marche was designed and restored with two functions in mind: luxury and joyful liveability. The result is a house with style, modern materials of the highest quality, and many multi-use spaces, including a home cinema and a sunny winter garden.

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