Fleas are responsible for the charm that draws admiring visitors to Siena. That’s because the damage they caused back in 1348 left the city crippled, unable to change, and stuck in the Middle Ages. The dreaded Black Death, brought by flea-carrying rats, struck Europe’s crowded cities and decimated entire populations. Half the people of Siena […]
A passion for food and easy access to fresh ingredients make Italy’s chefs some of the best in the world. With endless regional variations on popular dishes, you’ll never have time to sample all of the delicious cuisine Italy has to offer. Here are some to the top tastes to enjoy a little sampler of […]
“How am I to send my postcards,” said a friend, “when I can’t even find the right person at the Italian Post Office to talk to?” Another friend lamented, “I usually send my postcards with ‘I’ll be seeing you before you read this.’” It is true that the Italian postal service, called the Poste Italiane, […]
Icons of the Puglia region of Italy, the conical huts known as trulli, poke out everywhere in the region, but nowhere are they as numerous as in the city of Alberobello. Demonstrating an architectural sense from another time (which sometimes seems like it comes from another world), trulli are made of hundreds of carefully placed […]
The amazing sculptures and gardens on Isola Bella and Isola Madre, in Northern Italy’s Lake Maggiore, show what aristocratic taste and plenty of money could do in the 17th century.
The island of Sardinia lies off the west coast of Italy and is second in size to Sicily. It’s an often overlooked destination, but the island of Sardinia lures savvy travelers with its unspoiled beaches, varied terrain, abundant wildlife, rich cuisine and charming small towns.
When we think of escaping to a villa in Italy, we imagine a peaceful retreat in a private and ancient setting. Some may think that this type of accommodation usually comes with old stone walls, leaky faucets and non eco efficient surroundings like a scene from Under the Tuscan Sun
sleepless apart Italy is perhaps Europe’s most illustrious country with a rich history and culture that is so irresistibly enticing to travelers. Between 40 and 50 million foreigners visit Italy each year. Their numbers have increased so dramatically since World War Two that tourism is now Italy's number one industry. Why do so many come? […]
On the last Sunday in May, Italy’s wineries fling open their doors and invite visitors to sample their creations. Cantine Aperte, which translates to Open Wineries, is best described as a countrywide wine party: It allows travelers to visit nearly every winery in Italy without making a reservation in advance. Just rent a car and […]
Comacina, a quiet, pleasant island in Lake Como, holds one of Italy’s lesser-known treasures: Locanda dell’Isola Comacina. At this unique restaurant, I enjoyed one of the memorable meals of my life. The restaurant, open six days a week, and closed November 1-March 1, has no menu. Guests are served the same meal every time, unchanged […]