Now open for all, these impressive country villas and gardens were de rigueur for any self respecting Italian dynasty like the Florentine Medicis. The wealth and influence of the Medici family arose from their ownership of the prosperous Medici bank, and they amassed an impressive portfolio of rural country palaces, clustered around Florence and throughout […]
Find some of the best places to stay, visit or eat while staying around Fiesole with Freya Middleton’s guide to the highlights of the area… Images by Freya Middleton unless otherwise stated What to see and do Estate Fieosolana Via Portigiani 1, Fiesole An annual theatre and music festival usually takes place at the Roman […]
Fiesole offers a day away from the bustle of Florence and is well worth exploring when you get there, writes Florence tour guide Freya Middleton. Images by Freya Middleton Going to Fiesole is something I have always loved, and I’m not alone. The place has been continuously inhabited and constantly visited by foreigners since the […]
Jane Keightley visits the famous Umbrian hill town to see the sights, enjoy the food and find out more about the saint whose values are woven into the life of Italians nationwide… Photos by Jane Keightley. As the last tourist buses roll out of town, the whole atmosphere of Assisi changes. With five million visitors […]
The year 2020 will be remembered for a number of reasons which determined a fundamental change in the fabric of our society, but for many individuals of Italian descent it will also be remembered as the year that opened the door to realising their dream of becoming an Italian citizen. Although Italy passed a law […]
There’s a summery feel to this new issue of Italia!, which is packed with vibrant features, photography and reviews to inform and inspire your virtual travels. We begin in Fiesole, a short bus ride away from Florence and well worth a visit. There’s our travel guide to Gavi in Piedmont – renowned for its wines, […]
We have one Friends’ subscription (worth £149) and eight virtual experiences (worth at least £80) to give away, thanks to our friends at Art History in Focus! Art History in Focus’s pioneering Cultural Travels from Home allow you to travel virtually and enjoy live, interactive guided tours of museums and heritage sites around the world, while members of Art History in […]
The new issue of Italia! magazine is packed with vibrant features to inspire your armchair travels and your plans for the future. Take the scenic route this issue with a leisurely spring road trip from Sorrento to Salerno via the picturesque coastal highway, then delve deep into the waters that surround the coast, with a […]
Located between Milan and Lake Garda, Brescia is often overlooked by the more cursory travel journals. Valentina Nicastro gives us ten good reasons to visit the ‘Lioness of Italy’… Photos by Valentina Nicastro unless otherwise stated DISCOVER ITALIA! Beautiful Brescia is one of those unsung Italian cities that promises an unforgettable experience to travellers who […]
Head to Tuscany’s beautiful south and relax in style at L’Andana Resort, an historic and welcoming Medici villa overlooking the tranquil Maremma landscape. Image © L’Andana Under expansive, ever-changing skies, the Maremma in southern Tuscany is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. From its woodlands and wide plains, where the butteri (cowboys) still drive […]