Italy On Our Radar is Live in Italy Magazine’s curated editorial series highlighting cultural stories, experiences, and moments shaping Italy today—both at home and abroad. This column reflects a curated editorial lens, highlighting stories that connect authenticity, regional identity, and contemporary Italian life.
As spring unfolds and Easter approaches, this edition brings together a mix of tradition, innovation, and global influence. From pastry counters in northern Italy to design awards in Berlin, these stories reveal an Italy that continues to evolve while staying deeply rooted in its heritage.
Where Tradition Meets Ferrari: Easter at Cavallino
In Emilia-Romagna, Easter takes on a distinctly contemporary form at Ristorante Cavallino. Once closely tied to Ferrari’s history, the restaurant has been reimagined by Massimo Bottura and the Francescana Family as a space where heritage and innovation intersect.
This season, that vision extends to a collection of sculptural chocolate Easter eggs. More than confections, they reflect a design-forward approach that echoes the precision and identity of Ferrari itself.
At the helm, co-chefs Riccardo Forapani and Virginia Cattaneo bring a deeply personal connection to the region. Their work balances tradition with a modern sensibility, creating a dining experience that feels rooted yet forward-looking.
www.ferrari.com/it-IT/ristorante-cavallino
Travel with Meaning: Family Experiences on Lake Garda
Along the shores of Lake Garda, new travel concepts are placing families at the center of the experience. Bugs Town offers an immersive environment designed for younger travelers, while still maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
Rather than separating entertainment from place, the concept encourages interaction with nature and local context. The result is a more balanced approach to travel, one that allows families to engage with Italy in a way that feels both playful and grounded.
It reflects a broader shift toward experiences that prioritize connection over consumption.
Italian Dining Abroad: A Legacy Reimagined in Miami
Beyond Italy’s borders, Italian hospitality continues to evolve. In Miami, Il Mulino New York marks 20 years at Acqualina Resort with a newly redesigned space and refreshed menu, guided by Italian-born Chef Michele Mazza.
Born in Torre del Greco near Naples, Mazza brings a lifetime shaped by southern Italy’s culinary traditions—from family-run kitchens to coastal markets—infusing the restaurant’s identity with a deeply personal connection to place.
The restaurant blends classic Italian dishes with a lighter, coastal influence that reflects its oceanfront setting. The redesign introduces a more contemporary atmosphere while maintaining the brand’s signature sense of refinement.
This balance between tradition and adaptation highlights how Italian dining culture continues to resonate globally, shaped by place while remaining anchored in identity.
Understanding Italy Through Wine: A New Chapter in Maremma
Wine offers another lens through which to understand Italy’s regional diversity. In Tuscany’s Maremma, Morellino di Scansano has introduced a new “Superiore” designation, marking an evolution in how this coastal Sangiovese is expressed.
The designation emphasizes structure, aging, and clarity of style. At the same time, it formalizes a category that many producers had already been exploring.
For wine travelers, this development provides a more defined way to experience the nuances of the region, reinforcing how deeply wine is tied to place in Italy.
Innovation and Sustainability: Wine Meets Design
Sustainability continues to shape the future of Italian production. Vegea, the Italian company known for transforming grape waste into plant-based materials, represents a new intersection between wine and design.
By repurposing winemaking byproducts into alternatives for leather, the company reflects a broader movement toward circular production models. The approach connects agriculture, innovation, and fashion in a way that feels distinctly Italian.
It also highlights how traditional industries are adapting to meet contemporary environmental challenges. www.vegeacompany.com
A New Platform for Contemporary Art in Venice
In Venice, a new initiative is bringing together artists from across the globe. Atelier Quindici, based in Palazzo Zaguri, introduces a curated platform designed to foster dialogue between fifteen established contemporary artists.
The project operates both as a digital presence and a physical exhibition space, creating opportunities for collaboration across cultures.
By choosing Venice as its starting point, the initiative reinforces the city’s ongoing role as a center for artistic exchange, where history and contemporary practice continue to intersect.
Design Rooted in Heritage: Treviso to Berlin
In Treviso, a restoration project is gaining international recognition for its thoughtful approach to sacred space. The Chapel of Reconciliation within the Church of San Francesco has been reinterpreted by 593 Studio as a contemporary environment for reflection.
The project preserves the historical structure while introducing new architectural elements, including sculptural wood interventions and restored frescoes.
Now recognized with the iF Design Award and exhibited in Berlin, the work demonstrates how Italian design continues to engage with heritage in meaningful and innovative ways.
Italian Lifestyle Beyond Borders
Italian culture continues to travel through lifestyle as well. Recent Campari events in Miami highlight how Italian aperitivo culture adapts to new contexts while maintaining its core identity.
As the brand looks ahead to future activations, including Los Angeles, these moments reinforce the global reach of Italian social traditions.
They also serve as a reminder that Italian culture is not confined to geography, it moves, evolves, and finds new expressions around the world.
Rooted in Identity, Open to Change
Across regions and disciplines, these stories reflect an Italy that is both grounded and dynamic. From local traditions to international recognition, each moment contributes to a broader narrative of continuity and change.
For travelers and observers alike, Italy remains a place not only to visit, but to understand—layer by layer, story by story.
Editorial Note
Italy On Our Radar is part of Live in Italy Magazine’s commitment to independent, thoughtful cultural journalism. We collaborate selectively with destinations, institutions, and brands that share our focus on authenticity, regional identity, and meaningful travel experiences.
Organizations interested in supporting this kind of storytelling—or exploring in-depth editorial features—are welcome to connect directly.
