Ciao a tutti! 

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Temperatures are soaring and we are all ready for some outdoor adventure after months of being cooped up inside. Have you ever considered sleeping under the stars in Italy? Camping, RVing, and glamping are booming across the globe as we reconcile our taste for travel with our discomfort in enclosed spaces. Here’s a deep dive into the world of everything from wild camping to luxe glamping in Italy.

We love celebrating Italy’s rich and vibrant culture of artisans and designers. This week, we shared an exclusive interview with Alessio Marzi, who today heads the storied Marzi hat makers, one of the oldest millineries in Italy. From selling humble paglia fiorentina straw hats at Florence’s Porcellino market at the turn of the 20th century to crafting elegant confections for Buckingham Palace, Marzi has been one of Italy’s premier hat makers since 1926.

After a much-heralded announcement that cruise ships would no longer be sailing through Venice’s delicate canal, the MSC Orchestra, a 92,000-ton vessel, cruised through Saint Mark’s basin and the Giudecca Canal last week. Confused? The saga of Venice’s cruise ship ban is a complicated one; we explained the latest developments here.

Calabria is becoming the new Puglia, as this southern region that once flew under most people's radars makes headlines for its fabulous coastline and authentic atmosphere. Learn more about one of its most unusual beaches, Arcomagno, in English and Italian (and check your pronunciation with the audio clip) in this week's dual-language edition of "Unusual Places in Italy".

Brunello di Montalcino was long considered the man's world of wines, both for its bold “masculine” vintages and its male-dominated production. After decades of slow change, today a number of women vintners are leading the charge with a new generation of more nuanced wines and female-headed wineries. We highlighted four of these “Women in Brunello” this week.

Sometimes it’s a challenge for English speakers to know which form of “you” to use in Italian: tu, Lei, or voi. They all can be sued to mean "you" but are used in very different situations. This week’s language article takes on the sticky question of “you”, with a quick guide to which form you should use and examples of conversation to make this confusing issue a bit more clear.

Italy is attempting to jumpstart its cultural offerings after a year of pandemic-related shutdown with a number of creative efforts. One of our favorites is the collaboration between the Verona Arena’s 2021 summer opera festival and a number of Italian museums. Each performance will be inspired by one or more top Italian museums and exhibition spaces, with artworks playing a role in the narration through spectacular video projections. 

Do you have a special occasion coming up or want to make a showstopping dessert for your next dinner party? Consider taking on the impressive “pizza dolce” from Abruzzo. It gets its name from the round pizza-like shape, but don’t be fooled. This pastry masterpiece is a luscious, multi-layer extravaganza of flavored sponge cake and custard that will wow your friends and family.

If you’re missing the flavors of Italy, this Pasta 101 gourmet food box will satisfy your taste buds until you can get back to Il Bel Paese. It includes two types of artisan pasta, three divine sauces (pesto, tomato with ricotta and pecorino, and arrabbiata), and a gorgeous olive oil...the perfect starter kit to become a real pasta master!

For sale: Looking for a Sicilian hideaway? Set between the small towns of Collesano and Campofelice on the north coast of Sicily, Villa delle Melie was recently built in the traditional island style, including exposed beams and a tiled fireplace. Perfect for year-round living, this three-bedroom home boasts a fully-glazed sunroom, beautiful infinity pool, and sweeping well-maintained estate overlooking the sea.

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