“And suddenly there is Cagliari,“ wrote DH Lawrence. “A naked town rising steep, steep, golden-looking, piled naked to the sky.” Adrian Mourby explores this ancient Sardinian city… You have to choose your angle these days to see the Sardinian capital as Lawrence did in 1921, but the Aragonese fortress (known as Castello) still towers over […]
Chris Allsop attends the Sound of the Dolomites festival for world-class music in a breath-taking natural setting, and then discovers the unspoiled gem known as ‘Little Venice’… The hills are alive with the sound of music. Except this is northeast Italy, not Austria, and it might be a tad rude – if not inaccurate – […]
Marina Spironetti visits the intriguing city state of Seborga in western Liguria. Fiercely independent, it still boasts its own currency, its own passport and, yes, its own prince… Small countries have always fascinated me. From Andorra to Liechtenstein, from Monaco to San Marino – tiny states with their own history, proud to be different. I […]
They have been farming the salt flats of Sicily since long before the Romans arrived on the island and they still are – the tourist industry here, you see, is not the most buoyant in Italy… Few tourists venture to the far west of Sicily. Even those travellers intrepid enough to leave the north coast […]
A romantic stay for two, or a friendly welcome for the solo traveller… Here’s our pick of the best Italian Hotels & B&Bs for those planning a quick jaunt to Italy… RELAIS SAN PIETRO This family-run establishment is set in an 18th-century converted hamlet in the Tuscan hills and is pure paradise for those seeking […]
The unique climates of Sicily and Sardinia make for wines that are quite unlike those from mainland Italy. Paul Pettengale samples a selection of Italian Island white wines… My first experience of a white wine from one of the Italian islands was while sat (really) on the dock of a bay with my wife (then girlfriend) […]
Looking to explore Ascoli Piceno? Here’s all the top tips from where to dine, where to stay and what to see and do! WHAT TO SEE AND DO ➤ Pinoteca Civica Piazza Arringo The Pinoteca Civica, Ascoli Piceno’s principal art gallery, is housed in the grand Palazzo Arringo and has more than 800 works of […]
The delight of eating at a local trattoria is being among real Italians and eating seasonal, traditional food. Mario Matassa shares his favourite establishment with us, and goes behind the scenes of this Italian Restaurant… The local trattoria in Italy is a theatre, a daily stage show where hundreds of life’s mini dramas are eagerly […]
Marina Spironetti explores the most beautiful seaside locations in eastern Liguria, while learning how to become an old salt… How do you say lupo di mare?” “Hmm… salty sea dog,” Kate answered. “Oh well, I think I am more of an unsalted land bear.” “So am I,” exclaimed my friend Silvana. Aside from a few […]
Planning a trip to Sorrento? Here’s all the top tips from where to dine, where to stay and the cost of swimming! Things you’ll find it hard to do in Sorrento ➤ Swim The sea is all around you, and looks fabulous sparkling in the sun. But it’s not easy to get to the water […]