Nora Archaeological Park

Nora and tower Sardinia

Mary Novakovich shares her experience of this important and beautiful archaeological site in southwest Sardinia… Photos by Adam Batterbee   Founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC and then ruled from Carthage, Nora became Sardinia’s principal city when the Romans took over in 238BC. Nora’s precarious position on a spit of land made […]

Sardinia’s song of the south

Beach at Sa Pinetta Sardinia

Many people seek the northernmost reaches of Sardinia for their holidays. Mary Novakovich headed the other way – southwest of Cagliari – to a corner of the island where the pace of life is slower Photos by Adam Batterbee   The name of the house was a good omen. Casetta Maria – Mary’s Little House […]

Tuscan September: a trip to Maremma

Swimming pool Cala del Porto Tuscany Italy

With no children in tow, Jon Bickley and his wife headed off to southern Tuscany for a tranquil luxury break at Punta Ala in the beautiful Maremma area Photos by Baglioni Hotels unless otherwise stated   September, and summer is officially over. Prices near enough halve, children disappear and the Italian tourist trade begins to […]

Food for thought: a tasty tour of Puglia

Puglia picnic with altamura bread

Mark Nicholls follows the culinary contours of Puglia on a walking – and eating – tour around this unique region of southern Italy Words and photos by Mark Nicholls The darkened inner walls of the baker’s oven begin to glow as the fire takes hold. With a long-handled tool, the baker loads the creamy-coloured dough […]

Past Italia: Arezzo Cathedral

Arezzo Cathedral, Tuscany, Italy

The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donatus in Arezzo, Tuscany, boasts a long history and some eye-catching architecture La Cattedrale dei Santi Pietro e Donato is the city cathedral of Arezzo, Tuscany. The façade is a 20th-century reconstruction, and the clock tower was added then too, but the rest of the church was built between the […]

Insider’s Rome: The Capitoline Museums

Constantine Capitoline Museums Rome Italy

If it’s ancient statues you want, this is the place to be, but don’t ignore the works on the piazza outside the museum either… Words & image by Jon Palmer Recognised as the world’s first public museum (though that really depends on what you mean by ‘museum’, what you mean by ‘public’, and what you […]

Friuli travel guide

Piazza della Liberta, Udine, Italy

The long-titled but little-visited region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia plenty to offer Italy fans who’ve seen many the country’s most famous sights and are seeking somewhere wonderful off the main tourist trail… By Christine Smallwood. Photos by iStock   The cities of Trieste and Udine are on the radar of some people – the former is […]

10 reasons why you need to visit Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Collio zone Friuli-Venezia-Giulia

The region’s name is a mouthful, and it’s often omitted from tourist itineraries, but Christine Smallwood reveals why Friuli-Venezia Giulia should be the next stop on your Italian itinerary… Photos by Christine Smallwood unless otherwise stated 1. Trieste Trieste is the elegant capital of the region, yet is curiously less visited by foreigners than it […]

A good read: 7 great Italian book fairs and festivals

For lovers of Italian language, literature and culture, Lorenza Bacino offers a round-up of some of the nation’s lesser-known book fairs and literary festivals 1. CaLibro Festival, Città di Castello “We share a passion for books,” says Andrea Tafini, one of the organisers of the CaLibro Festival in Città di Castello, Perugia. His small group […]

Light up the Sky: Il Redentore Festival

Venice Redentore Festival

Despite its origins in a terrible period of Venetian history, Il Redentore is a spectacular celebration that takes place in the city each July Words by Sara Scarpa. Images by Iain Reid  Most years, on the afternoon of the third Saturday of July, my friends and I prepare for a fantastic event. We set up […]