Autumn on Lake Orta

Autumn trees around Lake Orta

Explore bustling markets, inspirational island walks, and enjoy the bounty of autumn on a relaxing getaway to scenic Lake Orta. It’s October when I arrive at La Darbia, which lies tucked away in the midst of ancient forest between Lake Orta and Monte Rosa in northern Piedmont. The smell of chestnuts roasting fills the air, wafting […]

5 religious festivals Italy enthusiasts need to know about

La Befana (the witch) with coal

From All Saints’ Day to La Festa della Befana, experience five of the most significant religious festivals in Italy and discover why they remain an integral part of Italian identity… Italy is steeped in history and tradition, and its religious festivals reflect this rich cultural tapestry. Religious festivals in Italy are celebrated with reverence, pageantry, and […]

4 beautiful Baroque towns to visit in Sicily

Baroque towns Sicily: Noto cathedral

Revel in the ornate, flamboyant architecture of the Val di Noto as we pay a visit to the most enchanting Baroque towns in Sicily.  Characterised by dramatic theatricality, intricate detailing and a sense of grandeur, the Sicilian Baroque is a distinctive architectural style that emerged at the end of the 17th century. Though clearly influenced […]

10 things you need to do in the Riviera di Ponente

Mediterranean sand beach in Alassio by San Remo in the Riviera di Ponente

Stretching from Genoa to Ventimiglia, with charming towns and beautiful beaches, the Riviera di Ponente has so much to explore, whatever the season, says Jane Keightley. Though it is not as well known as the Riviera di Levante, where visitors flock to the Cinque Terre and Portofino, the Riviera di Ponente has a charm all […]

48 Hours in Ischia

view from Ischia Sant'Angelo island into Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy

Explore beaches, castles, and thermal gardens as we spend 48 hours in Ischia, a perfect little gem in the glittering Gulf of Naples. Affectionately known as the Isola Verde, the ‘Green Island’, Ischia has so much to offer for a short getaway. The terrain is small enough to explore in just a few days and the […]

5 reasons foodies love to visit Ischia

pesce all’acqua pazza

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a cuisine-curious newbie, here are five great reasons to explore Ischia. 1. Taste traditional, wild-caught dishes Arguably Ischia’s most popular delicacy is the Ischitanian rabbit. The rabbits live wild in the woods and mountains and are still caught according to ancient tradition, where farmers lay pits in the wild […]

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

Tropea coastline from above

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 […]

Gazzetta: 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 […]