Collecapretta, Spoleto

Collecapretta, Spoleto

Vinnie and I were driving down the motorway listening to one of the myriad of FM music stations with which Italian airwaves are awash. The Italians are a very musical people and I was musing about what would have happened if rock ‘n roll had been born in Italy rather...
A Fine Fiano

A Fine Fiano

Because there is so much to see in Italy, from the dazzling Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna to the Renaissance glories of Florence, it can be quite overwhelming. It is also only too easy to miss some of the less obvious but often fascinating aspects of this historic...
A Great Grechetto

A Great Grechetto

He is a fortunate man upon whom destiny choses to smile. However, the man who understands and cherishes his good fortune, he is truly blessed. Such a man is Filippo Peppucci. He produces his wine in the timeless landscapes around the mediaeval town of Todi in Umbria...
A Lush Lacrima

A Lush Lacrima

The Adriatic coast is where many Italians choose to spend their holidays and the beaches around Senigallia in the Marche are always particularly popular. Thirteen kilometres of beaches, the famous Spiaggia di Velluto or Velvet Beach, so called because of the fine...
Cacciatore di Cònero

Cacciatore di Cònero

Vinnie and I were driving in the Marche and heading towards Monte Cònero. This high peak, behind the regional capital, Ancona, has for thousands of years served as a navigational landmark for ancient sailors. “So what is the national tree of Italy?” I asked my ancient...