Italy Magazine Issue 57 - December 2007

CHRISTMAS in Italy is magical. The decorations are put up in December rather than at the end of summer, it often snows (particularly in the countryside) and the sun shines through the chilly winds. Some people do say that this time of year is getting more commercial in Italy, perhaps it is, but there is no doubt that more importantly it’s the time of year that families get together. At this very moment, there are thousands of parents and grandparents excited about hugging their adventurous bambini who have maybe started university, moved to another part of Italy or even abroad to discover a new lifestyle. Of course Italian Christmas get-togethers wouldn’t be the same without the traditional Christmas dinner and who can resist (other than vegetarians of course) the crostini ai fegatini di pollo? For those thinking of entertaining over the festive season then turn to page 32.
Germaine Stafford has been introduced to Antonio Sorrentino, of the award-winning Furore Inn, who lets us into the secrets of making some very glamorous finger food. I was staring in wonder for ages at the photo of pressed octopus when I first saw it – how did he get it to look so perfect?

Melissa Ormiston - Italy Magazine Editor

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Read on for the contents of the November Issue.

sense of place

The lovely setting of a square in Aosta with its Christmas tree really captures the seasonal spirit

golden Lucca

We take a trip round the walled city, which has something to suit everyone from food to music, in the company of Christine Webb

Vieste: capital of the Gargano

Tamzin Hardy is our guide to this small but entrancing town on Italy’s ‘spur’

letters

what's on

Our guide to the most interesting events in Italy around Christmas time

insight and news

dual language

– Merry Christmas… but when was Jesus really born
In this month’s dual language feature, Fabrizio Del Piero tries to unravel this age-old mystery

Renaissance Siena: art for a city

Rosalind Giselle takes a look at some of the main works in the beautiful exhibition being held at the National Gallery in London

book reviews

sabbatical in Florence

In the first of a two-part feature, Helen Mackenzie Smith describes an art and history course on the Renaissance

under the arch of constantine

John Hannavy, photographic historian, looks at photography in Rome then and now

the lure of Venice

John Vitale makes some suggestions to help get the most from a visit to La Serenissima

Grace Solero: shy face of a star

Monica Moretti talks to a rock singer who is making it big outside her native country

luxe be a lady tonight

This winter, fashion is all about luxury materials, as Gilly Turney explains

Villa Negri on Lake Como

Jane McNeill visits a lovingly restored family home in a beautiful location

business

In our regular feature, Emma Bird looks at being employed, teaching in an international school and starting a business in Padua

and finally

the magic of moscato

With the holiday season fast approaching, Marc Millon recommends some festive wines made from this versatile grape

festive finger food

Chef Antonio Sorrentino shows Germaine Stafford how to organise the food for a festive drinks party

foodie fun in ... Trentino Alto Adige and Valle d’Aosta

Germaine Stafford suggests ten fun activities for food lovers in these mountain regions on opposite sides of the country

il calcio italiano

Rebecca Lloyd ooks at an unpleasant aspect of Italian football and fixtures for the festive season

project paradise

Ian Morley weighs up Italian and British ways of dealing with heating and electricity charges

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