"(...)it really is hard to believe that it is Christmas time already. I always associate this time of year in Italy with three things: huge disco-style lights flashing incongruously outside rustic farmhouses, colourful boxes of panettoni piled high in the shops and the presepi or Christmas cribs which are found everywhere from supermarkets to village shrines. Crib making is one area where DIY is definitely an acceptable option ( the other sort of DIY - involving decking and making your own kitchen is definitely not as popular here!) (...) This month's festive Italian Job features Marco Ferrigno, a Neapolitan presepio maker who is lovingly carrying on a family tradition. What a wonderful way to make a living!"
Fiona Tankard - Italy Magazine Editor Read on for the contents of the
December Issue or click here to order the issue online
sense of place
The Christmas market at Vipiteno, Alto Adige lights up the town
winter wonderland
The South Tyrol is a unique and magical part of Italy with an eclectic mix of cultures as Steve Norman discovers.
Siracusa: Sicily's southern gem
The secrets of this diverse and lively city on the South-east coast of Sicily are revealed by Stefano Rossini
letters
what's on
Our guide to this month's most interesting events
Italian insight and news
book reviews
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Snow scenes in Italian paintings are rare but Aleid Ford has tracked some down
dual language
In this issue's dual language article, Fabrizio del Piero considers the lasting effects of the 2000 Jubilee
Keats in Rome
In the final months of his life John Keats travelled to Rome hoping for recovery Amanda Hodges retraces his steps
a weekend in the wine country
Marc Millon finds a short visit to Barolo is good for the soul
natale in molise
Giovanna Maj helps Germaine Stafford plan 'un natale veramente tradizionale'
day tripper
Let Christine Webb be your guide in the sparkling city of RAVENNA
fun on the slopes in the Olympic resort
Sestriere is the place for a great skiing holiday whatever the weather, as Gordon Lethbridge explains
Marco Ferrigno - maker of models for monarchs
Blake Evans-Pritchard and Violetta Polese track down a Neapolitan maker of Christmas figurines
The gardens of Villa Taranto
Sue Robinson visits a garden by Lake Maggiore that proved a labour of love
ascetic but very aesthetic
A most unusual grotto is discovered by Adam Buttler in the Tiber Valley
fashion and beauty
Julia M. Chiarella gets the inside scoop on what make-up artists have to say about Italian women and their cosmetics
real life
David and Alexander Bolton found that taking their Dalmation to Italy was quite an experience
business
Our regular feature by Emma Bird looks at how to open a B&B as well as teaching English in an Italian school
what's available in... Valtaro and Valceno
Luigi Cavalli recommends this little-known area of northern Italy for those in search of a bargain
