48 hours in Mantua

This is the city to which Romeo was banished, and it is also home to a palace entirely dedicated to love. Little wonder, then, that one English author considered it to be the world’s most romantic city, writes Jane Keightley Images by Jane Keightley unless otherwise stated Aldous Huxley once called Mantua “the most romantic […]

Top 10 guide to Liguria

Rachael Martin is spoilt for choice as she picks out ten good reasons why Liguria is a favourite destination for all the family Images by Foto Archivio Agenzia In Liguria unless otherwise stated Home to the ancient Liguri and later the maritime Republic of Genoa, Liguria’s spectacular coastline, pastel-coloured villages, well-equipped beaches and mild climate […]

The Top 10 guide of what to see in Lomellina

Val Nicastro explores this quiet corner of Lombardy known as ‘the Little Loire’ for its picturesque castles in a rural landscape and its traditional village life – and its great local produce Images by Val Nicastro  The Lomellina region is an unspoiled little pocket of rural southwestern Lombardy, between Milan and Alessandria, stretching towards the […]

Rimini travel guide

Find some of the best places to stay, visit or eat while staying around Rimini with Abigail King’s guide to the highlights of the area… Images by Abigail King unless otherwise stated What to see and do Amintore Galli Theatre Piazza Cavour, 22  The Galli Theatre reopened in 2018 after a hiatus of 75 years, […]

48 hours in Rimini

There’s so much more to Rimini than just its beaches – the city was founded by the Romans and boasts a full 2,000 years of history. And, of course, it was the place where it all began for Federico Fellini, writes Abigail King Images by Abigail King unless otherwise stated It’s Friday night, so it’s […]

Our top ten guide to off-peak Alto Adige

Rachael Martin visits Alto Adige and picks out ten highlights to embrace in the months between the ski seasons. Alto Adige is the northern part of Trentino-Alto Adige and is famous for its Dolomite mountains. The 18th-century French mineralogist Déodat de Dolomieu first described and gave his name to both pale-coloured rock and mineral, and […]

Discover Orto Botanico Padua

A glorious day of exploration among the flora of 3,500 species of plants awaits in this botanical oasis in Padua Established in 1545 as a medicinal plants teaching garden, and considered to be the origin of botanical gardens, the Orto Botanico Padua has evolved into a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a leading authority on […]

Live like a film star on the shores of Lake Como

Discover Lake Como and you’ll see why Michelle Jackson, The Novel Traveller, felt like a celebrity when exploring one of the most popular destinations in Italy with Travel Department. Before we start… Now that Covid vaccinations are progressing well the world is slowly starting to open again for some well-deserved travel experiences. Italia! have partnered […]

Sicily? A holiday you can’t refuse

Are you tempted to visit Sicily? Michelle Jackson, The Novel Traveller and friend of Travel Department, shares her highlights of this wonderful part of Italy. Travel with confidence: Your holiday is a very special time, and Travel Department craft the itineraries to make sure that you get the most enjoyment. The world is continuously changing, and […]

Discover San Gimignano, Tuscany

Discover the historical centre of San Gimignano and how its downfall became its architectural saviour. Midway between Siena and Florence stand the towers of San Gimignano, no modern city skyline but a sight largely unchanged since the medieval era. Taking advantage of their hilltop elevation, the wealthiest San Gimignano families fortified their palaces with a […]