Italian pasta recipes can get creative and while it might seem like a strange combination to some, there is more than one example in Italy of pasta and potato served together. As summer in Italy approaches and we’re in a heat wave right now, pasta is still a great dish to serve as long as you keep it light. This fresh, summer feeling and experimental dish uses the traditional Italian product of pesto sauce, with linguine and potatoes.

For four people, you’ll need: 300 gr of linguine, 300 gr of broad beans, 300 gr of potatoes, one large bunch of basil, one bunch of rocket lettuce, two tablespoons of pistachio nuts, one clove of garlic, four tablespoons of grated pecorino cheese, extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper.

Wash and clean the rocket and basil, peel the garlic clobe and put it through a food processor with the pistachios and some salt and pepper. Add the basil and rocket and mix again. Blanche the broad beans slightly in some boiling salty water and take off the skin. Peel and chop the potatoes and boil for ten minutes. Boil the linguine pasta with the broad beans in some water, drain but keep the water aside.

Toss the pesto sauce through the pasta and add some of the water if it’s too dry. As a last flourish, add the pecorino cheese and serve. This would do with a nice bottle of Italian white wine, possibly from the Liguria region as this regional cuisine is home to the pesto sauce.

Photo | Flickr

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There is nothing like a summer holiday in Italy in Liguria to bring back atmospheres of old European luxury, late evening promenades in the sunset and elderly locals playing bocce. The Royal Hotel Sanremo is one luxury Italian hotel that will help in that nostalgia. It’s a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and has already opened for 2011 summer in Italy vacations.

The Royal Hotel Sanremo is a five-star hotel at the Riviera dei Fiori. In the past it has been a favourite destination of European aristocracy and has maintained the interior renaissance-like decorating of times gone by. The large rooms have ceiling affrescoes and the restaurant is decked out in Murano glass. There is a tropical garden, a swimming pool with sea water and a Royal Wellness centre.

The 2011 season offers romantic weekends in Liguria with tastings of local dishes and wellness packages. You can find all the various special offers at the Sanremo Royal Hotel on its website, and we feature a few after the jump.

Continue reading: Luxury hotel stay in Sanremo, Liguria: Royal Hotel Sanremo and health spa

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Today is the fourth annual International Day for Italian Cuisine and this year’s focus is the regional Italian cuisine dish of pesto from Liguria. Genoa is the home of Italy’s famous pesto sauce and this edition follows the previous celebration of local Italian products and cuisine after carbonara pasta sauce, Milanese saffron risotto and Bologna’s old favourite tagliatelle with ragù were showcased in previous years.

We already published our traditional homemade pesto sauce and when done well, with fresh, Ligurian basil, it’s a delight. The international day and its pesto sauce making worldwide competition stipulates that chefs must use Ligurian basil, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, Pecorino cheese and sea salt.

The day ultimately aims to help protect Italian traditional cooking and ingredients, which are often subject to imitations that attempt to cash in on the industry and tradition. While there is obviously a business case to be made in protecting the Italian culinary industry, the country is also concerned about protecting its cultural heritage. Look out for some traditional pesto dishes in your local restaurants today!

Source | Italymag

Photo | Flickr

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The Cinque Terre in Italy are among the world’s most beautiful coastal locations, according to the National Geographic’s geotourism survey. The location is one of my personal favourites in Italy, having been there once and hiked the coastline, enjoying a dip in the warmest sea I’ve experienced (I’m used to more ocean temperatures though, so it’s not saying much on an international, warm water scale).

According to the publication, the Cinque Terre feature high up in the world’s top ten coastal locations, behind New Foundland on a list of 99 places rated. Other locations featured include Jamaica, Mozambique and Brazil. For our part, the Cinque Terre combine a lovely mix of natural Italian scenery, town life and its associated restaurants and markets, and breathtaking views. If you want rosy colours at sunset and romantic settings in Italy, you’ve got to pop into Liguria at least once and see what’s in store.

Cinque Terre

Continue reading: Italy's Cinque Terre on world's best coastal locations ranking

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Denzel Washington who arrived in Portofino on his luxury yacht more than a week ago seems to have fallen in love with its rocky beaches and green-blue sea, showing no intention of going back to America. The romantic atmosphere of the place is weaving its spell upon the actor who only a couple of days ago bought dozens of red roses for his wife Paulette from a flower boy in the street. Can you imagine anything more romantic?

Denzel Washington vacation in Portofino

Via CelebrityGossip e Il secolo XIX

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Liguria in northern Italy is famous for the wild beauty of its landscape. Squeezed between mountains and sea, the region draws thousands of tourists every year, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Near the small village of Borgio Verezzi there’s an amazing system of carsic caves through which runs a crystal clear stream; a stream which appears all of a sudden and then rather mysteriously disappears into the earth again.

Photo | Marcello Testi.

Continue reading: Exploring northern Italy: Borgio Verezzi carsic caves near Savona

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This easy Italian recipe will have you making homemade focaccia with only a little patience required for rising time. Focaccia is a tradition that is most closely linked with Liguria, where you can generally find Italy’s best focaccia.

The ingredients for this classic rosemary and potato focaccia are: 25 grams of yeast, 100 ml of warm water, one teaspoon of sugar, two boiled potatoes, some rosemary and ‘manitoba’ flour. For the top of your focaccia you will need plenty of olive oil and salt.

Mix the yeast and sugar together, slowly add the water and then mix with the flour (unfortunately our recipe doesn’t specify how much so it might be hit and miss at the start). Knead your dough into a soft, large and elastic ball. Leave it to prove, covered, for about 30 minutes.

When the dough is about double its original size, then roughly mash the potatoes, mix them with the dough and place it in all in an oven tray. Drizzle some olive oil over the top, add salt and rosemary. Cook in a hot oven of 180°C for about 35 minutes. This makes a perfect Italian snack for any party!

Photo | Flickr

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If you are in Genoa and have a passion for submarines, you will glad to know that the historic Submarine S518 Nazario Sauro - anchored in front of the Galata Museo del mare - will soon open its doors to the public. Its interior has just been turned into a real museum, and by purchasing a season ticket visitors will have the unique opportunity to visit the aquarium which is just stone’s throw away from the musuem. For further information on the submarine and its history please visit the website!

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Just a few weeks ago Borsalino announced a partnership with Sergio Tacchini. It goes without saying that this agreement marks a new development in the field of fashionable hats! For years Borsalin0 has designed headgear for the mighty including popes and heads of state while Sergio Tacchini was and still is a great favourite with sports stars (among his clients are John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Lea Pericoli, Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras and Novak Djocovic. Now to celebrate the up coming tennis season they have launched a new hat collection which includes two exclusive models respectively called Roma and Wimbledon!

Source | Borsalino.com

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Portifino is still the jet set’s favourite spot on the Italian Riviera, but ordinary people seem to prefer Moneglia; a lovely inland village with a 15th century convent where people can relax and de-stress. The San Giorgio Abbadia in Moneglia offers guests a very special package deal which includes 3 nights’ accommodation for only 280 euros per person (490 if you should opt for one of the luxurious suites).

Photo | ellastudio.it

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