Fav Reads on Italy this week – Oct 18

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: Stunning views on the Amalfi Coast

This week’s roundup covers the discovery of carvings found on a Roman wall, some great places for walks to enjoy the fall folliage, wine regions in Tuscany, an interesting sweet and savory dessert recipe and more.

Culture / Travel

Birthdate of Italian city is revealed thanks to a 2000-year-old carving of two penises found on a Roman wall by Mail Online – It’s not what you think. The pair of penises “were carved to muster some sort of protection for the dwellers of the city, against forces of evil”. This finding “could reveal the origin of Aosta”, a city in northern Italy.

Now you can reach the “sky” in Siena! by Tuscany Arts – Thrilled that the opportunity to visit the Porta del Cielo (Gate of Heaven) has been extended to January 6, 2014. If you are planning to visit Siena before then, it’s a must-visit.

Italy’s Cinque Terre: Exquisite scenery and tasty seafood by USA Today – We were there early this year and can attest to the spectacular scenery in the Cinque Terre and more importantly, it was wonderful to see that the towns have come back to life after the devastating floods.

Road Trip: Amalfi Coast, Italy by National Geographic – Indisputably one of the most amazing coastlines in Italy, the drive here is exhilarating for first-timers and always fascinating for those who frequent the towns in the area.

Fall Foliage in Italy by Green Holiday in Italy – The colors of fall are stunning and what better way to take it all in than a walk off-the-beaten-path. Here are four walks, in various regions in Italy, to enjoy the autumnal colors.

Italian Food and Drinks

Has Italy lost its passion for pasta? by The Guardian – Personally, Italians still love their pasta but health concerns have them eating less. Children still have pasta in their lunch menu and in my house, we have pasta everyday too. And as the article describes, it still plays a vital role in the regional cuisine.

10 Essential Food Rules for Americans in Italy by HuffPost Taste – This article written by Whitney Richelle, an expat in Florence, gives great advice for travelers to Italy to ensure you won’t be disappointed. You won’t find “spaghetti with meatballs” here and at most places, it’s unlikely you will have eggs for breakfast. That said some hotels do serve eggs but bed-and-breakfast places will often only serve a “sweet” breakfast.

Light mousse with figs, almonds, Tuscan salami and flowers by Tuscanycious  – I love figs and though they may no longer be in season, the use of salami in this recipe was what intrigued me. Love the creative combination of sweet and savory.

Wine Tasting in Tuscany: The Best Tuscan Wine Regions, and How to Get There by Walks of Italy – Describing the different wine regions in Tuscany and the vineyards for wine tasting.

Do-it-yourself wine tour in Florence, Italy by Girl in Florence – Georgette, a.k.a “Girl in Florence”, gives tips as well as places to stop for your own wine tour.

How to spot a top restaurant in Italy by ArtViva Italy – Another must-read article before traveling to Italy that would ensure you won’t be disappointed. Some good tips include, choosing dishes that uses ingredients that are in season and that cuisine in Italy is specific to a region.

Life in Italy

The tiny Italian village that opened its doors to migrants who braved the sea by The Guardian – With the recent tragic capsizing of a boat filled with migrants, this is a heart-warming story of how a community and their major is playing a part in helping migrants secure their future.

‘Coffee and chat’ is the king of Italian socialising by The Local – When I read that “Italians drink €1.5 billion worth of coffee a year and eat €3.9 billion worth of pastries”, I wasn’t even surprised. And you won’t either if you’ve lived here and understand that it’s deeply ingrained in the culture.

Proverbially Yours by The American – A fun read where the author shares some Roman proverbs and as their meaning in English.

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