Category: Venice
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection, A Venice TreasureMarch 1, 2010 · Category: Venice
One 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 AntipastiFebruary 26, 2010 · Category: Puglia
Puglia’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, ItalyFebruary 23, 2010 · Category: Puglia
Baresi 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 IIFebruary 19, 2010 · Category: Puglia
For 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 IFebruary 18, 2010 · Category: Puglia
“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?February 14, 2010 · Category: Puglia
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 DisappearingFebruary 11, 2010 · Category: Italy
Civita 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”February 9, 2010 · Category: Puglia
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)February 7, 2010 · Category: Italy
“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, ItalyFebruary 5, 2010 · Category: Puglia
Oria 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 ParkFebruary 1, 2010 · Category: Italy
La 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 HolidayJanuary 27, 2010 · Category: Italy
Italy’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, ItalyJanuary 23, 2010 · Category: Puglia
With 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 RestaurantJanuary 19, 2010 · Category: Puglia
Famous 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 MonstersJanuary 18, 2010 · Category: Italy
About 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 WineJanuary 14, 2010 · Category: Northern Italy
Approaching 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 MovementJanuary 11, 2010 · Category: Northern Italy
A 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 ItalyJanuary 4, 2010 · Category: Europe Travel Tips, Italy
When 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 SeasonDecember 31, 2009 · Category: Italy
As 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 RenaissanceDecember 22, 2009 · Category: Florence
Recognized 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 EliteDecember 17, 2009 · Category: Italy
Pompeii 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!December 3, 2009 · Category: Venice
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 PestoDecember 2, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
The 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, SicilyNovember 27, 2009 · Category: Sicily
The 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 WinterNovember 22, 2009 · Category: Sicily
Mt. 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 DrinksNovember 8, 2009 · Category: Italy
The 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, ItalyNovember 6, 2009 · Category: Puglia
A 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 RomeNovember 2, 2009 · Category: Rome
The 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 ItalyOctober 23, 2009 · Category: Italy
Whether 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 PeninsulaOctober 12, 2009 · Category: Puglia
Nothing 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, ItalyOctober 6, 2009 · Category: Puglia
When 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 RomeOctober 3, 2009 · Category: Rome
The 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?October 2, 2009 · Category: Naples
“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 TreasureOctober 1, 2009 · Category: Tuscany
Fleas 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 NaplesSeptember 30, 2009 · Category: Naples
Ok, 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 HotelSeptember 29, 2009 · Category: Puglia
The 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 EspressoSeptember 27, 2009 · Category: Italy
I 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 GardaSeptember 26, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
My 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 VillasSeptember 25, 2009 · Category: Italy
When 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 GreatsSeptember 24, 2009 · Category: Naples
The 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, ItalySeptember 23, 2009 · Category: Tuscany
I 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 PilgrimageSeptember 21, 2009 · Category: Tuscany
St. 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 FestivalsSeptember 18, 2009 · Category: Puglia
Each 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 StillSeptember 16, 2009 · Category: Naples
Some 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 ItalySeptember 15, 2009 · Category: Puglia
The 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 BerniniSeptember 14, 2009 · Category: Rome
The 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, ItalySeptember 10, 2009 · Category: Puglia
Renown 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, ItalySeptember 3, 2009 · Category: Milan
Common 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 CryptsSeptember 3, 2009 · Category: Italy
The 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]
Cantine Aperte: Italy’s Country-Wide Wine FestivalAugust 31, 2009 · Category: Italy
Cantine Aperte is an annual wine-festival that takes place each May throughout all of Italy. From the Veneto region in the north,... [Read the full story]
Architectural Splendor in La Spezia, ItalyAugust 29, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
La Spezia (The spice) is a gateway to the Cinque Terre, one of Italy’s most beautiful and romantic spots along the Ligurian... [Read the full story]
