Close

The "7% solution" is a formula to stop the depopulation of historic villages in the heart of Italy: a flat tax reduced to the bare minimum for pensioners who decide to relocate to the "crater" affected by the 2016 earthquake. Will it work? "Here in Norcia people haven’t fled. But when I visit other towns in the area, I see that the situation is ble...

208

Orvieto is one of the most striking, memorable, and enjoyable hill towns in central Italy. About 90 minutes from Rome, Orvieto sits majestically high above the valley floor atop a big chunk of tufo volcanic stone (tuff), overlooking cypress-dotted Umbrian plains. A visit here will reward you with a delightful, perfectly preserved, and virtually tra...

196

The meeting point is in Perugia’s historic centre, at the corner of Via dei Cartolari and Via Alessi, in front of the elegant Palazzo Ansidei di Catrano. One’s imagination immediately drifts to the luxurious life of Luisa Spagnoli, a pioneering entrepreneur in the food and fashion sectors. She became wealthy, but she started in the basement of that...

226

The Italian release of James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” is prompting local media to claim that, unlike in the movie, Dylan traveled to Italy in 1962 in pursuit of Suze Rotolo — named Sylvie Russo in the film and played by Elle Fanning — who had left New York to study abroad. In 1962, Rotolo left the Greenwich Village apartment...

611

Italy is one of the world’s most beloved countries. Everyone knows or wants to visit Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Milan, and the Amalfi Coast. And with so many visitors, some Italian cities, like Venice, are taking measures to control tourism. But rather than mount one of the unfortunate “Tourist Go Home” campaigns racking countries from Spain...

170

A fascinating tradition of Italian culture, the “Condominium Theatre System” in central Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries is now a candidate for inclusion on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This unique system was characterized by the use of private residences, often belonging to noble families, which were transformed into theater...

253

If you want to experience and learn about the Italian region of Umbria, take a sip and turn the page. We did. We had the pleasure of attending a unique book launch for Tiny Tales of Umbria: Madrevite's Storybook.  This original project, written by the author and illustrator, Marisa Finetti, Decanter magazine contributor, in conjunction with Nicola...

226

Nestled in the heart of Italy, Umbria is often referred to as the “Green Heart of Italy.” Unlike its more famous neighbor Tuscany, Umbria offers a quieter, Italian experience. This region is a tapestry of rolling hills, medieval towns, lush vineyards, and historic treasures, all waiting to be explored. If you’re considering an Umbria adventure in t...

200

Tartufo, Prosciutto di Norcia and Perugina chocolates are just three of the many reasons why anyone interested in food should consider a trip to Umbria. The forest-filled region has much more to offer than a rich culinary tradition — but that’s certainly a top selling point.  Umbria also isn’t in the spotlight as much as its neighboring regions of...

200

To skip the overrated tourist traps in Italy, get on a train and travel to the other major cities in the country besides Rome, Florence, and Venice. You can also rent a car to visit Italy's many picturesque small towns. One medieval village that provides a quaint day trip is Rasiglia in Umbria (which has all the vibes of Tuscany without the crowds)...

397