Picture a dream Italian coastal town, and the five towns of Cinque Terre will likely come to mind. Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, the narrow, pastel-coloured houses stand tightly together, surrounded by terraced vineyards, olive groves, lemon orchards, and lush greenery of the land, while the rocky cliffs plummet down to the t...
READ MORETucked away in Abruzzo, an off-the-radar region in central Italy, lies a best-kept skewer secret called arrosticini. A centuries-old cultural treasure, this Abruzzese street food proudly wears the region's finest culinary features. The mountainous area provides a perfect landscape for animal husbandry and shepherding, hence its special focus on fre...
READ MOREDuring sweltering summers, when the heat in Rome may become oppressive, a secret oasis exists just a drive outside of town where you can chill out and experience a taste of Italy’s countryside. Castel Gandolfo, high on a hill overlooking Lake Albano, has been and remains the papal summer retreat—a site of calm, loveliness, and clean air, providing...
READ MORECan 5 days be enough to slow down, shift gears, and see with new eyes a land that holds centuries of history and unspoiled landscapes? Yes, by starting in Gubbio and following the ancient route of the Strada della Contessa, a medieval link between Umbria and Montefeltro. Following a route that winds along the border with the Marche region, we’ll cr...
READ MOREA southern Italian hamlet referred to as a ghost town is now attracting thousands of tourists by commissioning artists to paint more than 140 murals on the sites of shops and homes. It seems fitting that the birthplace of so many of the world’s great artists should leverage painting as a means of recovery—why should Rome and Florence have all the b...
READ MOREVersilia occupies the northern coastal strip of Tuscany within the province of Lucca. Stretching from the Apuan Alps down to the Ligurian Sea, it includes four key municipalities – Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Seravezza, and Stazzema – known as “Old Versilia,” as well as others such as Camaiore and Viareggio. The area takes its name from the Versi...
READ MOREPerched between the peaks of the Pollino Park and the fragrant breezes of the Ionian coast, Oriolo is a lovely village in Italy's southern region of Calabria, a small, medieval treasure still delightfully under the radar. In this "secret" place where historical identity remains beautifully intact, ancient memories are carefully preserved. Oriolo wa...
READ MOREItaly is famously referred to as “Il Bel Paese”, which translates to “The Beautiful Country” in English. This poetic nickname has deep cultural roots and continues to shape the way Italy is perceived around the world. From breathtaking landscapes and timeless art to rich cuisine and historic cities, the phrase Bel Paese encapsulates everything that...
READ MOREMy grandmother always dreamed of going to Italy, but losing my grandfather put her plans on hold.My husband and I surprised her with a trip to Sicily for her 75th birthda We found Sicily to be an accessible trip for an older relative, and can't wait to go back to Italy. When she's not busy caring for everyone else, my grandmother loves to travel. S...
READ MORESixteen high school juniors from public schools in New York, Los Angeles and Detroit are heading to Florence, Italy, for a fully funded, monthlong immersion in Renaissance art, history and culture — an experience that organizers describe as a potentially life-changing opportunity. The students, along with four teacher-chaperones, are this year’s re...
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