Sound of the Dolomites festival Top Tips

INFORMATION ➤ www.visittrentino.it General Trentino tourism website that covers the entire region: from the Alps to the Mediterranean; from the crisp mountain air of the Dolomites to the mild, balmy climate of Lake Garda. ➤ www.visitrovereto.it More location-specific tourism website that concentrates on the town of Rovereto and the surrounding district of Vallagarina (known in German […]

48 Hours In Taormina

Is the Sicilian town of Taormina the friendliest tourist destination in Italy? Yolanda Zappaterra spends a long weekend there to find out… ‘La sposa arriva, la sposa arriva!’ shouts a small suited child excitedly as the hubbub from the crowd around the Chiesa San Giuseppe rises noticeably and hands begin to dig into bags of […]

Passport to Seborga

Marina Spironetti visits the intriguing city state of Seborga in western Liguria. Fiercely independent, it still boasts its own currency, its own passport and, yes, its own prince… Small countries have always fascinated me. From Andorra to Liechtenstein, from Monaco to San Marino – tiny states with their own history, proud to be different. I […]

Stuffed Red Peppers

Peperoni ripieni di carne  You can make stuffed red peppers with anything you like, but they do go well with beef. ➤ Serves 2 ➤ Preparation 10 minutes ➤  Cooking 50 minutes 2 large red peppers 200g lean minced beef 1 small onion, peeled, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled, finely chopped 150ml beef […]

Salt Flats of Sicily

They have been farming the salt flats of Sicily since long before the Romans arrived on the island and they still are – the tourist industry here, you see, is not the most buoyant in Italy… Few tourists venture to the far west of Sicily. Even those travellers intrepid enough to leave the north coast […]

Venice by bike & boat

Adrian Mourby leaves the planes and trains behind and sets out to reach La Serenissima from a new perspective – Venice by bike & boat… I had never heard of Chioggia until I joined a group of cyclists cycling from Mantua to Venice. I’d never thought about cycling around Italy either until now but it […]

Italian Hotels & B&Bs

A romantic stay for two, or a friendly welcome for the solo traveller… Here’s our pick of the best Italian Hotels & B&Bs for those planning a quick jaunt to Italy… RELAIS SAN PIETRO This family-run establishment is set in an 18th-century converted hamlet in the Tuscan hills and is pure paradise for those seeking […]

48 Hours In Rome

In a memorable visit to Rome, Mark Nicholls reflects on the absorbing atmosphere and ambience of the streets around Piazza Navona and beyond… The cobbles of Ponte Sant’Angelo are weathered and well-worn by the steady footfall of millions of pilgrims over the centuries. Lined by a double row of angels and in the shadow of […]

Top Tips For Rome

Planning a trip to the Eternal city? See below for the best places to eat, what to see and do, where to stay and how to get there to ensure you have the best time in Rome… WHERE TO STAY ➤ Atlante Star Hotel Via Vitalleschi, 34 +39 0668 73233 www.atlantehotels.com Comfortable rooms with friendly […]

Italian Language Guide Review

Whether you’re a complete beginner or want to brush up your existing Italian skills there’s a course out there to suit you. Here’s our Italian Language Guide Review… There has never been a better time to learn a language. Gone are the days when you’d have to rely on a fusty old phrasebook to teach […]