Close

Cisternino is a picturesque town located in the province of Brindisi, in Puglia. Standing proudly atop a hill, it overlooks the scenic Itria Valley and part of the Murgia dei Trulli. Like most Apulian villages, Cisternino is renowned for its whitewashed old town, adorned with colorful flowers hanging from windows and balconies. It also has an incre...

508

"That?" my waitress said, looking over my shoulder to see what dish I was pointing at. "That's fried Tyrolean cheese with polenta, mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. It goes excellently with a Paulaner." Half a day prior to this interaction at Chalet Rifugio al Faggio at the northern end of Val Concei, I had been on the shore of Lake Ledro, sippin...

302

Val Ferret, located at the foot of Mont Blanc, is one of the most fascinating valleys in the Aosta Valley. Surrounded by towering peaks and unique landscapes, it is the ideal place for those seeking a deep connection with nature without sacrificing the discovery of local traditions and culture. Between scenic hikes, encounters with alpine wildlife,...

345

A picturesque town in Italy's lush Umbria region is often likened to a "mini Rome" due to its stunning Roman ruins and medieval architecture but without the throngs of tourists. Recognised as one of Italy's largest and best-preserved medieval towns, Gubbio transports visitors back in time with its rich history dating back to 1000 AD. Despite being...

306

Bulgari Hotel Roma has been crowned the best hotel in the world by Virtuoso Travel, a leading global network of agencies specialising in luxury travel, in its 2024 rankings. The recognition was welcomed by Italy's tourism minister Daniela Santanchè who wrote on X: "Italy never ceases to excel. Now even the best hotel in the world is Italian. It is...

520

While visiting family in Loreto Aprutino in Abruzzo, Italy, in May, I heard about Count Sebastiano Capponi’s 500 year celebration of Villa Calcinaia, near Greve in Chianti, nestled in the Tuscan hillside, famous for its award-winning DOCG Chianti Classico in Chianti. The Capponi family purchased Villa Calcinaia in 1524. I journeyed to Villa Calcina...

415

Since the pandemic, we’ve been more and more into slow-vacations, or those vacations where relaxation, tranquillity and “living like a local” take centre stage: it’s in this context — and in that, equally important, of sustainability in tourism — that the idea of albergo diffuso (literally, “diffused hotel”) became popular. An albergo diffuso is a...

333

Italy, with its enchanting landscapes and clear night skies, offers numerous opportunities for astrotourism. This type of tourism is growing rapidly because of the country's natural beauty. And awareness of the importance of maintaining light pollution-free night skies is contributing to this increase. From the Dolomites to the Lazio hills, each de...

634

Summer 2023 turned out to be a highly successful season for Italian museums, with exponential growth in visitor numbers and record ticket sales, confirming Italy as one of the world’s most popular cultural destinations. According to data presented by the Digital Innovation Observatory for Culture of the Milan Polytechnic School of Management, the n...

242

Overtourism is almost a hackneyed phrase for Italy. With around 60 million annual visitors, the weight of tourism is a struggle for historically popular areas like Venice, which is currently piloting a fee program for day-trippers. Similarly, crowds in Rome and Florence are driving visitors to look for alternatives, and it's redirecting the spotlig...

241