A few years ago we were invited over to our friend’s house for supper in Montefiore. We arrived late, as usual, my fault not Michael’s! We were introduced to a lovely Dutch couple, Constance and Bert Jacobs. I liked them instantly, they have a zest for life and adventure and love Italy as much as […]
Linda Little from Sydney, Australia, bought a two-bedroom apartment in the San Polo district of Venice in early 2016. It sits three floors up in a canalside townhouse, in a quiet area close to all the city’s major sights, and Linda gets to enjoy watching gondolas passing beneath her balcony. She and her partner spend […]
It’s famous for Venice and other captivating cities, but this prosperous northern region has rural delights aplenty. Buyers seeking good investment or great value for money should take a closer look, says Fleur Kinson. Sophisticated, romantic and beautiful – these words might or might not describe your partner, but they certainly describe Veneto, a lovely, […]
On the trail of Lionardo Buonarroti, and the family palace he renovated in Florence. Lionardo, I have received thy letter and with it the three shirts. I am very much surprised that ye should have sent them … they are so coarse that there is not a farm labourer here who would not be ashamed […]
Emylia Hall is the author of The Thousand Lights Hotel, with the island of Elba as its dramatic backdrop. We talked to her about inspiration and Italian food… Tell us a little about yourself I grew up in the wilds of Devon. After university I lived in London for five years, working in an advertising […]
We talk a lot about what a painting is of, and what it means, but not so much about what is made of, and how it was painted. Often when we are talking about paintings, the materials used to actually make the painting rarely get a mention. However, just like the ingredients of a great […]
Rachael Martin descends from Milan into the Po Valley to discover the home town of her mother-in-law. Lodi, one of those quiet Lombardy towns so easily reached from Milan by car or by train, is often quoted in the Milan newspapers as the perfect day trip for the Milanese. It’s south of Milan in the […]
Spring is an ideal time for visiting Sicily. The town of Cefalù on the northern coast is particularly charming before the temperature soars and the hoards descend. Lorenza Bacino and her family enjoyed the April sunshine exploring this delightful town and the nearby Madonie Regional Park. A few hardy northern European visitors braved the calm, […]
In this instalment of the Appassionata blog, Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs describes a fantastic shopping experience at the Tods outlet in Sant’Elpidio A Mare. Sometimes we just need a little retail therapy to lift our spirits in February, especially when there are sale bargains to be found! I asked my lovely friend if she wanted to hit the […]
The beautiful Villa Rufolo looks over the resort of Ravello – offering one Italy’s very finest coastal views (as you can see!) In the Middle Ages, the Villa Rufolo was one of the grandest houses on the Amalfi coast. Kings stayed here; great poets wrote of it. Today it is famed for its gardens, the […]