The pre-dinner drink in Italy is one of my favorite diversions. I’m usually tired from a full day of activities—whether hiking or visiting art museums—and having a unique drink at a quiet table allows me to reflect on all I’ve done. My father once said, “When travelling, your mind is three days behind your body.” […]
One of the most exciting bits of planning your Italy vacation itinerary is also one of the most important aspects of your trip. The options are, of course, dazzling. Should you go to Venice or Milan? Which cities in Italy are the most important? Which Italian city has the best food? Naturally, we want to […]
A few years ago, I flew to Milan to speak at a literary conference in nearby Lugano, Switzerland. Though I only had one day in this bustling Italian metropolis, I remember it vividly and fondly. Milan is the second largest city in Italy, with a population of around 1.3 million Milanese (the term used for […]
Frommer’s, the company that has brought us some of the best budget and discount travel advice on the market, has just released a new travel guide that is a must-read. 500 Places to See before They Disappear is not only a great resource for new trip ideas but it is a stark reminder that a […]
The Italian word “ossario” (ossuary) can be traced back to the Latin word osseus, which means boney, and this is, quite literally, exactly what Italy’s ossario are. A resting place for the dead, they have been called crypts, catacombs, and tombs, but none of these words quite get the point across. Ossario are usually rooms […]
Common knowledge is that the Italians are on the cutting edge of fashion, industry and nightlife. Becoming environmentally friendly may now be added to the list. The city of Milan seems to be in the forefront of Italian cities getting in the “Green” act. The city recently announced a major Eco update in the form […]
Milan – Il Duomo – 12-01-2008 – 00h11 Milan is the largest and most important city of Northern Italy and is situated in the Po River Valley. For much of its history, Milan was subject to French and Austrian control until it was conquered in the 19th Century, subsequently becoming a part of Italy. Today, […]
Italy’s Cinque Terre offers one of the country’s most stunning coastlines. Cinque Terre means “Five Lands” and is a collection of five small villages nestled into the cliffs on the Ligurian Sea. Formerly supported by fishing, the primary industry today is tourism. And it’s not difficult to see why thousands of visitors come to this beautiful area […]
Just as visits to art galleries and Roman ruins are required on any tour of Europe, shopping is a must-do as well. But don’t be mistaken, shopping in Europe is not like shopping at home. It isn’t about hitting the strip mall to pick up socks and underwear; and if you find yourself in an outlet […]