48 Hours in Matera

Matera, Basilicata, Italy (sassi di Matera)

Sara Scarpa flies south to visit a unique town in Basilicata that lives in the imagination of all Italians… Photos by Iain Reid unless otherwise stated   Lots has been written about this mystical and historic town in the otherwise little-known and rarely visited region of Basilicata. Part grotto, part subterranean wonderland (it is known […]

Gastronomy in the Mountains

Speck in Dolomites Italy

Amanda Robinson on why the Alta Badia area of the Italian Dolomites is gaining a global reputation for its fine food and drink… Photos by Amanda Robinson Over the past few years, Alta Badia has been growing its culinary reputation and, in an area of just 15 square kilometres, there are now six sparkling Michelin […]

Walking the Dolomites

Trekking, Alta Badia, Dolomites

With wonderful locations, a warm welcome and delicious food, the Alta Badia mountains aren’t just for the winter, says Amanda Robinson Photos by Amanda Robinson unless otherwise stated Think of the Dolomites and what do you see? It usually conjures up a picture of snow-capped peaks twinkling in the sunlight, rustic mountain lodges, bustling cable […]

Exploring Italy’s Past

Piazza Duomo, Syracuse

Paul Beston, an experienced guide from Peter Sommer Travels, explains how an appreciation of the layers of Italy’s history adds an extra dimension to any Italian holiday Photos by iStock     There’s no such thing as an Italian tour. You can’t do justice to this magnificent country by reducing it to that homogenised prospect. […]

Florence: Home of Poets

casa guidi florence

Jane Keightley stays at atmospheric Casa Guidi, the Florence apartment that Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett called home Photos by Jane Keightley Ever since my first trip to Florence I had always wanted to look around Casa Guidi, the home of the poets Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her husband Robert. I was now getting the chance […]

Learning to Row in Venice

Venice rowing lesson Italy

Mark Nicholls visits Venice, where he goes beyond the usual tourist sites to take lessons in rowing like a real gondolier… Photos by Sharon Nicholls unless otherwise stated Nan McElroy is patiently attempting to teach me the technique. The words grip, twist, lunge, push and return are in the instructions, chanted like a coded mantra, but […]

Back to Life in Umbria

Trevi

We join Penny Wainwright to explore the tourist initiatives that are encouraging visitors back to Umbria, after the devastating earthquakes of 2016… Photos by Penny Wainwright and iStock After the serious earthquakes that hit central Italy in 2016, I was keen to see how the region was recovering from the devastation, so I jumped at the […]

Three Highlights of Umbria

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy

Penny Wainwright visits three Umbrian destinations – Spoleto, Trevi and Bevagna – to see how tourism initiatives are breathing life back into Italy’s heartland Photos by Penny Wainwright Following the earthquakes in central Italy in 2016, I was keen to see how the region of Umbria was recovering from the devastation. Most of Umbria is […]

Four hidden highlights of Rome

Trastevere Rome

Real Rome Tours runs guided tours of Italy’s capital, and they have some fantastic expert tips for hidden Roman gems that you can visit in just one day… Rome is simply iconic – full of amazing sights, sounds and tastes to discover and enjoy. The only downside tends to be the huge number of tourists! […]

Ravello Travel Guide

Ravello view, Italy

Laura Thayer explores the best places to eat, stay and visit while you’re staying in Ravello – one of the Amalfi Coast’s most popular and beautiful destinations…   What to see & do Duomo di Ravello Ravello is dotted with churches, but the town’s most impressive is the Duomo located in the central piazza. Inside […]