They have been farming the salt flats of Sicily since long before the Romans arrived on the island and they still are – the tourist industry here, you see, is not the most buoyant in Italy… Few tourists venture to the far west of Sicily. Even those travellers intrepid enough to leave the north coast […]
The Madonna della Bruna is the protector of Matera in Basilicata. Her feast day is the 2nd of July, when she is brought from the Church of San Francesco and presented to the people… In northern climes, we tend to reserve our illuminations and fireworks for the winter months, when we are glad for the light […]
The Isola Bella is a triumphant combination of man-made and natural beauty, thanks to the wealthy Borromeo family… Acquired by Carlo III Borromeo in 1630, this stunning island was originally called isola inferiore. Finding that name somewhat unfitting to its serene beauty – and no doubt wanting to make an indelible mark on the region […]
For a Sardinian escape that defies convention, the town of Bosa has iron-rich sands, costume-clad locals and more besides to offer… Bosa is a remote town that maintains a streak of the urban, located around 45km from Alghero on the western coastline of Sardinia. With a steady population of just 8,000 and a distinct lack […]
Bellagio on Lake Como has been popular since Roman times, due to its unique location between the three lake branches… With the Alps dominating its northern landscape, Bellagio has long been a town of inescapable beauty and natural drama. It is located at the intersection of the three branches of Lake Como, giving it a […]
The Milan tramway today is a far cry from the Roman horse-powered original model, but still the best way to explore the city… Driving in Milan is not for the faint-hearted – and there’s no reason to even attempt it when hands-down the most romantic way to explore Italy’s second city is by tram. Your […]
Lac Cornu, located in the Parco Naturale del Mont Avic, is a serene spot for walking (and fishing) in northwestern Italy… Right on the border between France and Italy, at the centre of the Graian Alps, is a nature park with spectacular vistas. The whole area encompasses lakes, peat bogs and a rolling pine forest […]
The Dolomites, situated in northeastern Italy, offer a wide range of exciting activities and breathtaking views… Spreading across the understated region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia you’ll find some of the most inspiring mountainous landscapes in the world, comprising a total of 18 peaks which rise to above 3,000m and cover almost 150,000 hectares. The varying formations […]
The idyllic island of Sicily is renowned the world over for sand, sun and food – but you may not have heard of its salt… On first glance you may think wheelbarrows seem rather out of place on a Sicilian beach – however this is salt, not sand, and it really is collected in the […]
The Barcolana regatta is one of the most crowded sailing events in the world and provides some thrilling scenery for spectators… Somewhat resembling a migrating flock of birds, both visually and in its regularity, an incredible number of sailing vessels annually grace the Gulf of Trieste in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. First established in 1969 as a […]