Our Expert Articles: Italy
Italy From Bottom to Top: Saying GoodbyeDay 59 I’ve never felt more a part of Italy, which makes for a sad goodbye. Spending so much time in its mountains (even shaping... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Italy Farm StayFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Farm Work and Hiking in AbruzzoFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: Abruzzo Cibus Cooking ClassFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: Visiting a Cheese FactoryFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
An Overview and Review of Abruzzo Cibus Culinary ToursThe Abruzzo Cibus Culinary Tour is an all-inclusive tour. Guests choose either the four- or seven-day package and stay in a fabulous... [Read the full story]
Italy from Botttom to Top: Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National ParkFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Making Risotto in VeronaFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: VeronaFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Luxury at the Riserva di Fizzano ResortFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
A Visit to Rocca delle Macíe Winery in TuscanyFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Wine Tasting in ChiantiFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: Tuscany’s CuisineFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Enjoying an Aperitivo in Florence, ItalyFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Florence’s Mercato Centrale in the San Lorenzo MarketFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Umbria’s Traditional FoodsFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Arriving in PerugiaFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: Agriturismo Belsito Pian di BoccioFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: Montefalco and Cantine AperteFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: Assisi and Camping at Pian di BoccioFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Top Sights in NaplesFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Arriving in NaplesFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: The Amalfi CoastDay #18 A small town on the Amalfi Coast, with a light rain on the roofs of the buildings built into the sides of the cliff,... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: Visiting Salerno and PaestumFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: On to MateraFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
The Sassi Caves in Matera, ItalyI recently visited Matera, Italy with a group of friends and found ancient architecture built on the brink of a sprawling green... [Read the full story]
Up Close Picture of the Week: Venice, ItalyConfused as to the transportation system in Venice? Let Jen explain how to get around Venice using Gondolas, Vaporetti and Traghetti Photo... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Tasting and Talking about Puglia WineFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: the Cuisine of PugliaFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Italy from Bottom to Top: the Trulli of PugliaFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Visiting the Historical Trulli of Alberobello, ItalyIcons of the Puglia region of Italy, the conical huts known as trulli, poke out everywhere in the region, but nowhere are they... [Read the full story]
Italy From Bottom to Top: Biking in PugliaFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Travelogue: Italy From Bottom to Top, LecceFollow me as I journey from the southern tip of Italy’s Puglia region all the way up to the Trento Alps. I’ll be focusing... [Read the full story]
Puglia’s Best Kept Culinary Secret: PanzerottoA panzerotto is a fried version of a calzone that is unique to the Puglia region of Italy. Piping hot and stuffed with mozzarella... [Read the full story]
Sant’ Ambrogio: An Eco Friendly Village in SicilyThe true face of Sicily can still be seen in the small villages although many locals would say their way of life has changed... [Read the full story]
Gondolas, Vaporetti and Traghetti: Getting Around VeniceWhen one thinks of Venice, images of floating down canals while being serenaded by a strapping gentleman in a striped shirt typically... [Read the full story]
Up Close Picture of the Week: Tuscany, ItalyTuscany is one of our favorite areas of Italy. The green rolling hills and red-tiled roofs welcome visitors with their warmth... [Read the full story]
Italy Tourist InformationIntroduction to Italy The tenth largest country in Europe; Italy reaches into the central Mediterranean and includes the islands... [Read the full story]
Italy’s Wine Festival: Cantine Aperte 2010On the last Sunday in May, Italy’s wineries fling open their doors and invite visitors to sample their creations. Cantine Aperte,... [Read the full story]
The Islands of Venice, ItalyVenice, the island jewel of the Renaissance, offers visitors more than high culture, a combative history and exquisite art. ... [Read the full story]
A Volunteer Vacation on the Ligurian Coast of ItalyFor those of you who want to have a travel experience that is truly satisfying, consider a volunteer vacation with PCT tours... [Read the full story]
Rome’s Fifth-Quarter MeatsWhen I first heard the phrase “fifth quarter meats,” I asked: What are fifth quarter meats, and how can you get five... [Read the full story]
Cavour 313: Rome’s Oldest Wine BarThe primary reasons for checking out Cavour 313 are a warm welcome, an overall sincerity and lack of pretension, a massive, 1000-bottle-plus... [Read the full story]
