Ciao a tutti! 

Now that travel is starting to pick up, you may be planning a trip by rail across Italy. If you find you have a bit of extra time in Bologna before your train departs, here are some great insider tips for quick sightseeing, grabbing a bite on the run, picking up some last-minute souvenirs, and more!

Gio Ponti is among the most influential Italians of the 20th century, known for his iconic architecture and interior design. An important volume about Ponti's life and work was released by the art book publisher Taschen this spring and we wanted to join in the celebration by highlighting his groundbreaking architecture across Italy.

Italy continues to rack up UNESCO World Heritage Sites with the addition of two more stunning treasures of art and archaeology last week. With Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles and the Porticoes of Bologna, Italy currently is home to 58 UNESCO-listed places, monuments, art, and architecture, making it the country with the highest number in the world.

Widely considered one of the most spectacular beaches in Italy, the Scala dei Turchi (‘Stair of the Turks’) is a dazzling white cliff rising above the deep turquoise waters along the coast of Realmonte, near Porto Empedocle, in the province of Agrigento, Sicily. Learn more about this uniquely dramatic stretch of coastline in English and Italian in this week's dual-language article!

The southern region of Campania is one of the best in Italy for archaeology buffs. If you think once you’ve seen Pompeii, you’ve seen all the area’s ancient sites...think again! Campania has many other archeological ruins that are equally interesting and less crowded. Here are some of the best.

Almost seven centuries ago, Dante’s son Pietro fell in love with the stunning landscape west of Verona and bought an estate called Tenuta Possessioni, where he began the vineyard which flourishes today under the care of the family’s 20th and 21st generations. Sommelier and wine writer Cynthia Chaplin visited for a tour and tasting.

Knowing how to use direct object pronouns is key to mastering spoken and written Italian that sounds natural. This week we reviewed how to choose the correct form of each pronoun and included three quizzes to help you test your ability. Take a look here.

Our recipe by Francine Segan this week is a cool, fruity strawberry cake—the perfect finish to a summer dinner with friends and family. Learn how to combine ladyfingers, strawberries, eggs, cream, and a splash of dessert wine to make a deliciously refreshing, light dessert.

Travel virtually to the captivating region of Emilia-Romagna in our Summer 2021 issue of Bellissimo. We took a deep dive into the fabulous local cuisine, iconic sports cars, and unforgettable art and culture with short takes, long features, and dozens of dazzling photos.

For sale: This gorgeous ex-monastery near Urbino in Le Marche has been tastefully turned into a luxurious villa, a truly one-of-a-kind property. Five gorgeous bedrooms, a majestic library, a private swimming pool surrounded by an elegant garden, and panoramic views over the surrounding hills….What more could you ask for?

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