5 reasons to visit Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is pretty as a picture, but a colourful coast and stunning scenery aren’t the only things offered by these vibrant seaside villages. Discover five delicious reasons to visit Cinque Terre… 1. Luscious lemons One sight you can’t fail to notice throughout the rugged terrain of Cinque Terre is the many lemon trees that […]

48 hours in Portoferraio

Spending a weekend in Elba’s capital Portoferraio is the best introduction to the island, says Jane Gifford Mythology has it that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, was visiting one of her many lovers on the Italian mainland when she accidentally broke her string of pearls, and in doing so formed the Tuscan […]

The A-Z of Florence

The capital of Italy’s Tuscany region is home to many interesting secrets… Florence has so much history and culture to offer. Here’s our A-Z of all things Florence. ARNO The river that flows through central Florence begins at Monte Falterona in the Apennines and flows 241km from there to the Ligurian Sea. BOTTICELLI The prolific […]

Tuscany Travel Guide

A travel guide to the Italian region of Tuscany… Tuscany remains the most popular of Italian regions and is loved by tourists and would-be property buyers for many reasons, not least because of its beautiful countryside and cities laden with Renaissance treasures and historic monuments. But while property prices remain high, the allure does not […]

The top 10 reasons you should visit Gavi

We are all familiar with Gavi wine, but how much do we know about the region it comes from? Marina Spironetti reveals ten reasons why you should make ‘Gavishire’ your next destination… Images by Marina Spironetti unless otherwise stated. The name Gavi is a favourite on any wine list. One of Piedmont’s most popular exports, […]

Top 10 guide to the best of Italy’s coastal wildlife

The seas around Italy are teeming with life and its coastline boasts a thrilling array of natural wonders. Jenny Oldaker explores a few of its highlights… All images © Getty Images unless otherwise stated With a coastline of 7,600km (including islands), the sea has always been hugely important to Italy, helping the country maintain healthy […]

Southern Belle: The L’Andana Resort

Head to Tuscany’s beautiful south and relax in style at L’Andana Resort, an historic and welcoming Medici villa overlooking the tranquil Maremma landscape. Image © L’Andana Under expansive, ever-changing skies, the Maremma in southern Tuscany is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. From its woodlands and wide plains, where the butteri (cowboys) still drive […]