Pizzeria Lombardi in Naples: a ReviewLike everyone who is obsessed by pizza, I have dedicated a good portion of my travel time to finding the best pizza in Naples. Naples... [Read the full story]
Up Close Picture of the Week: Florence, ItalyFlorence, Italy is a wonderful choice any time of the year. Read more in our Insider’s Guide to Florence, Italy Read More →
Using Rome’s Public TransportationRome’s public transportation is both modern and efficient, and though it is best to wander the city on foot, the easy-to-use... [Read the full story]
Curious Easter Ceremonies in ItalyEaster time in Italy means spending time with family, eating good food, and picnicking in the countryside. Businesses sometimes... [Read the full story]
Tips for Traveling in Italy During EasterTraveling in Italy during Easter can be wonderful or perilous. Before you decide, read my story. Perhaps this is a funny story.... [Read the full story]
Vinitaly: the Largest Wine Show in the WorldVinitaly is the largest wine show in the world and, until recently, exclusive to those in the wine business. But last year, the... [Read the full story]
Grappa: Italy’s Own LiquorThe first time I drank grappa I was lost in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. My girlfriend and I eventually found a bar and... [Read the full story]
Lecce, Italy: A Top Ten City to Visit in 2010The Italian city of Lecce, located in the far, far south of Italy, is a city on the rise. Voted one of the top ten cities to visit... [Read the full story]
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, A Venice TreasureOne of the world’s most important collections of 20th century art is displayed in the Palazzo Veneiri dei Leoni, overlooking Venice’s... [Read the full story]
The Flavors of Puglia’s AntipastiPuglia’s Cuisine is seafood rich and fresh, and that includes Puglia’s antipasti. Ricotta-stuffed mozzarella, swordfish... [Read the full story]
Dining at Vini e Cucina Restaurant in Bari, ItalyBaresi cuisine focuses on vegetables, hearty pasta, and roasted meats and it is often served family-style. To get the full effect,... [Read the full story]
Truffle Hunting in Italy: Part IIFor the first part of this article, see Truffle Hunting in Italy, Part I The olive trees puff gently with wind from the nearby... [Read the full story]
Truffle Hunting in Italy: Part I“Every day is a good day for truffle hunting,” says Giuseppe Lolli, winemaker, restaurant owner, and truffle hunter. Giuseppe... [Read the full story]
Visiting Bari, Italy: A Den of Fashionable Thieves?Bari is the capital of the Puglia region in southern Italy, and boasts a population of half a million. As a coastal city, it... [Read the full story]
Italy’s Civita de Bagnoregio, Isolated and DisappearingCivita di Bagnoregio ranks high as one of the most unusual villages in Italy. This is the place to see when you want to step into... [Read the full story]
All Around Ostuni, Italy, “the White Town”Ostuni is located in the Puglia region of Italy, commonly known as the heel of the boot. The hilltop town of just over 30,000... [Read the full story]
How to Use the Italian Post Office (Poste Italiane)“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... [Read the full story]
The Ancient Messapian City of Oria, ItalyOria is a truly ancient, hilltop town in the south of Italy. Located in the Puglia region, the town was thriving as long ago as... [Read the full story]
Enjoy Winter Sports at Italy’s La Sila National ParkLa Sila National Park is located in the Calabria region of Italy (a.k.a. the toe of the boot). It is off the beaten track, providing... [Read the full story]
Italy’s Abruzzo National Park: A Winter HolidayItaly’s Abruzzo National Park is located just over 50 miles east of Rome, and spans an area of over 190 square miles. The natural... [Read the full story]
Visiting the Bustling Port Town of Brindisi, ItalyWith only two hours of sleep, I arrived in Brindisi, Italy at 6am on a night train. Brindisi, located in southeast Italy, is... [Read the full story]
Cucina Povera: Lecce, Italy’s Casareccia RestaurantFamous for its authenticity, cozy and rustic atmosphere, and homey service, the Cucina Casareccia restaurant, located in Lecce,... [Read the full story]
Bomarzo, Italy’s Park of MonstersAbout 70 kilometers northwest of Rome, just outside the small town of Bomarzo, lies an exceedingly strange garden: Parco dei Mostri... [Read the full story]
Verona, Italy – City of Tragic Love and White WineApproaching Verona , Italy on the train, I knew very little about the city other than that it is the setting for Shakespeare’s... [Read the full story]
Alba, Italy: Home of the Slow Food MovementA culinary epicenter on a global level, Alba is home to the Slow Food Movement, noble wines made with the Nebbiolo grape, and... [Read the full story]
Using a Cell Phone While Visiting ItalyWhen I first visited Italy I didn’t understand the ins and outs of using phones while traveling. I thought that you needed to... [Read the full story]
An Italian-Style Christmas SeasonAs a foreigner visiting Italy during the winter holidays, it seems logical to question just how Italians celebrate the Christmas... [Read the full story]
Uffizi Gallery – Stepping into The Florentine RenaissanceRecognized as one of the most important art museums in Italy, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is home to the works of numerous... [Read the full story]
