10 best things to see and do in Tropea, clifftop resort town in Calabria

Explore Tropea town, the Coast of the Gods and the surrounding countryside with Kate Wickers. Sitting pretty on Italy’s Calabrian toe sits southern belle Tropea. This seaside resort town remains delightfully off the tourist map (compared to other coastal beauties such as Amalfi) and is still more popular with holidaying northern Italians than it is […]

Gazetta: Italian artworks and culture as a political tool

Palazzo Barberini - National Gallery of Ancient Art in Rome

In this edition of our bilingual feature, Tom Alberto Bull reports on the efforts being made to bring Italian artworks into public galleries. Key words Useful Italian words and phrases to add to your vocabulary. In cima alla sua agenda At the top of its agenda Valori sociali tradizionali Traditional social values La crescita economica […]

Nonna’s Classic Ciambella

Country ring cake (ciambella rustica)

The ciambella rustica is a simple country ring cake made throughout Italy. It tends to be quite dry and so is often accompanied by a glass of white wine. The classic ciambella, like the crostata or the torta di frutta, is a simple country cake for which every grandmother in Italy has her own recipe. As […]

5 best Venetian islands you need to visit

Colourful Burano island in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy

From idyllic trails to picture-perfect towns, discover the most beautiful Venetian islands you won’t want to miss on your next Venice trip. 1. Burano: Best for postcard-perfect views A vibrant, picturesque island which, in the 16th century, began to flourish through the rise of its lace-making traditions, Burano is truly captivating for its colourful fishermen’s […]

The history of San Marino: Stamps, coins, and Abraham Lincoln

Guaita Tower view from san marino

If you’re planning a stay in Rimini, don’t miss a day trip to San Marino, Italy’s closest neighbour and the world’s oldest surviving republic. If you think the Italians are a proud bunch, you haven’t met the Sammarinese. “We’ve not been to a war since the 15th century,” said Maria Sara Forcellini, my tour guide, […]

5 best hot springs in Italy

Montecatini Terme Hot spring in Italy

Relax and recharge in these amazing hot springs to visit in Italy, from pampering sites in Ischia to the healing waters of Fiuggi. 1. Poseidon Thermal Gardens, Ischia Ischia lies in one of Italy’s most volcanic regions: the Bay of Naples in Campania. The hot waters here have been used for treatment since the 8th […]

10 reasons to visit Taranto: Puglia’s ‘City of the Two Seas’

Taranto swing bridge

Looking for things to do in Taranto? Val Nicastro introduces us to the hidden delights of Puglia’s second city… Despite being Puglia’s second-largest city, Taranto often slips under the radar of travellers, overshadowed by its industrial reputation. Yet it is a city rich in beauty and history. Dubbed the ‘City of the Two Seas’, it […]