December 22, 2009 | Rome, Italy | Light Rain, 13°C

Fini's lucid method

Former rightist Gianfranco Fini is ramping up his move into the Italian political mainstream with the Berlusconi succession already on the line.


A hot remedy

Florentine ribollita has all the ingredients to stop winter dead in its tracks.


Da dove sei?

You might want to run a background check on your wonderful new Rome friends.


A Christmas screed

Not to be mistaken for a carol, a hosanna, a gift or anything else you might have in mind.


FEATURES

Area 51

Rocky

The Berlusconi attack: Who says you can't milk real blood from a slick stone?

Due Diligence

Apple pie

A dying mother brings back the subtle and many-layered importance of an old delight.

American Girl

Theoretically

"I know this is probably not what you wanted to hear. But the truth is, I already have a girlfriend."

Milan Notebook

Fini's moves

It's not yet clear whether Gianfranco Fini is Italy's new hope or just another flavor.

Man About Rome

Public Scrooge

Pray tell, what happened to good old-fashioned Christmas skepticism?

View from Spoleto

Bocciato

Tourists often perceive Italy as consistently charming. Expats, however, can face a darker side.


ON LANGUAGE

Tongue and speak


LIVING

The L-Word

Alice and Guillaume

A perfectly normal night in the life of two lovers.

Bella Figura

Friends

In Rome, getting used to new friends can be a nightmare waiting to happen.

Parenthood

Rock my world

Leaping into parenting pushing 40 is quite a trick. Here are some pointers.

Wonderland

Word games

Rooting out the history of words admits you to a community of deeper meaning.

Pets Abroad

Draw my unicorn

Immortalizing an animal is a Herculean task, all the more reason to try.


TRAVEL

The Casual Traveler

Post-Communist chic

In Croatia, even Plitvice's fairytale surroundings can take some getting used to.

The Hiker

Change of air

The Resegone straddles Lecco and Bergamo, its razor-like Dolomite ridges sharp as teeth.


WHERETOEAT

A carbonara heaven

A very peppery carbonara at Rome's Ciccia Bomba ai Parioli.


TOURIST Q&A

Money needs

Should I use cash, plastic or traveler's checks on an Italian trip?


WHAT'SON

110 for 2010

Woody Allen, Philip Glass, Béjart, Tāpies, Joss Stone. Also, English-language film.


FOOD

Suzanne's Taste

Proof of pudding

Contrary to what you might think, plum pudding has no plums.

Annie's Kitchen

Charmed soup

It may not be pretty, but here's a steamy bowl that can stop winter dead in its tracks.

Lynda's Wine

Chestnut wine

Chesnuts and some sweet seasonal Novello are a great way to usher in winter.

Da Germano

Fried autumn

A drive to Viterbo yields a tasty idea: spaghetti risottato.


FILM

PICKS&PUNTS: Man on Wire

Philippe Petit's Twin Towers tightrope walk is rightly treated with magical reverence.

DVDS: Desperately Seeking Susan

A vintage 1980s screwball comedy gets a boost from Madonna and Arquette.


BOOKS

SCRIPTORIUM: Gladwell's glad tidings

At any gift-giving time, count on Malcolm.

THE A-LIST: The Skating Rink

Roberto Bolaņo meets David Lynch in a '93 genre-bender.







PHOTO ALBUM
Lead years
PETS
Brushstrokes
SEX
The shifty "I"
BAD LAW
Cross to bear
BUREAUCRACY
5 easy minutes