In her book, Adriatico, Paola Bacchia digs down into the culinary culture of Italy’s Adriatic coast, where food is marked by regional differences but unified by the sea. What’s your connection to the Adriatic Sea?My father was born right on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, less than a mile from it. When he was born, his birthplace was in Italy, but...
READ MOREI thought I knew everything there was to know about Italian coffee. I’m a three-cup-a-day man, and my standby is a single shot with a bit of foamed milk: a classic macchiato. When in Rome, I frequent Caffè Sant’Eustachio, where the baristas make a gossamer crema, masking their technique behind a hulking Cimbali machine. In Naples, I make sure to as...
READ MOREThe Rome 2025 Jubilee is shaping up to be one of the most extraordinary events in the city’s history. Known as a Holy Year, the Jubilee is a time of spiritual renewal, cultural celebration, and bustling activity. Whether you’re a pilgrim on a faith-filled journey, a history enthusiast looking to explore Rome’s spiritual legacy, or a curious travele...
READ MOREIf you find yourself in Venice, Italy, and your heart craves the romance of vineyards and stunning wines, there’s a must-do that you simply can’t miss – explore the enchanting Hills of Prosecco. This famous wine region is so close to Venice! I first discovered this beautiful area during my honeymoon in 2023. Here’s my firsthand experience on how to...
READ MOREIn a place with as much history as Italy, it’s common to encounter firsts, whether it’s the first bank, the oldest university or even the first espresso machine. In Bassano del Grappa, about 20 miles from Vicenza at the base of the Monte Grappa hills, you’ll find the first grappa distillery. Farmers had long made stronger alcohol out of grape pomac...
READ MORETo see the "Mona Lisa," you need to take to your tiptoes to peer over the swarm of admirers in her hall in the Louvre. Standing before the "Last Supper" requires loitering in a painfully long queue snaking out of Milan's Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Marveling at the "Vitruvian Man" means battling your way through the densely congested canal...
READ MOREGreat news for Genoa! The historic Italian port city has been named by Lonely Planet as one of the must-visit destinations for 2025, something we can wholeheartedly agree with. And not without reason - this hidden gem on the Ligurian coast has everything your heart desires. Think picturesque alleyways (caruggi) in the historic center, beautiful UN...
READ MOREThe province of Varese, nestled among the rolling hills and seven lakes that dot the landscape of Lombardy, is an area rich in history, culture and traditions. Among its wonders are historic villages that tell the stories of a sumptuous past. The most characteristic places to explore take us on a unique journey through art and architectural heritag...
READ MOREI am so hungover when I board the Arlecchino that its myriad charms are, at first, as lost on me as an idiom in translation. We are at Rome Termini, and this train has been chartered to whisk us – several dozen strangers and me – to Perugia in celebration of that city’s grande dame, the legendary Sina Brufani hotel, and its 140th birthday. Already...
READ MOREHere’s everything you need to know about planning a trip to Palermo, Italy. The capital of Sicily, Palermo defies expectations. Big and bustling, it can feel brash at times, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll find the city’s genteel, artistic, and intellectual side. The crossroads of the Mediterranean, it was founded by the Phoenicians and ruled by th...
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