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While it doesn’t have the same name recognition as Spain’s Camino de Santiago, the Via Francigena is considered to have some of Europe’s most iconic pilgrimage sites. The 1100-mile journey traces the route Archbishop Sigeric the Serious took in 990 A.D. as he traveled from Canterbury to Rome. Because the full journey requires a hefty time commitmen...

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Exploring the Aosta Valley means immersing oneself in a setting of unspoiled beauty, rich in charm and history. Here, in one of the jewels of the Alps massif, is the Cammino Balteo, a medium- and low-altitude hiking route that unravels among enchanting villages, silent vineyards, majestic castles and breathtaking views. The Balteo Trail is not just...

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Northern Italy is teeming with historic, art-filled cities vying for travellers’ attention. Most visitors will head to Venice, Milan or Turin, but this year two often overlooked destinations should be on your radar. Bergamo and Brescia, both in the region of Lombardy, are sharing the accolade of the country’s Capital of Culture for 2023. These two...

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Fairy-tale landscapes dominated by the silent whiteness of nature certainly need no introduction. The finest Hollywood movies have accustomed us to the glamour of the ski week on our snowy peaks.  If you don't ski, however, what to do in the mountains during winter? In this article, we take you through the most beautiful activities and sports that...

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The Dolomites are one of the best places in the world to go hiking. But what if you don’t want to go hiking. Is it still worth visiting the Dolomites if you never plan to set foot on a hiking trail? Yes!! In this guide, we coverthe best things to do in the Dolomites that involve little to no hiking. What do we mean by little to no hiking? Most thin...

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I left Florence two weeks ago, and when I did, I left a piece of myself in the stone that built this city. One Sunday in Fiesole, I touched the rock on Monte Ceceri, home to a quarry of pietra serena, a stone used in the creation of buildings and sculptures in Florence since ancient times.  Discovered by the Etruscans, pietra serena became the favo...

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The Via Francigena (the Iter Francorum, or the "Frankish Route") is a branch of the Pilgrimage trail that goes between Canterbury and Rome, coming into full use starting around the 11th century. Bishop Sigeric of Canterbury first made the journey to Rome in 990 AD to receive honors from the Pope. He kept details of his travels in a book, with pictu...

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An alternative to the Via Appia was built by Emperor Trajan in 109 AD as part of a building spree after his defeat of Dacia (modern Romania) replenished the coffers and ushered in an era of relative peace. A roman coin was issued commemorating the Traiana. Strabo notes that the new coastal road was a day's travel shorter between Benevento and Brind...

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Is the walking vacation a temporary travel trend or here to stay?  While the idea of exploring places on foot, moving from one destination to the next with your legs as the only driving force is nothing new for walking enthusiasts, the pandemic seems to have brought walking and hiking vacations to the limelight. In Italy, starting with the summer o...

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Walking is one of the best and most sustainable ways to discover a territory, especially Italy. Our country is so full of wonderful places, ever-changing landscapes, small towns, hidden places and artistic wonders that deciding to walk in Italy is the best idea to savour this territory as an immersive experience and not just as a destination. This...

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