Siena: what to see and do

Jane Keightley brings us six highlights of this magical Tuscan city… the things not to be missed when you visit Siena… Photos by iStock Piazza del Campo The shell-shaped piazza that is the centre of Siena was completed in 1340 and all manner of activities have taken place here, including boxing matches, bullfights and even […]

Siena’s Palio: the Thrill of the Race

Siena Palio, Tuscany Siena

Having failed on previous occasions to see the actual races, Jane Keightley finally experiences all the pride and pageantry of Palio week in Siena… Photos by Jane Keightley This was far from the first time I had visited Siena, but never before had I actually been there to experience the Palio. On one occasion I […]

Pescara Travel Guide

The Trabocchi Coast on the Adriatic coast, Abruzzi Italy

Little visited by British tourists, the province of Pescara in Abruzzo remains an area that’s not on the usual tourist trail, but it’s a part of Italy that’s well worth exploring, as Lorenza Bacino explains… The province of Pescara surrounds the city of the same name and lies in the very centre of the region of […]

Ten reasons to love Pescara

Pescara Abruzzo from above

Lorenza Bacino takes a tour of this seaside town and the surrounding province, and discovers pretty villages, abbeys, churches, museums, and plenty of wonderful places to eat Photos by Lorenza Bacino unless otherwise stated 1. The view from above For the more adventurous, a scenic tour of the coastline and mountains from above could be […]

Into the blue: Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa

Almar Jesolo resort Italy

Amanda Robinson travels to northeastern Italy to visit Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa, a five-star hotel on the Lido di Jesolo that’s redefining the beach holiday for the 21st century Photos by Amanda Robinson and Almar Jesolo Resort We flew in to Venice’s Marco Polo airport leaving behind the chilly doldrums of London’s feeble foray […]

A taste of Catania

catania fish sicily

Sicily has countless charms to tempt visitors, and here Francesca Unsworth visits the island’s second largest city to discover why it is a food-lover’s paradise                         Catania and I didn’t get off to the greatest start. “Take a hike,” was the censored version of […]

Tuscany travel guide for opera lovers

Lake Massaciuccoli, Tuscany, Italy

If you love opera, where better to hear it than in Tuscany? All summer long, you can enjoy beautiful music in lovely Tuscan locales. From great accommodation to top spots for food and drink, Adrian Mourby’s guide is your perfect travel companion Photos by Kate Tadman-Mourby Where to stay Nido D’Amore Butterfly Hotel The Love Nest […]

Puccini: the sound of Tuscan music

Puccini festival Lucca, Italy

Travel to Tuscany during the summer months and you can enjoy thrilling operatic performances in the region’s historic towns and villages. Adrian Mourby visits Lucca as it comes alive with the music of Giacomo Puccini Photos by Kate Tadman-Mourby   Towards the end of his life, Giacomo Puccini admitted that one day he’d like to hear […]

Emilia-Romagna: cities of food

Alexander James brings us the low-down on the top spots for food and drink in Emilia-Romagna… one of the best regions for enjoying Italy’s finest specialities Modena Modena is a city laden with hidden culinary treats. Many know it as the place-name that adorns balsamic vinegar bottles. But the real deal vinegar is very different […]

Emilia-Romagna: University of the Good Life

Bologna. L'antica zona del Mercato di Mezzo (Mercato Vecchio, Quadrilatero). Vie Pescherie Vecchie. Negozio di salumeria e prodotti tipici enogastronomici.

Think of Italy and its most well-known food exports, and a third of them come from one region: Emilia-Romagna. Alexander James finds out why this part of the country is such a gastronomic hot-spot… Photos by Bologna Welcome (www.bolognawelcome.com) unless otherwise stated Visit this region between the Adriatic Sea and Tuscany and you’ll find the […]