A Day in Milan, ItalyAugust 28, 2009 · Category: Milan
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... [Read the full story]
European Wine Guide: ItalyAugust 25, 2009 · Category: Italy
Have you ever looked at labels on European wine bottles and wondered about the meaning of AOC, DOGC, or QmP? Look no further.... [Read the full story]
Guide to Neapolitan-Style PizzaAugust 19, 2009 · Category: Naples
Neapolitan-style pizza has been heralded the world over for being the true pizza, however, those who’ve been to Naples know... [Read the full story]
Culinary Bliss in Parma, ItalyAugust 17, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
On the way back home to Nice (France) after spending the week in Italy, my travel companion turned to me and asked “Do we need... [Read the full story]
Verona, Italy: Romeo, Juliet and MoreAugust 12, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
Romeo and Juliet may only be characters in a play, but they’ve been supporting a lucrative business in the city of Verona for... [Read the full story]
Staying and Dining in Gallipoli, ItalyAugust 10, 2009 · Category: Puglia
A city of two parts; Gallipoli is part Italian main street, part Mediterranean island. The main street portion, Corso Roma, offers... [Read the full story]
Bologna, Italy: La Dotta, La Grassa, La RossaAugust 7, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
During a 3-day visit, I discovered that there is more to love about Bologna than its fabulous Bolognese sauce. While I was living... [Read the full story]
Lecce, Italy: City of Jazz and ArchitectureAugust 5, 2009 · Category: Puglia
Lecce is a city of 90,000 located about as far south on the Italian boot as you can go. And though it is not well known—or perhaps... [Read the full story]
Wine Tasting in Puglia, ItalyJuly 30, 2009 · Category: Puglia
The wine world has focused more and more on Puglia, better known as the heel of the Italian boot, because its wines boast high... [Read the full story]
Italy’s Lake Como: Spectacular Villas, Gardens and Active SportsJuly 21, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
Lake Como, about 25 miles north of Milan, is a hugely popular spot, and it’s easy to see why. This gorgeous blue lake, 30 miles... [Read the full story]
When in Milan, try Italy’s Fabulous ApertivoJuly 20, 2009 · Category: Milan
Aperitivo is Italy’s happiest hour: For the price of a single drink, bars throw in an extensive buffet of traditional and exotic... [Read the full story]
A Honeymoon in TuscanyJuly 15, 2009 · Category: Tuscany
When my husband, Dan, and I were planning our honeymoon, we tossed around several options for honeymoon locations. We wanted a... [Read the full story]
Seeking Sanctuary on Borgo Santissimi Apostoli, FlorenceJuly 11, 2009 · Category: Florence
It’s late spring, unseasonably hot, and I’m amidst the clamoring crowds walking toward Ponte Vecchio on via Por Santa Maria.... [Read the full story]
Insider’s Guide to Italy’s Amalfi CoastJuly 8, 2009 · Category: Amalfi Coast
Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in all of Europe. The essence of its former... [Read the full story]
Italy’s Best Culinary ExperiencesJuly 7, 2009 · Category: Italy
A passion for food and easy access to fresh ingredients make Italy’s chefs some of the best in the world. With endless regional... [Read the full story]
Hiking Italy’s Amalfi CoastJuly 6, 2009 · Category: Amalfi Coast
Every time I travel to the Amalfi Coast I am swept away by its beautiful beaches, its incredible seafood, and the kindness of... [Read the full story]
Sardinia: Italy’s Hidden GemJuly 1, 2009 · Category: Sardinia
The island of Sardinia lies off the west coast of Italy and is second in size to Sicily. It’s an often overlooked destination,... [Read the full story]
White Knuckled Ride to the Place with no Horizon: the Amalfi CoastJune 29, 2009 · Category: Amalfi Coast
Dodging cars, trucks and vespas along precarious one-lane hairpin bends, the bus ride along Italy’s Amalfi Coast brings... [Read the full story]
Viareggio, Italy—A Cooling Escape from FlorenceJune 11, 2009 · Category: Florence
It is July and you are staying in Florence for a week. You rush from museum to cool museum to escape the suffocating heat. The... [Read the full story]
Villas and Gardens of Italy’s Borromean IslandsJune 9, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
The amazing sculptures and gardens on Isola Bella and Isola Madre, in Northern Italy’s Lake Maggiore, show what aristocratic... [Read the full story]
Locanda dell’Isola Comacina, A Restaurant Like No OtherMay 31, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
Comacina, a quiet, pleasant island in Lake Como, holds one of Italy’s lesser-known treasures: Locanda dell’Isola Comacina.... [Read the full story]
Italy’s Enchanting Isle of CapriMay 20, 2009 · Category: Italy
At the souvenir stand, the music boxes play “Isle of Capri” all day, every day. The vendor wears a pained expression. For... [Read the full story]
Musings on Via dei Cimatori in FlorenceMay 2, 2009 · Category: Florence
It is just before noon on a bright and clear Wednesday afternoon, and I am on the hunt for a new street. Crossing Piazza della... [Read the full story]
Review of Trattoria La Grotta – Cortona, ItalyApril 17, 2009 · Category: Tuscany
Trattoria La Grotta is situated right off the main square of Piazza della Republica in the southern Tuscany town of Cortona,... [Read the full story]
