Browsing: Italy

The Dolomites are no doubt one of Europe’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. Beyond their UNESCO-recognized geological splendor, however, lies an equally fascinating cultural story—one in which Austrian Gemütlichkeit (snugness) meets Italian dolce vita, and an ancient Romance language you may never have known about persists in five high valleys.

The Dolomites sprawl across five provinces—Bolzano, Trento, Belluno, Udine, and Pordenone—covering approximately 350,000 acres of vertical walls, narrow valleys, and jagged peaks that reach above …

While travelers may dream of Florence’s galleries or Venice’s canals, those in search of something quieter—more intimate, more rooted—should set their sights northwest. Here, in the shadow of the Alps, the region of Piedmont unfolds like a secret worth sharing. Its name, meaning “foot of the mountains,” is more than geographical—it’s poetic. This is where the drama of jagged peaks meets the softness of vineyard hills, and where time seems to slow in step with …

If a $5 fee is a good way to slow overtourism and protect the fragile ecosystem, then shouldn’t $10 work even better?

That’s the question in Venice, which has announced it will bring back last summer’s tourist tax—and double it to boot—for 2025.

Venice in 2024 introduced a €5 charge for visitors on 29 high-traffic peak-season dates, in an attempt to curb the crowds that sometimes overran its famous, but delicate, canals. The tourism office …

Perched dramatically on a mountainside in Italy’s Liguria region, the medieval village of Triora, known as the “Salem of Italy,” has embraced a haunting history of dramatic, infamous witch trials. The town’s strategic position at 780 meters above sea level made it a crucial defensive outpost during medieval times. The village’s name derives from “Tria Ora,” meaning three mouths, referring to the three gates that once protected this fortress town. Its robust walls and commanding …

Basilica di San Lorenzo in Florence, Italy has long been known as the official church of the powerful Medici family. A discovery in 1975, however, shed new light on the church’s history and its connection to one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance, Michelangelo Buonarroti. A small, unassuming room tucked away in the basilica, is now thought to have been Michelangelo’s secret hideaway during his tumultuous relationship with the Medici family.

A team of …

There isn’t a single wisp of smoke curling out of the top of Mount Vesuvius as we walk up its stony brown slopes.

A few birds are twittering in the bushes, but we leave we them behind as the path rises above fertile ground. It’s silent, except for the scrunch of feet on clinker. It’s too quiet, too calm. Are we about to get taken out in an unexpected rumble of smoke, ash, flames and …

He’s seriously psyched up as he wraps a long stretch of fibrous cord around a 30cm ball of hard cheese. The smoke from the cigar, wedged into the corner of his mouth, necessitated that he close one eye. His other eye accessed the camber of the road ahead. He took a couple of long strides to build up momentum, leaned his ample frame forward, and, with a curved slingshot motion (delivered in an elegant pirouette), …

I’m walking through Pettino’s truffle-rich forests and pastures at the base of a mountain.  Leading the way are four hyped-up dogs – Pucci, Pippo, Vespa, and Enea; hot in their heels are truffle hunters Luciano and Bruno, armed with small picks and a leather bag for the loot.

Truffle hunting is a centuries-old daily tradition, a daily event which, for the dogs and their handlers, is a time to demonstrate their kinship, their bond. These …

Saturnia Hot Springs is a natural hot spring in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Known for its therapeutic properties, the springs are steeped in history and geological significance. An easy day trip from Rome or Florence, Saturnia is open and free to the public. The waters here originate from deep within the earth’s crust, heated by geothermal energy. As the water makes its way to the surface, it absorbs minerals and sulfur compounds, which many …

There isn’t a single wisp of smoke curling out of the top of Mount Vesuvius as we walk up its stony brown slopes.

A few birds are twittering in the bushes, but we leave we them behind as the path rises above fertile ground. It’s silent, except for the scrunch of feet on clinker. It’s too quiet, too calm. Are we about to get taken out in an unexpected rumble of smoke, ash, flames and …

If you’re considering Venice as your next destination, you’ll have done your research and know exactly what you want to see and what to expect, so I’ll not be giving you a Venice ‘to-do list’ as such. Instead, I’ll encourage you to people watch instead. Step away from the well-trodden tourist path and see where the locals live.

While walking along the cobbled back streets of Venice, which are encased with tall ancient dwellings on …

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, you may be wondering how to surprise your traveling special someone with a gift that will take their breath away as they pack their suitcase. Or, perhaps you want to treat yourself to your very own fun getaway this year, but either way, the rolling, olive tree-dotted hills of central Italy have a trip in store for you that’s bespoke just for the day of love.

Beyond the usual amorous …