An Italian made the story of the Nintendo: who was the man who inspired Super Mario
If you think of the world of video games there is no more famous and iconic character of Super Mario. Appeared for the first time in the game Donkey KongSuper Mario is a plumber dressed with a blue dungarette and a red shirt that, often accompanied by his brother Luigi, has the task of saving Princess Peach. Famous for its jumps (and for the sound...
The domed oven: the Roman invention that still rules the kitchen
The domed stone oven – forno a cupola in Italian – is one of those features that people who love cooking often dream of: it’s beautiful to look at, and it makes food taste better. Lighting it takes time and some patience, but once it’s hot, it holds the heat for hours and creates that perfect environment for making bread or pizza the old-fashioned...
This Italian island speaks a dialect from Genoa, hides Caribbean-blue waters just 40 minutes from Sardinia
he Italian island of San Pietro hides one of Sardinia’s best-kept secrets just a 40-minute ferry ride from the mainland. With crystal-clear waters rivaling the Caribbean and a cultural fusion unlike anywhere else in Italy, this hidden Mediterranean paradise offers a refreshing escape from Sardinia’s more trafficked destinations. A cultural melting...
‘I’m a travel expert these 3 spots offers an authentic Italian experience and less crowds'
As summer approaches, Riviera Travel has released a round-up of hidden gem destinations across Europe that promise history, charm, and breathtaking scenery without the crowds of tourists. From the unique capital cities of the Baltics, to the ancient ruins of Sicily and the dramatic mountains found in the north, Italy is no stranger when it comes to...
This Underrated City Is Called the 'Coffee Capital' of Italy—and It Was Named One of the Best Places to Travel in 2025
On just about any list of must-see places in Italy, Trieste isn’t usually in the top 10. But one visit to this elegant city, with its broad, palace-lined piazzas, impressive literary chops, and fascinating history, and you’ll soon see what the rest of the world is missing out on. Facing the northernmost Adriatic Sea, Trieste is in the Friuli-Venezi...
Why is everyone suddenly going to Puglia this year?
What are the reasons behind the enormous tourism boom in Puglia? Why is it today the preferred region among Italian vacation destinations? In the search for answers to these questions, it quickly emerged that in this area of Italy, you don’t just experience a simple vacation but savor every moment. You do so when you walk through its whitewashed v...
This Italian university founded in 1088 is the oldest in the world — it’s one of the most stunning buildings in Italy
The University of Bologna, located in the heart of the Italian city by the same name, is unanimously recognised as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. Founded in the early 11th century, this iconic institution has played a crucial role in the development of higher education, the dissemination of knowledge and the fostering of...
You're Missing Out on Liguria's Hinterland
Everyone knows Liguria for its sea—the ribbons of turquoise, the piazza of Portofino, the pics from Cinque Terre. But woefully underappreciated is the hinterland: venture inland from the Riviera and you enter a different world—one of terraced olive groves, misty chestnut woods, and ancient stone villages clinging to hillsides. Italo Calvino, who sp...
Seven Unique Places in Rome: the Super Sites of Rome You Can’t Miss
The sight of a velvet rope and a closed door beckons us. Nearly everyone wants to go beyond the velvet rope, often a message sent to our brains that screams VIPs ONLY, whether it’s a nightclub or an impossible-to-get-into hot restaurant of the moment. The same is true for Rome’s ancient sites, both then and now. Two millennia ago, there were place...
Italy's flower power: the cultural and economic impact of blooms
Every year, around this time, Italy enters its most colorful season: market stalls are filled with peonies and poppies, balconies are thick with geraniums, and entire hillsides bloom in coordinated palettes of wildflowers. The country’s connection with flowers, however, goes well beyond gardens, decoration and natural beauty and, to understand it,...
Lake Orta: why Italy's 'secret lake' won't stay under the radar for long
The Italian lakes have become a byword for a certain type of glamour. Como, Maggiore, even the supposed ‘secret’ lake Iseo roll off the tongues of the well-travelled, conjuring images of grand Belle Epoque hotels, glitzy wedding parties and the faint chance of a Clooney sighting. But try Lake Orta on even the most in-the-know British traveller and...
Quality of life in Italy: best cities for seniors, youth, and children
For people over 65, the best city to live in is Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige. Among the cities that offer the most opportunities for residents aged 18 to 35, Gorizia in Friuli Venezia Giulia stands out, holding the top spot for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, Lecco in Lombardy, Siena in Tuscany, and Aosta in the Aosta Valley take the top th...