10 Favorite Reads on Italy this week: May 23, 2014

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: View of the Tuscan countryside from Montalcino

This week’s roundup includes why you should visit Naples, exploring Tuscany by motorcycle, learning about wines from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and more.

Culture and Travel

Around a Sardinian Table, a Fractious Debate by The New York Times – Great read that offers a glimpse to politics in Italy and more specifically views from residents in Sardinia.

More than just ham and cheese by Slow Italy – You would be forgiven to only think of Parma has home to prosciutto and parmigiano, but there are also cultural and artistic gems worth exploring in this city.

Living la dolce vita in Naples by Express – While visitors to Italy are always hesitant about visiting Naples, this vibrant city has so much to offer that you’d be missing out on the best pizza, fascinating archaeological sites, breathtaking views and more.

Discovering Lake Maggiore and its Borromean Islands by Italy Magazine – Last summer we visited Lake Garda and this year, we might be checking out this lake. For more on Lake Maggiore, here’s an article on 10 Things to do around Stresa and Lake Maggiore.

Tuscany by motorcycle: the Eroica trail by Around Tuscany – If you love motorcycles and are looking for a new adventure, this is for you. My husband has been trying to convince me for years to travel by motorcycle and after reading this article, this might have convinced me to do so. Crazy?

Food and Drinks

Torta di pasta frolla con marmellata by Ciao Lunigiana – Simple to make and with ingredients can you can easily purchase, it’s delicious too!

Fish market in Bari by Elizabeth Minchilli – Gives you a glimpse of life in Bari and it sure looks like guys-only kind of place. Love the whacking of the octopus too.

Funky grapes by The American – This article sheds light on the wines in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, “far northeastern region of Italy tucked just above the Adriatic Sea and bordering Austria and Slovenia.”

Life in Italy

An Expat’s View on “Italy: Love It or Leave It” by Dream of Italy – While many visitors are seduced by the beauty of Italy and dream of living here, little do they see the challenges of daily life. A heart-breaking reads that accurately portrays the situation in Italy.

Letter From an Electric Bus in Rome by Huffington Post – Among my group of friends, we call it the 6-pack bus. A look at how things have changed (or not) in Rome in the past 8 years. Either way, for me, Rome is now home.

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