It’s Friday! Time to pour a beer (our pick is Birra Peruga’s Calibro7 American Pale Ale), and eat a pizza. The internet is a big place – here’s what caught our attention this week.

Here in Washington, it has been very hot. Sicilians know how to beat the heat, with lemon ice (sometimes eaten for breakfast). This recipe for lemon granita from Food52, which will keep us cool, if for a moment.

Matteo Renzi, the Prime Minister of Italy, is on a mission to renew the boot. The New Yorker gives him a lengthy profile in this weeks magazine.

Do you find yourself asking – “When should I go to Italy?” Besides the obvious answer “now,” take a look at the temperament of Italy, month by month. Then book with us when you’ve found your ideal time!

The Festival of Two Worlds launches in the Umbrian town of Spoleto today. It is an artistic celebration, which this year is getting a boost from Botero, who this year lent 48 plaster sculptures from his personal collection this year.

Friday summer reading recommendation:

Joseph Luzzi recently gave a wonderful talk at Politics and Prose on his new book In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me About Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love. In this article from the Huffington Post, he challenges us to read Dante over the summer. Challenge accepted?

Let us know how you are spending your summer weekends by talking to us on Instagram @viaumbria and Twitter @viaumbiradc. And we’ll see you this week at the Sagra Della Porchetta!

— Via Umbria