Issue 58 - January 2008

sense of place

Snow in the Valle d’Aosta. An alpine chalet snuggles into the drifts formed by the previous night’s fall

Spoleto:an Umbrian gem

Christine Webb guides us through the most important features of one of the great historical and cultural cities in Italy

Magical Sibillini

A circular tour of this mountainous area under the guidance of Gillian Price

Letters

What's on

Our guide to the most interesting events in Italy in midwinter

Insight and news

Dual language

- ‘spending a penny’ in ancient Rome In this month’s dual language feature, Fabrizio Del Piero explains how the Romans answered the call of nature

Sabbatical in Florence

In the second of our two-part feature,Monica Moretti tells us how Helen Mackenzie Smith settled into life in Florence

A collection of canine companions

Melissa Ormiston talks to Sophie Gordon, curator of The Royal Photograph Collection, about a new book recording the Royal Family’s association with Italian dogs

The Last Procession

We are pleased to present William Thompson’s winning entry in our short story competition

Languages

In our SPECIAL REVIEW SECTION, John Vitale takes a look at a multitude of ways to brush up your Italian language this year

Maria d'Arrigo: queen of Savoca

Fabrizio Fiorenzano meets a lady who helped to put her Sicilian village on the map with a little help from The Godfather

Tales of a tailor

Italian menswear designer Antonio Marras explains to Rosalind Giselle the unusual inspirations for his collections

weddings

We take a look at the challenges that lie ahead for wedding planner Marion Hunter in 2008

LA DOLCE VITA with VIVA ITALIA

A Tuscan haven

Margaret Collina takes us round a beautifully restored complex of buildings

Business

In our regular feature, Emma Bird looks at starting a franchise, working with books and house-sitting in Rome

And finally...

Project paradise

In this issue, Ian Morley is rushing to get a roof over his head before the winter really bites

Nebbiolo masterclass

Continuing our examination of great grape varieties,, Marc Millon looks at many manifestations of nebbiolo

Soup kitchen

Germaine Stafford comes up with some delicious recipes to keep out the winter chill

Table talk: Al Bano Carrisi

The first of a new series in which Germaine Stafford questions well-known Italians on their attitudes to food

Il Calcio italiano

Rebecca Lloyd looks at the surprising success of Udinese and how clubs are ‘twinned’