NEWS FROM : ITALY  

In Italy, the smartest cities are Bologna, Milan, and Turin. This is according to the EY Smart City Index 2025, which ranks the 10 most “intelligent” urban centers in Italy based on their progress in ecological transition, digital transformation, and social inclusion.   The ranking includes 109 Italian cities, with Venice, Rome, Trento, Cagli...

Martin Scorsese will be honored with a lifetime achievement award by Italy’s Taormina Film Festival, marking the director’s return to Sicily, where he has family roots and where he has announced plans to shoot an ancient shipwreck documentary. The Sicilian cinema event, being headed once again by marketing guru Tiziana Rocca, will host a screening...

Early projections following the Conclave suggest that the first American Pope could become a major economic driver for Rome. Tourism—a critical pillar of the Eternal City’s economy—could see its GDP contribution rise by as much as 6%, according to the hospitality sector. Pope Leo XIV is expected to be a major draw for U.S. travelers planning a Euro...

Salento is one of the most fascinating destinations in Puglia, a corner of paradise stretching to the heel of the boot of Italy, where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas meet. Known for its breathtaking coastline, ancient traditions and cuisine that mixes the flavours of the land and sea, Salento is not just a tourist destination, but a place to experien...

Traveling to other countries is a great opportunity to see the world and understand different cultures. However, with travel, it is important to understand that some cultures will be different than what one is used to. Different countries have different customs, traditions, ways of life, food, and etiquette. Although Italy is a popular destination...

When thinking about Venice, many adjectives might come to mind: romantic, historic, picturesque, timeless. But sustainable? Perhaps not. It’s difficult to think of Venice as a sustainable place. In fact, at first glance, it seems quite the opposite: a city built on a forest of timber poles driven into the mud of a lagoon; a utopia sustained by shee...

Bring water," they said when I announced I'd be hiking the Sentiero dei Fortini (Trail of Little Forts). "There's nothing out there." The six-kilometre cliffside path linking the remains of three 19th-Century Bourbon military outposts was my fourth hike on this craggy Mediterranean island. Somewhere along the rocky, wild rosemary-flocked path whil...

A senior at Vicenza High School, Avonlea Sparling, has been named the 2025 Military Youth of the Year for Europe for the Boys and Girls Club program, adding another accolade to her list of achievements. Sparling, who serves as captain of both the school’s soccer and volleyball teams and is the president of the National Honor Society, had previously...

May marks the arrival of the Giro d’Italia, a celebration of cycling that winds its way through Italy’s diverse and captivating landscapes. It’s a time when riders of all levels are encouraged to discover the country’s most picturesque roads and cycling trails, stretching from the Alpine north to the sun-drenched south. Here are six specially desig...

The "merendina" is a typical product of the Italian confectionery industry that has no equal in the world. In no other country, in fact, are there single-serve snack products weighing just an average of 35 grams. A recent survey confirms the central role the "merendina" plays in the eating habits of Italians: nearly 8 out of 10 Italians (77%) regul...

Now it's official: "The greatest national team in the history of soccer will now be led by the most victorious coach in the world." With this announcement, the Brazilian Football Federation has confirmed Italian Carlo Ancelotti's appointment as head coach of the Brazilian national team. Ancelotti will lead Brazil until the 2026 World Cup. "Bringing...

Since January this year, Italy has extended the requirement to collect biometric data to include long-stay visa applications, in line with efforts to strengthen both its migration system and the security of Italy and the Schengen area. However, this requirement is not intended to place a burden on allied countries – particularly G7 members – or on...