The price of glory: how ancient warriors and politicians made – and spent! – their money
What did a Roman legionary or gladiator actually earn, and what can that tell us about the societies they served? If we look beyond grand battles and legendary rulers, the economic details of these roles reveal the real – and deeper – connections between war, wealth, and social mobility in Antiquity. To broader questions of class, opportunity, and...
The unseen 99%: the hidden Italy mapped by the community
The Italy we all know is made of icons: the Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, the Grand Canal. They are symbols that tell millennial stories, which fascinate millions of travellers every year. But there is another Italy, far more vast and surprising, just waiting to be discovered. An authentic Italy, made up of villages asleep in the hills, paths hidde...
2025 green spikes awarded to 90 rural Italian towns
The 2025 Spighe Verdi (Green Spikes) awards for rural Italian municipalities have been announced. This tenth edition includes 90 towns—an increase from last year’s 75—with 17 new entries and 2 towns dropping off the list. Spighe Verdi is a national program by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), the same organization behind the internation...
Italy tops Europe in freight volume
A new report finds that Italy leads Europe in freight transport volumes, driven by a dense road infrastructure and a dynamic trucking industry. However, official EU figures appear to undervalue Italy’s actual road freight activity: estimates suggest the real volume ranges between 30.4 and 37.4 billion vehicle-kilometers—nearly twice the numbers rep...
U.S. Army Garrison Italy Marks 60 Years of Army Community Service
Sixty years ago, Lt. Col. Robert Elkowitz’s parents had just married, his mother was four months pregnant, and his father was preparing to deploy to Vietnam. It was the summer of 1965 — the same year Lt. Col. Emma M. Baird helped launch Army Community Service, now a cornerstone of Army life around the world. Elkowitz, the garrison chaplain for U.S....
Escape To Baia Cannone: Italy’s Secret Beach With Free Access And Breathtaking Views
As tourists crowd popular spots such as Portofino, Italy, few spare a thought for a hidden gem on the Italian Riviera — Baia Cannone. Just outside Portofino lies this sparkling cove, which provides visitors a peaceful escape from the normal tourist masses and a tranquil vibrancy all its own. Visitors proclaim this place is indeed “worth it” for any...
Discover the Top Sights to See in Venice: How to See it all With an Expert
Venice, often described as one of the world’s most enchanting cities, is a place where history, architecture, and romance converge in unforgettable ways. As you explore its canals and charming streets, you’ll discover that the top sights to see in Venice include a blend of iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. Founded over 1,500 years ago, this fl...
Capri Is Expensive and Crowded—but Here’s Why I Still Love It
Here are moments when Capri, a small, rocky island in the Gulf of Naples, seems deranged. When you first experience the clamor of the port, say, or sit in a pink convertible taxi as it tries to pass another pink convertible taxi on a road that is 8.5 inches wide. There are many more moments—eating the namesake caprese salad amid the scent of pines...
Chitarra battente: ancient roots, contemporary sound
The chitarra battente – literally, “beating guitar” – is a traditional string instrument central to the musical heritage of southern Italy. Although it shares common ancestry with the Baroque guitar, the battente developed its own personality and structure over time, becoming a unique expression of regional folk culture. It is especially associated...
Inside Villasimius: Sardinia’s Southern paradise uncovered
In Sardinia, approximately 50 km from Cagliari, Villasimius is one of the most famous and highly regarded coastal towns in southern Sardinia. The beautiful landscapes of Villasimius, with their white beaches of fine sand, crystal-clear sea, and the scents and colours of Mediterranean vegetation, make this place a corner of paradise. Unspoiled natur...
This Italian island of 0 permanent residents holds more medieval ruins than most villages
The tiny limestone speck appears on the horizon as our boat skims across the Mediterranean. As we approach, I can make out its rough contours and the faint outline of ancient ruins. This is Tinetto, a 0.0181 square mile uninhabited Italian microisland that most travelers to the Ligurian coast will never see. Despite being just 3 kilometers from tou...
The Highway of the Sun Stretches from Milan to Naples: A1
It used to take two days of travel on bumpy, dust-caked roads to reach Naples from Milan. On October 4th, 1964, that travel time was slashed to seven hours. After eight years of work, the A1 highway was completed a surprising three months early–a first and last in Italy, it seems–and not without a few casualties, sacrificed between elevated bridges...