Palazzo Medici-Riccardi

In 1659, the Medici family, now well and truly the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, sold their 1400s Renaissance home in Florence, where they had lived when they were bankers and the unofficial rulers of the Florentine Republic, to the Riccardi family. Understandably, the new owners immediately renovated. Possibly their most spectacular addition to the palazzo […]

Holidays on Italian Lakes & Mountains

Are you starting to think about taking a short holiday on the Italian Lakes? Check out these selected companies for ideas and inspiration…   Lake Como Homes Imagine gliding over a shimmering lake with stunning skyline peaks as your back-drop. Now moor up and relax at a lakeside café with a glass of wine, a plate […]

The Olive Harvest of Tuscany

As she heads to Tuscany to learn about the traditional olive harvest, Rachel Beckwith uncovers the simple pleasures of rural Italian life and, once she gets a taste for it, is fully converted… I arrived at La Vialla in October, the Tuscan sun a little shy behind the clouds, ready and willing to help with […]

Carluccio’s Italian food review

We’ve gathered together our favourite Carluccio’s Italian food treats in a handy review guide to help you decide what to add to your Italian shopping basket Carluccio’s Torcetti www.carluccios.com Price £3.50/180g These biscuits are a delicious – and authentic – take on the traditional sweet snack from Piedmont. They were a universal hit with Italia!’s […]

Tales from Italy: Exploring the Italian Countryside

Stuart Haines has long had a passion for exploring the Italian countryside on foot, and has written the Cicerone guidebook Walking in Abruzzo to share his experiences…  What was your first experience of Italy? It was as a geology student, searching the Alps above Domodossola for the elusive and beautiful mineral, kyanite. It was September […]