Tales from Italy: Heritage Pigs

Jessica Haden lives in the idyllic countryside near Siena as Education Director for Spannocchia, a farm bringing the ancient breed of Cinta Senese pigs back to the market… How did you end up living on the Spannocchia farm? A few years ago, my love of Italy and food lead me to Slow Food’s University of […]

5 religious festivals in Italy

From the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to La Festa della Befana, experience five of the most significant religious festivals in Italy and discover why they remain an integral part of Italian identity… Italy is steeped in history and tradition, and its religious festivals reflect this rich cultural tapestry. Religious festivals in Italy are celebrated […]

Back to the land in Siena, Tuscany

In the Siena region and neighbouring Chianti Classico territory, Amy McPherson meets a group of passionate Tuscans whose love for their land is creating a lifestyle and production choice of returning to the basics Giovanni Stella never thought he’d become a winemaker. “I wanted to go fishing!” he admits, arms waving like a conductor of […]

Exploring the Gran Paradiso National Park in Aosta

Amy McPherson explores Italy’s oldest national park, Gran Paradiso National Park, and finds adventure, history and wildlife Words by Amy McPherson A high-pitched whistle penetrates the cool mountain air as I slowly ascend the slopes on a hiking path that was once part of King Victor Emmanuel II’s network of hunting trails. The whistle, I […]

Engel Ayurpura: experience peak relaxation in this Ayurvedic hotel in the Dolomites

Looking for a relaxing break with a difference? – say hello to Engel Ayurpura, the only dedicated Ayurvedic hotel in the Italian Dolomites Featured photo © Tiberio Sorvillo Words by Amanda Robinson I hadn’t been to Italy for a while which made this trip all the more precious, and there’s certainly something uplifting about putting […]

A regional guide to Italy’s Islands

Italy’s Islands are very distinctive places where traditions, languages, and wildlife have evolved in their own way. Pick your next destination with this regional guide to Sardinia, Sicily and the rest… Featured photo © Feng Wei Photography Words by Fleur Kinson Italy, as a nation-state, has existed in its current form for about a century […]

Five foodie reasons to visit Genoa

From fabulous focaccia to fresh fish dishes, discover five foodie reasons to visit Liguria’s capital, Genoa… The capital of Liguria, Genoa has a lot more to offer than ports and palaces. Discover the unmissable delicacies for any foodie in Genoa. 1. Pesto genovese Starting with the most obvious, Genoa is, of course, famous for its […]