Rolling hills blanketed with vineyards and olive trees, medieval towns that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, a beautiful Mediterranean coastline, and delicious cuisine made using fresh ingredients — this is what Tuscany is all about. The central Italian region that’s home to Florence — consistently ranked among the best cities in Eur...
READ MOREDiamonds certainly were the Renaissance woman’s best friend. Unlike us modern women, upon which jewels are relegated to the ears, neck, wrist, and fingers–how banal!–wealthy women of the 15th and 16th centuries were positively dripping in them. Pearls, sewed into hair pieces, cascaded down braids. Garnets and opals cinched waists in the form of cor...
READ MOREThe cobblestone streets of Florence, Italy, are renowned for their larger-than-life architecture, one-of-a-kind art, sweet desserts, and sunset views over the Arno river. On a month-long trip abroad, juniors Madeline Bolger and Natalie Miller learned how crucial another facet of Florence was to the country’s economy — food. Traveling to Florence th...
READ MOREPienza – the City of Pius. This pleasant city, situated in Val D'Orcia's heart (near Siena, in Tuscany), is considered to be the incarnation of a Renaissance utopia and an ideal city. Having obtained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, today it continues to show off to the world its refined and sophisticated Renaissance urban plan....
READ MOREOn Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the Florence American Cemetery hosted a unique event to honor the 80th anniversary of the Northern Italian Campaign during World War II. This solemn ceremony, organized by Be the Difference – Never Again, in partnership with the American Battle Monuments Commission and the U.S. Consulate General of Florence, stood as...
READ MOREItaly, with its 7500 km (4,660 mi) of coastline, practically overflowing with indentations, gulfs and coves, natural landfalls and touristic ports, stands out as a cruise destination, and is one of the primary cruise departure points in Europe. Ever higher numbers of tourists are choosing a cruise as an all-inclusive vacation that combines fun, rel...
READ MOREIf the brand is the tool through which customer loyalty occurs, Ekaf Industria nazionale del Caffè, among the founding members of the Associazione Marchi Storici d'Italia, has behind it a history of excellence that has made the brand a synonym for all-Italian quality. Indeed, the “Columbia” roasting company, opened in Livorno (Tuscany) in 1946, imm...
READ MOREIn the heart of Florence, a remarkable restoration project is unveiling the secrets of one of art history's greatest masters. The Stories of Saint Francis, painted by Giotto in the Bardi Chapel of Santa Croce, are undergoing a meticulous restoration that won't be completed until summer 2025. However, the project is already yielding fascinating disc...
READ MOREAt the end of our journey through vineyards and cellars, which again this year took us from the Aosta Valley to the island of Pantelleria to compile the Italian Wines Guide 2025 by Gambero Rosso, we can affirm that Italy’s wine industry – despite the complex international challenges, which unfortunately affect our sector as well – is in a phase of...
READ MOREFor centuries, Porto Ercole has been one of the ultimate summer hubs for elite Italian travellers. Today, it still retains this reputation of being a bite-sized, chic destination to spend a few days – think sun-soaked beaches, generations-old family restaurants and sleek yachts bobbing in the bay. + It's easy to access – located on Tuscany’s Monte...
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