For the first time you can explore the Colosseum at night

The Colosseum, Rome

Say hello to the late-night tour at the Colosseum Following a major restoration, the Colosseum in Rome more polished than it’s been in 2,000 years and now visitors can be taken through the ancient arena and underground at night! You can wander around the 50,000-seat gladiatorial arena, which dates back to the year 80. This used to be […]

A Grand Tour of Puglia

The expression ‘Grand Tour’ was coined by Richard Lassels, a 17th-century Roman Catholic priest and travelling tutor, in his book The Voyage of Italy, Or a Compleat Journey Through Italy. Lassels included many northern Italian towns and central locations, but the remarkable region of Puglia does not get a mention. Perhaps lost to him were […]

Top 5 Great Lakes

Italy is blessed with several spectacular lakes that are beloved worldwide. So many lovely destinations to choose from – which is the best? Italia! picks five favourites… Lake Maggiore Piedmont & Lombardy Peeking into Switzerland and bridging the Lombardy-Piedmont border, Lake Maggiore is one of Italy’s beloved northern lakes. Traditionally the uglier sister of Como, but […]

On the wire – Italy’s highest and fastest zip wire

High in the mountains of Basilicata, the world’s highest and fastest zip wire gives fearless travellers the ride of their lives. Fleur Kinson straps on a helmet and prepares to launch… Forget lazing by the pool reading the latest blockbuster novels, or nosing round museums, strolling the seafront or relaxing at sunny cafés. Surely there’s […]

Matteo Renzi visits the Alessi Factory

Italian Prime Minister, visited the Alessi factory - Italy Travel and Life

The Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, visited the Alessi factory in Omegna just over a week ago and praised Italy’s prime design production. Adapted from Alessi While travelling through Piedmont to experience the region’s productivity first-hand, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi paid a visit to Alessi’s facilities at Crusinallo. He was welcomed into the Headquarters, near Lake Orta by […]

Lakes and mountains

Italy’s northern lakes and the mountains that surround them are recognized as one of Europe’s most beautiful regions. Start planning your stay for 2016… Private Italy Tours Discover the real Northern Italy Our Lake Region and Northern Italy small group tour provides you with the opportunity to encounter the romantic soul of Italy. From a […]

Dizzy on the Fizzy – The Prosecco Story

Think Prosecco and you may think of Bellinis and Spritzers, but there is so much more to the wine than that, as its producers are keen to point out. Kevin Pilley treads the Prosecco Road in Italy’s far northeast…   One for the shade,” said Francesco, handing me an ombra of fizzy San Giuseppe Superiore […]

Whispers in Ferrera

Joe Gartman reveals the ghosts of the past in Ferrera, a city where long-gone rulers and clergymen left unfinished business… Ghosts don’t exist, I am inclined to believe, but the atmosphere of Ferrara is distinctly eerie. Maybe it’s the mist floating in from the Po Delta, to east of the city, where the great river […]

Crateri Silvestri

If you’re looking for panoramic views of Etna’s landscape and would like to visit the window ‘kissed by lava’, then you might find yourself heading for the Crateri Silvestri – the Silvestri Craters… The Crateri Silvestri of Mount Etna were created by the volcanic eruption of 1892 and are, compared to the 459 square-mile volcano, […]

Walking to Rome

The Path of St Francis is a walking trail inspired by the life of St Francis of Assisi that takes you from the north of Tuscany, down through Umbria and into Lazio. Lysa Walder starts at the top, then continues all the way on to Rome… Walking along the Via Francigena from Valle d’Aosta to […]