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Italy is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, but beyond the well-trodden paths lies a treasure trove of lesser-known gems. From ancient mosaics to medieval towns and tranquil thermal springs, these hidden UNESCO-listed destinations offer a glimpse into Italy’s rich history, art and culture.  As it turns out, you don’t need to die to...

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Exactly 100 years ago, in 1924, the Mosaic School of theRavenna Academy of Fine Arts was born. To commemorate the centennial (1924-2024), the Academy has initiated a program of initiatives that include reviews, conferences and publications designed to engage the city of mosaics and its inhabitants. From Oct. 12 to Jan. 12, 2025, the MAR - Museum of...

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Ravenna is on Italy’s tourist map for one reason: its 1,500-year-old churches decorated with best-in-the-West Byzantine mosaics. While locals go about their business, busloads of tourists slip in and out of this town near the Adriatic coast to bask in the glittering glory of Byzantium, the eastern Roman Empire. Imagine that it’s AD 540. The city of...

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A stunning coastal town in central Italy has been hailed as one of Europe's most underrated destinations. Despite its prime location near beautiful beaches, proximity to more renowned cities, and rich history, Ravenna remains a vastly unexplored destination among foreign visitors. Labelled a "hidden gem" by travel enthusiasts, Ravenna boasts the st...

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Known for its picturesque canals, art scene and Renaissance and Gothic palaces, Venice is so popular with tourists that it’s started charging day-trippers to combat mass tourism. I visited a far less crowded Italian city that rivals Venice for history, remarkable architecture, and food. Located in Italy's culturally rich Emilia-Romagna region, Rave...

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Ravenna is on Italy’s tourist map for one reason: its 1,500-year-old churches decorated with best-in-the-West Byzantine mosaics. While locals go about their business, busloads of tourists slip in and out of this town near the Adriatic coast to bask in the glittering glory of Byzantium, the eastern Roman Empire. Imagine … it’s AD 540. The city of Ro...

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Crickets leaping round our feet. A butterfly at the rim of my hat. Burrs on our socks. Smells of fern and pine. The rhythmic rasp of the cicadas. And, ranged around us, a never-ending green. Cypress and cedar. Peaks and parched pastures. The combed vineyards and the dark oak thickets. Moving through it all, feeling right inside it, sticky with it e...

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Located in Italy's culturally rich Emilia-Romagna region, Ravenna offers a fascinating blend of art, churches and historical landmarks. The city's main claim to fame lies in its extraordinary collection of Byzantine mosaics, which adorn its ancient churches and monuments. These intricate works of art, dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, depic...

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Some days we want to have lunch in Rome and dinner in Milan, for that we’re grateful for the three-hour Alta Velocità. But then there are other days we want to slow down, peel our eyes from our screens, and really just enjoy the ride. These three train lines call attention to bygone eras of travel, and they’re more about the journey than the destin...

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From Florence and Rome to Positano and Capri, Italy is home to many must-visit destinations. Of course, the beautiful European country also has a plethora of less-visited spots ranging from charming hilltop villages to postcard-perfect coastal escapes. While Ravenna isn’t quite a hidden gem, it’s certainly not a requisite stop on most tourist route...

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