Winter in the Valle di Gran San Bernardo

san bernardo carnival

Rachael Martin arrives in Aosta’s ‘cold valley’ just in time for carnival, as well as taking advantage of the snowy weather to explore the region Photos by Rachael Martin unless otherwise stated   It’s carnival time on a cold February morning in the Great St Bernard Valley in northern Italy’s Aosta Valley region. I’m in […]

Private island paradise: Isola Santa Cristina

Isola Santa Cristina

In the heart of the Venetian lagoon lies a private island that has long been a mystery, but after years of renovation Isola Santa Caterina is now an eco-friendly luxury retreat Photos courtesy of Isola Santa Caterina   Settled in the fifth century as part of a group of garden islands known as Ammiana, Santa […]

Hidden depths: the Venetian lagoon

Camilla Purdon discovers the secret world of the Venetian lagoon with a culinary cruise on board one of the region’s last historic fishing vessels. Photos by Camilla Purdon unless otherwise stated   I’m standing on the deck of Eolo, one of Venice’s last historic fishing boats, looking out across the limpid green waters of the […]

Trento travel guide

MUSE building Trento

Valentina Nicastro shares some of her favourite places to eat, stay and visit when in the gorgeous northern city of Trento. (Photos by Valentina Nicastro unless otherwise stated) What to see & do Castello del Buonconsiglio This splendid castle is the biggest and most important historic building not just in Trento but in the entire […]

48 hours in Trento

Trento, Italy

The delightful but overlooked alpine town of Trento should be on your radar all year round for a perfect weekend getaway. Words and photos by Valentina Nicastro (unless otherwise stated) It may not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re planning a weekend gateway to Italy, but Trento has all the ingredients […]

A meeting of ways in Courmayeur

Courmayeur holiday

How would a father and son, skier and snowboarder team fare for five days on the slopes together? Jon Bickley took teenager Ben back to the Alps to find out… Courmayeur photos courtesy of Jon Bickley   After the second time I went skiing with my son Ben, on a school trip to Bormio eight […]

Seasonal Sorrento

Free of the summer’s foreign tourists, but no less lively, Sorrento is a beautiful place to be at Christmas – here’s why it’s a perfect festive destination… Words and photos by Fleur Kinson   The Christmas period seems to come earlier and earlier in Britain, with shops piled high with gifts, tinsel and crackers long […]

Molise travel guide

Valentina Nicastro brings us some of her favourite places to stay, eat and visit in Molise – a little-known region of Italy that deserves to be better known… Where to eat Osteria Paradiso An institution in Isernia, serving excellent homemade food from the Molise area. Top dishes include sagne with fagioli (left) – hand-made pasta with […]

Molise: a voyage of discovery

Molise

Even here at Italia! we have rarely featured Molise, yet this unsung destination is deserving of your attention. Words and pictures by Valentina Nicastro You’re going where?” This is what friends kept asking me when I proudly announced my decision to visit Molise. Why? Because this small region overshadowed by neighbouring Puglia, Campania, Lazio and Abruzzo […]

10 Christmas highlights of Milan

For a Christmas break with a difference, join Rachael Martin as she heads to Milan and nearby Lake Como to soak up the festive atmosphere…  Milan photos by Comune di Milano unless otherwise stated 1. Christmas starts early in Milan with the Sant’Ambrogio festival On 7 December it is the feast day of Milan’s patron […]