Palermo is the Italian Capital of Culture for 2018: Founded by the Phoenicians, once belonging to the Roman and Byzantine Empires, ruled by the Arabs, the Normans and the Spanish, capital of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Holy Roman Empire for a short time, Palermo has a real mosaic of history. Today the city […]
In Venice’s shadow: Vicenza, “Pearl of the Renaissance”
Vicenza, called “Pearl of the Renaissance“, is home to the oldest roofed theatre in the world, Palladio’s majestic buildings, and a charming old town area.
Siena – The Soul of Tuscany
No trip to Tuscany is complete without seeing Siena, Florence’s historical rival According to legend, the city was founded by Senius and Aschius, the sons of Remus and nephews of Romulus, boys saved from the Tiber river by a she-wolf, who were the main characters of Rome’s foundation myth. Senius and Aschius fled from Rome […]
Piecing together Ravenna’s mosaic of attractions
Is Ravenna the best place to live in Italy? Despite being recently voted “Best Place to Live in Italy” by a leading newspaper Il Sole 24 ore, proud possessor of 8 UNESCO sites, burial place of Dante and home to Byron for a couple of years, Ravenna is strangely neglected by tourists. Distinctive leaning towers, […]
Hidden Tuscany: Pistoia – An Insider’s Perspective.
Local resident Sarah Humphreys gives you the inside story on this Tuscan gem: In the words of Cristina Taddei, local archaeologist and historian, “ Pistoia is one of the few towns in Tuscany that still belongs to the past.” Largely overlooked by tourists, Pistoia is a well-preserved medieval city brimming with artistic treasures, emitting a […]
Portofino – The Jewel of the Italian Riviera
Nicknamed the “Pearl of the World”, Portofino is Absolutely Gorgeous: Once a humble fishing village, Portofino’s picturesque harbour is the most exclusive bay and upmarket resort in Italy. In this town, built around the small harbour, there are plenty of upmarket designer boutiques, luxury yachts and magnificent villas, all indicative of the long association that […]
Montepulciano – Famous for its Vino Nobile
Montepulciano – A Hill Town in Tuscany that’s Famous for its Vino Nobile: One of the pleasures of travelling in Tuscany is visiting its many charming medieval hill towns, Montepulciano being one of them. Set on a ridge of about 605 metres above sea level, Montepulciano is one of the of the highest Tuscan hill towns. […]
Portofino: Live from the luxury Ligurian Resort
Portofino has luxury designer shops, big boats and 5 euro coffees – Cinque Terre it’s not! Avoiding the Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Dior shops along the waterfront, and refraining from indulging in 5 euro coffees, Tony Page wanders past million dollar cruisers and climbs up above Portofino to give you an overview of this famed […]
Montepulciano: Live from the Heart of Tuscany’s Wine Country
Montepulciano is the highest hill town in Tuscany, and renowned for its wine, the Vino Nobile Henry James drank so much Montepulciano wine he couldn’t remember much about this famous Tuscany hill town, but it’s beautifully preserved and well worth a visit, especially to taste the food – and don’t miss the wine cellars! “Well […]
Capri – Stylish and Stunningly Beautiful
Capri Was Once a Cult Destination for the Rich and Famous: With its swanky shops and legends of aristocrats, film stars and celebrities living lives of luxury and pleasure on the island, Capri is an island with a reputation for glamour and style. It was a popular destination during the Roman times and is still […]
