Ciao a tutti! 

The small island of Procida set in the Bay of Naples is a hot destination this year, not least because it was named Italian Cultural Capital for 2022. In addition to its endearing frozen-in-time vibe, the island is also known for its unique “cala cala” cuisine. Learn more about Procida’s culinary history and classic dishes with food writer Luciana Squadrilli. 

Italy’s museums are facing two seemingly opposing challenges: decreased ticket sales after 18 months of Covid-related closures and the overtourism of the previous years that is expected to return as travel bounces back. Florence’s Uffizi Galleries has come up with a solution that both brings its collection to more visitors yet doesn’t concentrate the masses in a single location: Uffizi Diffusi. 

Alongside reopened museums, Italy offers a wide range of cultural and culinary events this month from music and theater festivals to barbecue blowouts and Celtic (yes, Celtic) celebrations. Browse the top July events as gathered by John Bensalhia and mark your calendars!

If you’re planning on getting around Italy by rail in the near future, you may find yourself with a bit of time to kill before your train departs. To fill that final hour in Florence, Phoebe Hunt has a number of suggestions for quick culture, a snack on the run, and even where to pick up a few last-minute Florentine souvenirs on the fly.

Countless movies over the years have been set in Italy, but few have captured the essence of Il Bel Paese as accurately as the new Disney/Pixar release, "Luca". This heartwarming story is set in 1950s Portorosso, a fictional seaside town on the Italian Riviera, and was directed by Italian Enrico Casarosa. Learn more about this “love letter to the summers of our youth” in Travel to the Italian Riviera with Pixar’s New Animated Film “Luca”.

Taormina's ancient Greek Theater, built in the 3rd century BC and the second largest of its kind in Sicily (after the Greek Theater of Syracuse), is one of Italy's most spectacular archaeological wonders. “Never has a theater audience had such a show before them,” wrote Goethe in his famous ‘Italian Journey’ travelogue. Learn more about the history and architecture of this magnificent ruin in English and Italian (and listen to the Italian audion clip) in this week's dual-language article.

With the return of travel comes the need for some “pocket Italian”, or those few words or phrases that will make getting around the country, dining, and connecting with locals just that much easier. We shared seven top Italian phrases you shouldn’t leave home without this week to cover everything from finding the restroom to connecting to Wi-Fi.

Want to have just a bit more Italian at your fingertips for your upcoming trip? With Italian with Davide, you can learn basic Italian at your own pace with independent video lessons, backed up with quizzes, printable summaries, and support via Telegram and WhatsApp. This independent beginner Italian course is taking registrations through this week.

Light as air and lemon-infused, Francine Segan’s Paradise Lemon Cake (Torta Paradiso) is the perfect summer snack or dessert. This tangy cake is moist inside but satisfies with a terrific crunchy crust outside. The secret to its incredibly silky mouth-feel? Click through to find out!
 
We have been highlighting a number of Venetian artisans over the past few weeks. For a more exhaustive guide to the Floating City’s exquisite crafts and the people who keep these local traditions alive, take a look at contributor Laura Morelli’s Made in Venice: A Travel Guide to Murano Glass, Carnival Masks, Gondolas, Lace, Paper, & More. This guide will help you separate authentic handmade works of art from cheap imitations so you’ll be sure to go home with a treasure.

For sale: The prestigious 19th-century Villa Baldelli Bombelli is a beautiful yet eclectic noble residence in the Umbrian countryside covering a sweeping 1,100 sq. m. on three levels. In addition to its 28 rooms (including 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms), the property boasts a marvelous outdoor space that charms in spring and summer with its lush ornamental plants, towering cedars, pines, and cypresses, and a beautiful holm oak wood plus an olive grove.

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