Viewing the Lives of Pompeii, Italy’s ElitePompeii is one of the leading sights in all of Italy because it takes visitors into the past, one that not only surrounds them... [Read the full story]
Venice on a Budget!Visitors to Venice can’t help but admire its bridge-crossed canals, cobblestone streets and romantic rides down the canal... [Read the full story]
The Secrets of Genovese PestoThe Italian city of Genoa is not recognized for its beauty. Its massive industrial port blocks views of the Mediterranean, and... [Read the full story]
The Skinny on Taormina, SicilyThe first time I visited Taormina was somewhat by accident. If you enter Sicily by ferry from Reggio di Calabria, the final city... [Read the full story]
The Hazards of Visiting Mt. Etna in WinterMt. Etna, a volcano located on the eastern side of Sicily, dominates the island’s skyline and its awe-inspiring peak is visible... [Read the full story]
A Guide to Italian Pre-Dinner DrinksThe pre-dinner drink in Italy is one of my favorite diversions. I’m usually tired from a full day of activities—whether hiking... [Read the full story]
The Gothic City of Otranto, ItalyA coastal town on Italy’s Salento Peninsula, Otranto is a city out of a fairytale (in fact, the first Gothic novel ever written... [Read the full story]
A Perfect Late-Night Walk Through RomeThe immortal city of Rome is never more stunning than at night when all of its incredible buildings, fountains, and piazzas are... [Read the full story]
The Italian Picnic, or Eating Cheap in ItalyWhether you’re looking at a five hour train ride, embarking on an afternoon hike, or spending a day at the beach, Italian grocers... [Read the full story]
The Best Beaches on Italy’s Salento PeninsulaNothing says Mediterranean like white-sand beaches, soft wind, and gentle waves. And the Salento peninsula in Italy’s Puglia... [Read the full story]
Night of Lights and Symphonies: The Sant’Oronzo Festival in Lecce, ItalyWhen the large food venders rolled in, I knew this was going to be a big one. Lecce features events of all shapes and sizes on... [Read the full story]
The Roma Pass: Skipping the Tourist Lines in RomeThe Roma Pass was once a little-known trick of sophisticated travelers, but it has now become a must-have for anyone visiting... [Read the full story]
Is Naples, Italy Worth a Visit?“You either love it or you hate it,” said a friend of mine. It was the first thing I ever heard about the Italian city of... [Read the full story]
Siena, Italy: Tuscany’s Medieval TreasureFleas are responsible for the charm that draws admiring visitors to Siena. That’s because the damage they caused back in 1348... [Read the full story]
The Underground City of NaplesOk, so I’ve come around to accepting that there are other things to do in Naples than eat pizza. It was tough though, and took... [Read the full story]
Dining on the Roof of Lecce, Italy’s Five Star HotelThe Roof Garden Altavilla restaurant on top of the Risorgimento Resort Hotel offers very fine Italian food with memorable views... [Read the full story]
Enjoying Italian EspressoI can’t imagine spending a day in Italy without indulging in a simple cup of dark, nutty espresso or sipping it through a cloud... [Read the full story]
Loving Italy’s Lake GardaMy grandfather gave me a copy of Goethe’s Italian Letters before I took the train south from Frankfurt to Lake Garda, in... [Read the full story]
Eco Friendly Ancient Italian VillasWhen we think of escaping to a villa in Italy, we imagine a peaceful retreat in a private and ancient setting. Some may think... [Read the full story]
Naples Archeological Museum – One of the GreatsThe lively city of Naples has a lot to offer, from a 13th-century Gothic cathedral to terrific pizza joints, but the most compelling... [Read the full story]
Wine Tasting in Chianti, ItalyI never realized how easy it is to go wine tasting in Chianti until I gave it a try. My girlfriend Kristin and I were staying... [Read the full story]
Assisi, Italy: A Place of PilgrimageSt. Francis, born in 1181 to a wealthy silk merchant and his wife, was definitely no saint to begin with. He partied and drank... [Read the full story]
Puglia, Italy’s Summer Food and Wine FestivalsEach summer, Italy’s Salento peninsula is absolutely overrun with food festivals and wine tastings. A land known primarily for... [Read the full story]
Pompeii, Italy: Where Time Stands StillSome 2,000 years ago, Pompeii was a thriving city of shops, taverns, workshops, theatrical shows, and homes with elaborate courtyards.... [Read the full story]
One of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Roads in ItalyThe road between Italy’s Santa Maria di Leuca and Otranto hugs the incredible white stone cliffs of the Southern Italian coastline... [Read the full story]
Borghese Museum: The Brilliance of BerniniThe Vatican dominates the art museums of Rome, with its vast collection of treasures, but for me, the Borghese Gallery and Villa... [Read the full story]
Porto Cesáreo’s Private Islands, ItalyRenown for its freshest of the fresh seafood and sublime beaches, the city of Porto Cesáreo in Italy’s Puglia region is a popular... [Read the full story]
Buon Viaggio Green Travelers: Milan, ItalyCommon knowledge is that the Italians are on the cutting edge of fashion, industry and nightlife. Becoming environmentally friendly... [Read the full story]
Visiting Italy’s CryptsThe Italian word “ossario” (ossuary) can be traced back to the Latin word osseus, which means boney, and this is, quite literally,... [Read the full story]




