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 […]

Head for the hills

Sanctuary of La Verna

Travelling far from the bustle of city life, Rachael Martin heads off the beaten track to find peace and quiet in Tuscany’s Casentino National Park Photos of Casentino by Rachael Martin unless otherwise stated   Once more, TripAdvisor figures confirm that Tuscany is at the forefront of Italian tourism and in particular Florence, which comes […]

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 […]

Luci d’Artista in Turin

Lights in Turin Italy

Every winter the streets of Turin come alight with sophisticated electric installations by renowned artists – Joe Gartman investigates… Photos by Patricia Gartman Thomas Edison started it all, of course. Not content with inventing the light bulb, he strung dozens of coloured lamps around his laboratory for the 1880 holiday season. In 1882, his business partner, […]

Five reasons to visit Italy at Christmas

Christmas Market Bolzano Italy

From festive markets to presepe, Italy is especially magical in December – here are a few good excuses to book that flight! Photos by iStock & Getty Images 1. Where better to be at Christmas than in a festive high-altitude town known for its fantastic traditional outdoor market and with the stunning Dolomites as a picturesque […]

Making Tracks, Part 4: To Turin

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 Life on the train today consists of a group of Spanish […]

Lazio & Abruzzo travel guide

St Benedict’s monastery, Italy

Penny Wainwright brings us some highlights from off-the-beaten-track destinations in deepest Lazio and rural Abruzzo – from food & drink to great places to stay and things to see and do… Photos by Penny Wainwright What to see & do The Monastery at Subiaco (Lazio) The monastery of Santa Scolastica was one of 12 created […]

48 hours in Lazio & Abruzzo

View across Lake Turano from Antuni, Italy

Driving northeast from Rome, into deepest Lazio, you soon come across some places that could only be in Italy. Penny Wainwright takes the tour… Photos by Penny Wainwright    On the drive from Rome through the tree-covered hills of Lazio, on the shores of Lago Turano, is Castel di Tora, one the Borghi più belli […]

Italian chestnut festivals

Chestnuts in Italy

If you’re heading for Italy in the autumn months, you may be lucky enough to stumble across a chestnut festival – wonderful events for foodies to enjoy! Photos by Getty   Chestnut festivals take place all over Italy in autumn. As well as the one at Vallerano, there are chestnut festivals at Marradi near Florence, […]

Chestnuts roasting…

Chestnuts Italy

Julie Friend attends a special food festival in the province of Viterbo, and discovers that here the chestnut is not just for Christmas Photos by Getty unless otherwise stated   Clinging to the side of Mount Cimino, in the province of Viterbo, is the hilltop town of Vallerano. Perched 400 metres above sea level, the […]