Great Italian Films: Under the Tuscan Sun

Under the Tuscan Sun captures the allure of this region, this is what we had to observe about this popular, romantic american comedy… Under the Tuscan Sun  (2003, Florence, Cortona & Positano. Directed by Audrey Wells. Starring Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan) Under the Tuscan Sun is the film adaptation of Frances Mayer’s popular autobiographical novel set […]

Past Italia – Ravenna

Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, Italia! discovers one of the many reasons to visit Emilia-Romagna’s artistically rich city Ravenna, which boasts eight UNESCO world heritage sites. Of the many attractions that draw visitors to Emilia-Romagna’s Ravenna, the over-whelming Byzantine heritage is among the most alluring. Ravenna was the capital of the Western […]

The Passion of the Christ, Location: Matera

Matera stands in for the Jerusalem of 2,000 years ago in this graphic depiction of the death of Jesus Christ… (2004, Matera. Directed by Mel Gibson. Starring Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci) Mel Gibson directed this highly controversial film that graphically traces the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life leading up to his Crucifixion. It has […]

Viewpoint: Underwater Caves

Beneath Sardinia’s beautiful surface exists a world ripe for discovery. Underwater caves and strange creatures await those who dare to dive. The beauty of Sardinia’s landscape is much documented, but there’s a whole other side to this paradise in the Mediterranean. Deep underwater lurks a very different sort of holidaymaker to the typical beach-dwelling tourist. […]

2016 Italia! Travel Awards

Welcome all to the inaugural Italia! Travel Awards – our team selects the very best places to visit, museums to view, beaches to relax on and much more. Discover the best of Italy right here… Every month we bring you the experience of Italy, with all the best places to go and all the best things to […]

Great Italian Films: Il Postino

Who could forget the image of Mario ascending the dusty roads of the wild, but picturesque, little island on his vintage bicycle? This is our fifth review of Great Italian films… Il Postino (1994, Procida & Salina islands. Directed by Michael Radford. Starring Philippe Noiret, Massimo Troisi) This Oscar-winning film – adapted from the novel […]

Mille Miglia

One thousand miles of open-road racing launched some of the greatest car manufacturers in the world. Italia! explores the turbulent history of the legendary car race The legend of the Mille Miglia is remembered to this day, but what lead to the demise of the great thousand mile car race? In 1927, the race was […]

Viewpoint: The Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio was the setting for these locks of love, symbolising an eternal bond. But young couples didn’t reckon with the might of bolt cutters. The Ponte Vecchio in Florence; an emblem of the great city since 1345. But for a brief period in its illustrious reign it also became the site of a […]

Top Five Carnivals

Most months consist of some kind of festival in Italy – some celebrations more peculiar than others. Italia! discovers some of the weird, but mostly wonderful carnivals.   1. Carnevale di Venezia Venice’s internationally famed carnival attracts thousands of visitors every year. When you consider the scale of the event and number of passionate participants, it is […]

Great Italian Films: Don’t Look Now

This is No.3 in a series of eight of the most memorable starring roles, up next is the cult classic ‘Don’t Look Now’ featuring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie   Don’t Look Now (1973, Venice, directed by Nicholas Roeg. Starring: Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie) Daphne du Maurier’s dark novels have inspired a number of spine-chilling yet highly-acclaimed film […]