Ciao a tutti! 

The heat is on! When the mercury starts to climb, Italians turn to chilly treats to cool off. From gelato and granita to the local Roman specialty, grattachecca, here are the top icy delights in Italy to seek out during the dog days of summer.

This past week we held a live Facebook Q&A with Fabrizio, sustainable travel expert and owner of Italia Sweet Italia to chat about the authentic side of Abruzzo. If you missed it, you can see the recording here and learn more about what this spectacular region of Italy has to offer. Plus, nab the Italy Magazine discount code to save between $200 and $400 per person on a small-group tour (in the comments).

Astrotourism is booming and Italy is rich in dark-sky sites where you can lay under a blanket of stars and ponder the universe. From Valle d’Aosta's UNESCO recognition as the country’s first "stellar park" to glamping destinations, boutique hotels, mountain peaks, and everything in between...Phoebe Hunt put together the most beautiful stargazing spots in Italy.

Italians have been soaking away their cares in hot springs since ancient Roman times and a trip to the "terme" is still a popular pastime in Italy today. Among the most beautiful wild springs is Cascate del Mulino in the Maremma area of southern Tuscany, part of the world-famous Terme di Saturnia. Learn more about this iconic thermal bath in English and Italian in this week's dual-language article.

We are thrilled to announce that journalist and Italy Magazine contributor Jamie Mackay released his new book The Invention of Sicily: A Mediterranean History this week, and we were able to get a sneak peek at this thoughtful exploration of the history and culture of one of the most captivating islands in the Mediterranean. Read our exclusive review by James Appleton here. 

We’ve been reviewing how to conjugate Italian verbs over the past few weeks, and our newest language article focuses on regular and irregular verbs ending in ‘-ire’ These can be tricky because they have two regular conjugation endings, but our explanation, examples, and interactive quiz will help you get your bearings.

Discover the flavors of the Aeolian archipelago (just off the northern coast of Sicily) with this week’s island-inspired salad featuring Mediterranean staples like tuna and capers. Domenica Marchetti introduced us to the perfect light but tasty meal for a hot summer night!

Not sure what to serve on these torrid summer evenings? Our Summer Recipe eBook contains light antipasto, primo, secondo, and dolce ideas to inspire your seasonal cooking with authentic Italian classics. Each recipe features traditional Italian ingredients and techniques and is simple to prepare. Recipes include Mozzarella di Bufala Salad with Pepper Cream, Panzanella: Italian Bread Salad, and Limoncello Sorbet.

For sale: Call a fantastically panoramic spot in the hills of Tuscany home with this 190-square-meter villa spread over a single floor. Relax in the living room with a fireplace, spacious kitchen, three guest bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a main bedroom with a walk-in closet and private bathroom. Highlights include a scenic infinity pool and solar panels for low operating costs.

If you love our newsletter and the in-depth articles and exclusive interviews we publish each week, subscribe to Italy Magazine! In addition to access to all our Premium Content, you’ll receive a members-only newsletter each month that includes discounts on everything from tours to gourmet food baskets worth hundreds of dollars. Plus, you can download all our eBooks, quarterly Bellissimo magazine, and wallpapers absolutely free. ☕ All this for less than the cost of a cappuccino a week….

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