Florence Street Scenes: Via dello StudioMarch 20, 2009 · Category: Florence
It has become a habit for me, but one that always comes as a surprise: when walking toward Piazza della Repubblica from via del... [Read the full story]
Lodging in Italy: Try an Alberghi DiffusoMarch 17, 2009 · Category: Italy
An alberghi diffuso is a “diffuse hotel”, a new style of hotel where the facilities are spread out over several locations.... [Read the full story]
A Peek into Florence’s Backstreet HumanityFebruary 24, 2009 · Category: Florence
It is a very ordinary street in Florence, via Sant’Agostino. Some may say it’s dirty, or even unpleasant. Graffiti is scrawled... [Read the full story]
Enjoying Piedmont’s Culinary WondersFebruary 13, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
Piedmont, the region at the base of the Italian Alps, is bordered by Switzerland and France, and sometimes seems to take more... [Read the full story]
Day Trips to the Mountains of Trento, ItalyFebruary 4, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
Whether it’s skiing on Monte Bondone in January or swimming in the aquamarine lakes of Monte Terlago in June—there are countless... [Read the full story]
The Outer Islands of VeniceJanuary 29, 2009 · Category: Venice
The best of Venice can be seen in two days. So, if you’d like a different experience after the bustle of Venice, you may... [Read the full story]
Cooking Classes in ItalyJanuary 26, 2009 · Category: Italy
Italy is synonymous with good wine and good food. Regional specialties vary – from bistecca alla fiorentina in Tuscany to pizza... [Read the full story]
Exploring Italy’s Cinque TerreJanuary 24, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
Italy’s Cinque Terre offers one of the country’s most stunning coastlines. Cinque Terre means “Five Lands” and is a collection... [Read the full story]
Tuscany for LoversJanuary 21, 2009 · Category: Tuscany
Tuscany is one of the most romantic places in Europe, and is therefore high on the list of honeymooners or others looking to take... [Read the full story]
Visit the Sights in Trento, ItalyJanuary 14, 2009 · Category: Northern Italy
While many travelers to Italy are very happy to stroll the streets of Florence, get lost in the maze of Venice, or tour the ruins... [Read the full story]
Christmas Markets in FlorenceDecember 13, 2008 · Category: Florence
As the skies darken in Italy in the first week of December, the holiday lights of Florence sparkle up the night. Draped over... [Read the full story]
The Pazzi Conspiracy: A Tour Through FlorenceDecember 5, 2008 · Category: Florence
It’s one of the most dramatic stories in 15th-century Florence. In 1478, the Pazzi, a well-established Florentine banking family,... [Read the full story]
Easy Day Trips From FlorenceNovember 3, 2008 · Category: Florence
During your stay in Florence, especially if you’re here during the hot summer months, you’re going to want to leave behind... [Read the full story]
Best Florence HotelsOctober 23, 2008 · Category: Florence
Whether you want luxury accommodations with around-the-clock room service or just a clean, quiet place to lay your head after... [Read the full story]
Off the Beaten Path in SicilyOctober 15, 2008 · Category: Sicily
It is worth it to go off the beaten path to see the beauties of Sicily. Southern Italy’s heat can be searing, but we visited... [Read the full story]
Central Rome Hotel RecommendationsSeptember 22, 2008 · Category: Rome
Here’s our list of favorite central Rome hotels at every level. Although Rome, the city of love and “La Dolce Vita” has... [Read the full story]
Don’t Feed the Pigeons in VeniceMay 8, 2008 · Category: Venice
As of April 30, 2008 it became illegal to feed the pigeons in St. Marks Square. The mayor’s office issued the ban because... [Read the full story]
Gritty Florence: An Open Air MuseumSeptember 30, 2007 · Category: Florence
We arrived in Florence yesterday afternoon with plenty of time left for sight-seeing. We spent time in the beautiful San Lorenzo... [Read the full story]
A Foodie Day in TuscanySeptember 28, 2007 · Category: Tuscany
Foodies Alert: Yesterday we traveled to the little town of Panzano in Chianti to seek out a particular butcher and a particular... [Read the full story]
A Day in SienaSeptember 27, 2007 · Category: Tuscany
Buon Giorno - Although we have been to Italy several times, we never made it to Siena until now. What a shame; I could have spent... [Read the full story]
Tuscany at LastSeptember 24, 2007 · Category: Tuscany
After a long train ride and a change of trains in Florence, we arrived in Siena with my brother Chuck and his wife Georgiann waiting... [Read the full story]
New Rules: No Loitering in St. Mark’s Square, VeniceJune 11, 2007 · Category: Venice
Well… not technically loitering, but sitting on the ground while eating is no longer allowed in St Mark’s Square in... [Read the full story]
Florence Italy Travel GuideMay 16, 2007 · Category: Florence
Florence is the heart of Tuscany, but it is also the heart of the Italian Renaissance and one of the artistic capitals of the... [Read the full story]
The Merchants of Venice – Venice MarketsMay 13, 2007 · Category: Venice
We are aware of only three major Venice Markets on the main island. Be sure to get up early to visit and buy your picnic lunch... [Read the full story]
Venice Travel Guide: Hotels, Restaurants and MoreApril 8, 2007 · Category: Venice
Venice is a city that is home to attractions both unique and beautiful. The wonderful quiet is at first disconcerting; there are... [Read the full story]




