By chance, a few years ago, I caught a glimpse of a Moto GP race on the TV. I confess that men on bikes speeding endlessly around a track had about as much appeal as being offered a plate of tripe, but on that day I thought something short of a miracle happened. In the final 30 seconds of the race the bike in second place suddenly surged forward and overtook the leading bike so closely that he clipped the front wheel of his competitor and he won with literally nanoseconds to spare. I stood there with my mouth open and heart pounding - who was this maniac that would overtake not only at such a speed but also on the inside with his knee literally brushing the track? It was a certain Valentino Rossi. I have been one of his biggest fans ever since and I am sure that all Moto GP fans will agree that he is as exciting to watch today as ever. For all of you that, as I did, think that Moto GP is a bit dull then read Rebecca Lloyd’s feature on page 51, log onto the website www.motogp.com and find out when the next race is and you won’t be disappointed.
Melissa Ormiston - Italy Magazine Editor
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Read on for the contents of the August Issue.
sense of place
These oilseed plants provide some hard-earned cash and a good stock of seeds for the farmers of Selci Lama
a double dose of red
Christine Webb explains how politics and architecture both contribute to the colour of Bologna
a pearl of Puglia
The port city of Trani has a lot to offer the discerning visitor, as Tamzin Hardy discovers
letters
what's on
Our guide to the most interesting events in Italy in summer
insight and news
dual language
- Lucca’s Buca di Sant’Antonio
Peter Shaw describes the attractions of this special Tuscan city, especially one of its characterful restaurants
book reviews
I Pooh: children of the sixties
Mark Worden meets a band who have truly stood the test of time
Pennyblack
Rosalind Giselle takes a closer look at the Italian label to be seen in for autumn-winter ’07
business
In our regular feature, Emma Bird looks at unemployment benefit, teaching certification and showcasing British food in Naples
and finally
case study:
- project paradise
We start our brand new series looking at the experience of buying and restoring a house
what’s available in ... La Sila
We look at the attractions of this less well-known area of Calabria with Yvonne Menonte
a journey through Italy in a bottle
Continuing our new mini-series, Marc Millon looks at the wines from three regions in Italy’s north-east
shelf life
Get stocked up with all manner of preserves, to turn your kitchen into a real Italian larder. Germaine Stafford shows you how
foodie fun ... Friuli
Germaine Stafford suggests ten fun activities for food lovers in this fascinating region
hotels
In this exclusive series for italy, Mairiona Cotter recommends a selection of hotels in Puglia
in to the blue
We share the wonderful experience of sailing on Sardinia’s east coast with David Sandhu
il calcio italiano
Rebecca Lloyd looks at the transfer market and the prospects for the coming season
motomondiale
Italian riders continue to dominate all classes in motorcycle GPs, as Rebecca Lloyd discovers
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