Beyond the garden: past, present and future of Italian exports
For more than three decades, the rules of global trade seemed steady enough. Italy—long a nation of skilled manufacturers and master merchants—thrived in that environment, riding the wave of international commerce that surged in the 1990s. But the tides are turning. Today, the United States is increasingly unwilling to play the role of “buyer of la...
Back to the peaks: how Italy’s mountains are calling people home
In a country where sweltering summers are hotter than ever, city streets are increasingly crowded, and tourist hotspots can feel overrun, Italians are rediscovering an age-old refuge: the mountains. The Mountains of Italy Report 2025 tells the story of a quiet but powerful shift - a movement away from the bustle of the big cities toward the fresh a...
Milan’s fashion scene: 10 reasons fashionistas will love this Italian city
Fabulous and fast-moving, Milan’s fashion district is an area of both pure indulgence and serious retail business. The district’s other name, Quadrilatero d’Oro (golden quadrangle), loosely refers to four adjoining streets that are home to many of the world’s fashion titans. For a first-time visitor, the scene can be a little intimidating, particul...
The Most Scenic Hiking Trails And Excursions To Explore In Italy, According To Adventurers
Italy boasts heaps of creamy pastas and cheese-riddled pizzas, but the land of all things Dolce Vita offers more than just amazing food. It is one of the world's best destinations for avid hikers, thanks to a tradition of pedestrian trails that can be traced back to the Romans. Visitors can enjoy everything from seaside walking paths to intense mul...
Kenosha-Cosenza Sister city mural project
Kenosha Sister Cities has embarked on an exciting new collaboration. We are working with Professor Carey Waters and her students at UW-Parkside to create a mural celebrating our relationship with our Sister City in Cosenza, Italy. Her class will be working with an Italian Mural artist named Carlo Giardina to create two designs, one to be placed i...
The experience that transforms salt into a sensory journey: “saliturismo” is born, the new trend of the Italian summer
Summer = holidays. It’s the equation that repeats every year around this time. Once upon a time, the options were essentially two—sea or mountains—but today the possibilities are far more varied. There’s astronomical tourism, “coolcations” in search of cooler climates. There’s “noctourism” and “quietcations” for holidays lived in silence and at a s...
15 Hidden Swimming Spots in Italy: Wild Escapes and Dreamy Views
Discovering hidden swimming spots in Italy gives you the chance to experience a side of the country that’s anything but ordinary—far from the summer chaos, deeply authentic, and truly revitalizing. Here, you'll come across natural pools, secluded beaches, alpine gorges, and mountain lakes. These wild corners invite complete renewal, deep connection...
History, sea, and Shelley: discovering Lerici
Lerici is a small coastal town in the province of La Spezia, in the eastern part of Liguria. Known as one of the jewels of the so-called Gulf of Poets, it has attracted writers, artists, and travelers for centuries, all drawn to the beauty of its cliffs, its calm waters, and its particular blend of Ligurian and Tuscan influence. Its historical sign...
The state of Italian soccer: improving finances, rising women’s game, but stadiums lag behind
Italian soccer remains financially burdened but shows signs of gradual recovery. In the 2023–24 season, professional soccer clubs recorded total debts of around €5.45 billion—an improvement from €5.66 billion the previous year. Despite this, accumulated losses across Serie A, B, and C over the last 17 years hit €9.3 billion, with 80% of clubs endin...
The most beautiful squares in Florence: a complete guide to art, history and views
Florence is not just an open-air museum, but a story that you can read and experience as you stroll through its squares. Every stone has a story to tell, every statue something to reveal, every facade lights up in different colors depending on the light. Visiting the squares of Florence is not just about seeing famous monuments: it is about walking...
The new international dimension of the Italian property market
The Italian property market is attracting a growing number of foreign buyers. This is the finding of our analysis of residential property sales in five major Italian cities: Rome, Milan, Turin, Cagliari and Florence – all destinations already well known and appreciated abroad. In the first six months of 2025, we have in fact seen the number of home...
If You Love Tuscany and Umbria, Try Northern Lazio
Soriano nel Cimino is a classic central Italian hill town. With its terraced streets and 13th-century castle, you might think it’s in Tuscany or Umbria. Though it does border both regions, its location in Lazio, 63 miles north of the center of Rome, gives it a more under-the-radar status. Perched 509 meters above sea level in the Tiber Valley and c...