Cattedrale di San Martino – Past Italia

A calling point for pilgrims from the north on their way to Rome, Lucca Cattedrale or Cathedral is the resting place of one of the most important holy images of the Middle Ages… Saint Martin’s Cathedral in Lucca is famed for housing the Holy Face of Lucca (Il Volto Santo di Lucca), a large wooden crucifix […]

Top Picks this month

Discover what lies under the streets of Rome, get a book with enough recipes to host an al fresco Italian tea party and be beautiful while you do it, with the best of Italy this July…    Back to Cool When the time comes for the kids to go back to school, you can be sure […]

48 Hours in Portofino

Has the bewitching, world-famous destination lost its shine in recent years? Sarah Lane visits the northern Italian resort, Portofiono, to discover it has more to offer than ever… Portofino – the very name conjures up images from the 1950s of glamorous film stars rubbing shoulders with the world’s richest, most influential aristocrats and politicians. More […]

Top Italian Art Deco Posters

Of course we’d love to see the sights of Italy all day, every day! Remind yourself of your time abroad with one of these art deco inspired posters. If you were whisked away on a vesper or maybe you’re honeymoon was in Rome. Don’t forget that moment! Anderson Design Group are offering this series of romantic travel art […]

Italia! Moments – Week 4

From herb gardens to stunning views at Anacapri, we feel like we’ve been on an all round trip of Italy! Send your photos ready for Italia! Moments Week 5. Amelia Hovath sent us some stunning images of her trips in Italy, we selected our favourite which is her view over the sea at Anacapri. This […]

Gondola – Italia Icons

Think of transport in Venice and you think of the gondola, but this is a relationship that has been developed in large part by the city’s tourism industry. As a working boat, there are better options. Though it is now recognized the world over as the typical boat of Venice, the gondola is in fact […]

48 Hours in Cefalù and the Aeolian Islands

With nothing particular to do except enjoy the sun, sea and scenery, James Miller spent the weekend ambling around Cefalù and venturing out to the neighbouring islands… Here are countless reasons why visiting Sicily is a good idea: natural beauty, historical and cultural interest, food, even romance. As a regular visitor I’m no stranger to […]

Brexit: A positive outlook for Italians

Now, nearly a month ago, Britain voted to leave the European Union, and many if not most British expats in Italy are deeply concerned. But we need to look at the positive effects this could have as well… Credit: This article was originally from The Local. It has not been easy, but we’ve had a go at looking on […]

Italia Icons – Michelangelo

It is perhaps the most famous statue in the world and a preeminent icon of the Renaissance, and of the city that produced the Renaissance… Michelangelo’s David was first commissioned in 1466, though not to the artist who completed it. (He wasn’t even born until 1475). The commission originally went to one Agostino di Duccio, […]

Appassionata Boutique

With a new collection for Spring/Summer 2016, Appassionata Boutique has the handbag for you…   Combining our love for Italy and handbags, Appassionata Boutique designs and creates luxury handmade Italian leather handbags for a global market. Like most women, our love for handbags started at a young age. We set up Appassionata Boutique so women […]