Hundreds of fascinating, historic castles decorate the Italian landscape from the tip to the top of the peninsula. We’ve chosen five of our favourites… Castel del Monte Bari, Puglia Emperor Frederick II built this immaculately planned castle near Bari in the 13th century. A masterpiece of architectural achievement, the castle’s octagonal theme is intrinsic to […]
Heading for the coast in Italy this summer? Go in style to the beach with these (vaguely) rock’n’roll-related accessories! 1. Cut across Shorty Never mind being on the beach – how about having the beach on you? These eye-catching Orlebar Brown swim shorts for men give you the opportunity to do just that, emblazoned as they […]
Thinking of renting a holiday home? Or buying one to rent? Villa in Umbria Umbria, also called the ‘Green Heart of Italy’, is the landlocked region next to Tuscany, a popular holiday destination. Rolling hills with vineyards and olive trees, the fourth largest lake in Italy and a serious mountain range combine to make for […]
It can be hard to find a gift that throws into the mix a bit of luxury, perhaps a touch of style and something that’s an all round treat. Italia! have investigated all the options and here is the top list, hopefully this will make it a lot easier to choose something perfect for everyone… For Her Spread Eat Repeat Giandiuso […]
They were originally constructed as temporary field shelters, and then affordable village housing – yet nowadays they can command quite a price… The trulli were first built by farmers and shepherds working in the Itria Valley, and would often be dismantled and reconstructed elsewhere as the patterns of agriculture shifted across the land. Then they […]
Relocating to Italy is the dream of many people, but in order to make that dream a reality you will need expert advice and consultancy on a range of issues… Business Setting up a business in Italy Setting yourself up in business in Italy is not quite as simple as it is in the UK. […]
Throughout the past year we sampled Italian products you can buy in the UK in our Buy Italia! feature and brought you our recommendations. Now we can tell you what our favourites have been. And here they are, at the… Now that we’ve got the old year properly packed off to bed and tucked up nicely, […]
Matera stands in for the Jerusalem of 2,000 years ago in this graphic depiction of the death of Jesus Christ… (2004, Matera. Directed by Mel Gibson. Starring Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci) Mel Gibson directed this highly controversial film that graphically traces the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life leading up to his Crucifixion. It has […]
With such a vast coastline Italy has plenty of beautiful, small islands dotted around its shores. Italia! selects five of the best diminutive destinations. Isola D’elba, Tuscany Tuscany’s Elba was once home to Napoleon during his period of exile in 1814. It’s now hard to imagine how such an imposition could be deemed a punishment, […]
Chris Allsop last visited Tuscany as a young boy. Thirty years later he decided to go back… The last time I was in Tuscany, I mostly chased pigeons. I was six, on a family holiday, and the astounding art heritage of Florence was no match for the challenge of putting the wind up every pigeon […]