La Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte climbs to the church of St Mary of the Mount in Caltagirone, Sicily The Church of Saint Mary of the Mount in Caltagirone dates back to the 12th-century; its staircase is early 17th-century; but the majolica tiles that have made the staircase famous today were only placed […]
Planning a trip off the beaten track in Italy? Set your compass for one of these secret islands – perfect destinations to discover tranquility and beauty away from the bustle of the Italian mainland… Ponza Isola di Ponza is the largest of the six Italian Pontine Islands, sitting off the Lazio coast in the Tyrrhenian […]
Jane Keightley brings us six highlights of this magical Tuscan city… the things not to be missed when you visit Siena… Photos by iStock Piazza del Campo The shell-shaped piazza that is the centre of Siena was completed in 1340 and all manner of activities have taken place here, including boxing matches, bullfights and even […]
Having failed on previous occasions to see the actual races, Jane Keightley finally experiences all the pride and pageantry of Palio week in Siena… Photos by Jane Keightley This was far from the first time I had visited Siena, but never before had I actually been there to experience the Palio. On one occasion I […]
Little visited by British tourists, the province of Pescara in Abruzzo remains an area that’s not on the usual tourist trail, but it’s a part of Italy that’s well worth exploring, as Lorenza Bacino explains… The province of Pescara surrounds the city of the same name and lies in the very centre of the region of […]
Lorenza Bacino takes a tour of this seaside town and the surrounding province, and discovers pretty villages, abbeys, churches, museums, and plenty of wonderful places to eat Photos by Lorenza Bacino unless otherwise stated 1. The view from above For the more adventurous, a scenic tour of the coastline and mountains from above could be […]
Amanda Robinson travels to northeastern Italy to visit Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa, a five-star hotel on the Lido di Jesolo that’s redefining the beach holiday for the 21st century Photos by Amanda Robinson and Almar Jesolo Resort We flew in to Venice’s Marco Polo airport leaving behind the chilly doldrums of London’s feeble foray […]
You can go and see the Trevi Fountain for free, it’s just there, but it will cost you money if you ever want to see it again… Words and image by Jon Palmer There are actually lots of things you can do for free in Rome – especially if you happen to be around on […]
Sicily has countless charms to tempt visitors, and here Francesca Unsworth visits the island’s second largest city to discover why it is a food-lover’s paradise Catania and I didn’t get off to the greatest start. “Take a hike,” was the censored version of […]
If you love opera, where better to hear it than in Tuscany? All summer long, you can enjoy beautiful music in lovely Tuscan locales. From great accommodation to top spots for food and drink, Adrian Mourby’s guide is your perfect travel companion Photos by Kate Tadman-Mourby Where to stay Nido D’Amore Butterfly Hotel The Love Nest […]