Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, Italia! discovers one of the many reasons to visit Emilia-Romagna’s artistically rich city Ravenna, which boasts eight UNESCO world heritage sites. Of the many attractions that draw visitors to Emilia-Romagna’s Ravenna, the over-whelming Byzantine heritage is among the most alluring. Ravenna was the capital of the Western […]
Matera stands in for the Jerusalem of 2,000 years ago in this graphic depiction of the death of Jesus Christ… (2004, Matera. Directed by Mel Gibson. Starring Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci) Mel Gibson directed this highly controversial film that graphically traces the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life leading up to his Crucifixion. It has […]
Beneath Sardinia’s beautiful surface exists a world ripe for discovery. Underwater caves and strange creatures await those who dare to dive. The beauty of Sardinia’s landscape is much documented, but there’s a whole other side to this paradise in the Mediterranean. Deep underwater lurks a very different sort of holidaymaker to the typical beach-dwelling tourist. […]
What’s not to like? Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law all feature in one of our favourite of the Great Italian films! The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999, Rome, Venice, Procida & Ischia. Directed by Anthony Minghella. Starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law) Anthony Minghella directs this star-studded young cast in the stylish recreation […]
One thousand miles of open-road racing launched some of the greatest car manufacturers in the world. Italia! explores the turbulent history of the legendary car race The legend of the Mille Miglia is remembered to this day, but what lead to the demise of the great thousand mile car race? In 1927, the race was […]
The Ponte Vecchio was the setting for these locks of love, symbolising an eternal bond. But young couples didn’t reckon with the might of bolt cutters. The Ponte Vecchio in Florence; an emblem of the great city since 1345. But for a brief period in its illustrious reign it also became the site of a […]
Most months consist of some kind of festival in Italy – some celebrations more peculiar than others. Italia! discovers some of the weird, but mostly wonderful carnivals. 1. Carnevale di Venezia Venice’s internationally famed carnival attracts thousands of visitors every year. When you consider the scale of the event and number of passionate participants, it is […]
This is No.3 in a series of eight of the most memorable starring roles, up next is the cult classic ‘Don’t Look Now’ featuring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie Don’t Look Now (1973, Venice, directed by Nicholas Roeg. Starring: Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie) Daphne du Maurier’s dark novels have inspired a number of spine-chilling yet highly-acclaimed film […]
At the height of Mussolini’s powers, physical fitness was used to demonstrate the ‘supremacy’ of the fascist movement. As these diminutive skiers show, children were not exempt. Between 1926 and 1937, when the fascist regime was at its peak, Mussolini founded the Operazione Nazionale Balilla – Italy’s version of the Hitler Youth. Part of Il […]
We present to you the first in a series of eight of the most memorable starring roles, we begin with Roman Holiday starring style icon Audrey Hepburn… Roman Holiday (1953, Rome, directed by William Wyler. Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck) Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck star in this timeless 50s classic, a worthy tribute to the Eternal […]