Fav Reads On Italy This Week: Nov 8

Favorite Reads on Italy (FRI) is a weekly roundup published on Fridays featuring interesting articles, fascinating experiences, and handy resources that I’ve come across that week.

Postcard from Italy: Duomo of Florence – Brunelleschi’s dome

This week’s roundup includes a fantastic read on Umbria, exploration of Roman aqueducts, getting off-the-beaten-path in Venice, and a recipe that’s apparently Brunelleschi’s favorite dish.

Culture and Travel

Winter in Italy by About.com Italy Travel – I agree that if you don’t mind the cold, it’s a great time to visit Italy. Flights are obviously cheaper and crowds less intense than in summer. I’ll add that depending on which city you are visiting, winter can sometimes be mild. As I write, we are still enjoying beautiful sunny days in Rome although it is November.

Lasers and robots explore ancient Rome’s hidden aqueducts by The Telegraph – While the brilliance of ancient Roman is evident thanks to monuments and iconic buildings like the Colosseum, what lies beneath is equally fascinating. Romans were clearly “incredible engineers” and their ability to build aqueducts to supply fresh water to Rome was an impressive feat.

The Many Floods of Venice by Onward (National Geographic) – This article highlights the immense influx of tourists that visit the city annually as well as the challenges of dealing with the floods, acqua alta, that occur every year.

Italy says to limit large cruise ship traffic in Venice by Reuters – On the topic of Venice, it was just announced this week and with immediate effect that the city will begin to reduce the number of cruise ship traffic in the lagoon. That’s great news as everyone is aware of the fragile state of Venice and finally, after much talk, action is being taken.

In Umbria, the poor man’s Tuscany, you can live like a king by Washington Post – This is a fantastic read and for me it’s a crying shame that Umbria is always compared to its famed neighbor, Tuscany. Every region, though bearing some similarities, have their own appeal. While I do love Tuscany – how can you don’t be mesmerized by its rolling hills – I often find myself in Umbria and spell bounded by charming towns such as Spello, Orvieto, Todi and of course, Norcia, a gastronomic paradise.

Trieste, Italy: a cultural city guide by The Telegraph Travel – I’ve never been to Trieste, and boasting castles and a piazza that rivals that of Piazza San Marco, it has just made my bucket-list that bit longer.

Burano, Italy Is The Cheeriest Little Island, And It Will Lift Your Soul On Travel Tuesday by Huffington Post – Not so much a read but if you’re having a dull day and need some color in your life, this post is for you. The vibrant colors of this town will surely cheer you up!

Discover the “other” Venice by Italian Talks – The last time I was in Venice, and that was a while back, it was a last-minute trip and I found myself smack in the middle of the tourist attractions in the peak of summer. Battling the crowds, I swore that the next time I’m back, I’m going off-the-beaten-path in Venice. This “other” Venice sounds like the perfect place for me.

Five things to do in Merano by Cecchi – Situated in the region of South Tyrol, Merano is hosting the Merano Wine Festival this weekend. This town makes for a perfect destination all year round. I spent this past summer in South Tyrol and can’t wait to see the beauty of this place as a winter wonderland.

Italian Food and Drinks

Peposo, a black peppercorn beef stew, Brunelleschi’s favourite dish by Juls Kitchen – Need ideas to use up the leftover red wine? This dish is apparently also a favorite of Brunelleschi’s – yep, that Brunelleschi – “the most famous architect of the Italian Renaissance”. With some beef shank in the freezer, I’ll be attempting the recipe this weekend.

Life in Italy

Hunting for Chestnuts, Poisonous Mushrooms and Wild Boar by Tiana Kai – Fall is a fantastic time in Italy as there is a bevy of activities that includes olive and grape harvest, mushroom picking, truffles, chestnuts and more. Tiana shares her week in the Tuscan countryside near Florence and indulges in chestnuts roasted on an open fire.

Have you come across any great reads or resources on Italy this week? Share them with us in the comments below.