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The MSC Cruise Terminal has been formally inaugurated with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on April 5, 2025, and is already being celebrated in many ways, primarily as the largest cruise terminal in the world, capable of handling three vessels at the same time—the equivalent of 36,000 passengers per day. This is remarkable, but I feel that this is actu...

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From the romantic villas along the edge of Lake Como to the dramatic mountains rising behind Lake Garda, there are an endless number of extraordinary landmarks to see in Italy. Few travelers, however, have ventured to the mesmerizing shores of Lake Orta, where crowds are scarce. Even fewer have heard of the Isola San Giulio. A small stretch of rock...

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Siena was perhaps the Italian city best loved by Vittorio Alfieri, who in his Autobiography, published in 1806, did not fail to praise itselegance, a quality peculiar to this city. “So great is the force of the beautiful and the true,” Alfieri wrote about Siena, “that I felt almost a lively ray suddenly brightening my mind, and a most sweet flatter...

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Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, had an intense and passionate relationship with Rome, like his life and his works. The revolutionary power of Caravaggio's works has profoundly influenced all subsequent art and still today provokes a magnetic power in the spectator. The extraordinary use of light, the precision and refinement of details, t...

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The eastern coast of the Italian Riviera, beginning in Genoa and ending at the Tuscan border, ranks among the most famous seasides in the world, with wildly popular resorts like Portofino and Cinque Terre. While there are still uncrowded hamlets to explore, there’s also a remarkable, lesser-known Riviera city, Chiavari, that you should add to your...

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For the first time in its history, the historic Garden of Villa La Quiete opens its doors to the public. A secret place, a precious 18th-century treasure chest hidden in the greenery of the Castello district in Florence, the garden represents one of the most authentic testimonies of the Medici landscape, which has remained intact over the centuries...

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Tuscany, located in central Italy, is famous for stunning Renaissance villages like Pienza, famed for its cheese and unique landscapes. The gorgeous region is also home to Pontremoli, which is the birthplace of testaroli – the oldest type of pasta in Italy. It is arguably the ancestor of many pastas we know and love today. Per the region's official...

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Livorno, the vibrant port city on Italy’s Tuscan coast, offers visitors a captivating glimpse into authentic Italian culture. Beginning with a leisurely stroll through the historic Old Town, this experience immerses travelers in the city’s rich heritage, from the imposing Fortezza Nuova to the lively Mercato Centrale. As the day unfolds, one discov...

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Puglia, the sun-drenched region in the heel of Italy’s boot, has long been admired for its stunning landscapes, historic towns, and a coastline that rivals any in the Mediterranean. Yet, in recent years, this region has emerged as one of Italy's most exciting luxury real estate destinations, offering a blend of old-world charm and modern sophistica...

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Stepping out of your comfort zone with a solo trip can be daunting as a woman, but it’s also deeply rewarding as illustrated by the stories in Lonely Planet’s latest book, Women Travel Solo. In an extract from the book, Jeannette Ceja reveals how stepping into the unknown can transform you The first of my many solo trips began as a US college stude...

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