Viewpoint: Underwater Caves

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. […]

Viewpoint: The Ponte Vecchio

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 […]

Viewpoint: Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily

The dramatic view out to the Castellammare del Golfo from Segesta in Sicily is only matched by its dramatic history. Both must have outdone the spectacles played out in its theatre.   As background scenery goes it would be hard to beat the awe-inspiring panorama of the Hellenistic amphitheatre at Segesta in western Sicily. Segesta […]

The Gulf of La Spezia

Like a rainbow of painted plaster, the village of Portovenere hangs onto the cliffs above the swirling seas of the Gulf of La Spezia on the coast of Liguria – the home of fine wines and a one-time haunt of Byron’s. We know it’s a tough decision, trying to decide between the Amalfi coast and […]

The Po Delta

Dawn breaks over the Po Delta on a cold and grey late autumn morning, from a fisherman’s hut nets hang suspended over the water, waiting for the tides to dictate the start of the next shift… Fishing in the Po Delta is big business. Scenes like this – an isolated fisherman’s hut with nets hanging […]

Favignana Island

favignana

Captivating Favignana island in the Egadi archipelago is known as ‘the butterfly of the sea’ and boasts an array of natural wonders… Favignana is part of the Egadi Islands, located west of Sicily in the province of Trapani. In ancient times it was referred to as Aegusa, meaning ‘goat’s island’, adopting its modern name from […]

River Arno

Florence’s River Arno is in tranquil mood as it flows through the arches of the Ponte  Santa Trinità, but these sleek still waters have borne witness to a more tempestuous history… What could be more restful than the River Arno at dusk with Santa Maria del Carmine and the Florence skyline in the background. Rising […]

Trentino

trentino

The region of Trentino is famed for its winter sports rather than it wines, but what can you expect to drink to accompany dinner après ski? Italia! investigates the grapes that grow on the slopes in the summer… The northern region of Trentino, which lies between Lombardy to the west and the Veneto to the […]

Sassi di Matera

The Sassi di Matera are a series of ancient cave dwellings in the comune of Matera, in Basilicata. In fact there are two series of caves: the Sasso Caveoso and the later Sasso Barisano. And yes, they are still inhabited… Cave dwelling is nothing unusual. It has been estimated that in China there are some […]

Altopiano di Asiago

The Altopiano di Asiago lies to the north of Vicenza, or to the south-east of Trento, depending on which direction you’re coming from. Either way, the SP349 is the closest main road – after that you’re pretty much on your own… The ‘High Plain of Asiago’ is one of the most remote areas in all […]