Making tracks, Part 6: Genoa to Levanto

Train

Two decades ago Rachael Martin arrived in Italy, exploring the country by rail and dreaming of rooms with a view. Twenty years, one Italian husband and two kids later, she still has the memories of those first voyages of discovery… Photos by Rachael Martin   When I first met my Italian husband he told me […]

Five reasons to visit Milan

Cooking risotto Milan, Italy

Yes, it’s packed with architectural treasures, fantastic shops and historic sights, but here are five reasons to visit Milan for its food and drink. How many of these have you tried? 1 Milan has lent its name to many famous dishes, and risotto alla Milanese is probably the best known.The saffron-flavoured rice, often served with the hearty […]

Forgotten islands of the Venice Lagoon

Venice lagoon sunset

The Venice Lagoon contains more than a hundred islands – some small, some large; some natural, some man-made. Sara Scarpa invites us on an island-hopping expedition… Photos by Iain Reid   Often, on a sunny summer morning when we are in my home town of Venice, my husband and I will cycle from the centre […]

Po Delta travel guide

Penny Wainwright shares some of the best places to eat and stay, and explores some of the Po Delta’s top sights and attractions Photos by Penny Wainwright What to see & do MyFeCard A MyFeCard gives over-18s free entry to many of Ferrara’s museums. A two-day card costs £10.50, a three-day card is £12.50. The […]

48 hours in the Po Delta

Looking across the reeds and islands of Sacca di Goro, Po Delta, Italy

The mighty Po flows for 400 miles across Italy and in many ways defines the north of the country. Penny Wainwright visits the area where it meets the sea… Photos by Penny Wainwright The Renaissance city of Ferrara and the River Po Delta are a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, linking Ferrara, the Delta and its […]

Five reasons to visit Puglia

Old Town Of Vieste, Gargano Peninsula, Apulia region, Italy, Europe

As if you needed any more reason to take a trip to this sun-drenched southern region, here are five excuses to pack your bags and book that plane! Photos by Puglia Holiday Rentals 1 Puglia is one of the largest wine regions in Italy but it is only in recent years that it has actually produced its […]

Making Tracks, Part 5: Milan to Genoa

Train

Two decades ago Rachael Martin arrived in Italy, exploring the country by rail and dreaming of rooms with a view. Twenty years, one Italian husband and two kids later, she still has the memories of those first voyages of discovery… Photos by Rachael Martin It’s that same scene every time I leave Milan early in […]

Vero Italiano: agriturismi

Italian agriturismo

Mario Matassa heads out into the countryside to stay on an agriturismo, and discovers why these farm-stays can provide the perfect holidays for foodie travellers…  Photos by Mario Matassa There are more than 18,000 agriturismi in Italy, half of which have sprung up recently – particularly in Tuscany and Alto Adige. The idea of coupling […]

Hidden Garda

View from limonaia, Lake Garda

Lake Garda, the largest of the Italian lakes, can also be the most crowded. Chris Allsop visits its western side where he enjoys the lake’s quieter spots and a rich vein of history Photos by Chris Allsop   Of all the Italian lakes, it’s Garda – with its enviably temperate climate – that really pulls […]

In search of la bella figura

The Masseria San Domenico, Puglia

Beverley Byrne goes to the Masseria San Domenico on the Adriatic coast of Puglia in her quest for wellbeing   Science confirms that oil and water do not mix. Yet, at the Masseria San Domenico in Puglia, their combined benefits are said to hold the secret of eternal youth. This family-owned boutique hotel and spa […]