A-Z of Florence

This A-Z of Florence will help you on your way if you’re going for a short break or if you’ve been hundreds of times and didn’t know that Florence used to be the capital city of Italy! A-Z Arno The river which snakes its way through central Florence is 241m long and flows from Monte […]

Top Five Galleries

A country with a wealth of artistic wealth of artistic treasures picking the best of Italy’s galleries is no easy task. This month, we highlight some of the peninsula’s unmissable art archives. 1. Gli uffizi Florence Had Florence’s biggest and busiest gallery failed to top the list of Italy’s best galleries, it would have looked […]

Great Italian Films: Under the Tuscan Sun

Under the Tuscan Sun captures the allure of this region, this is what we had to observe about this popular, romantic american comedy… Under the Tuscan Sun  (2003, Florence, Cortona & Positano. Directed by Audrey Wells. Starring Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Lindsay Duncan) Under the Tuscan Sun is the film adaptation of Frances Mayer’s popular autobiographical novel set […]

Viewpoint: The Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio was the setting for these locks of love, symbolising an eternal bond. But young couples didn’t reckon with the might of bolt cutters. The Ponte Vecchio in Florence; an emblem of the great city since 1345. But for a brief period in its illustrious reign it also became the site of a […]

Top Five Romantic Places in Italy

Heralded as one of the most romantic countries in the world, Italy has no end of romantic spots to pick from. So move over Venice, Italia! short lists some strong contenders… 1.Florence It sometimes seems as though Florence’s magnificent architecture and piazze were designed to please enamoured couples. Not only does the city house hundreds […]

Region Guide: Discovering Tuscany

Rolling hills, beautiful coastline and gothic architecture, we discover what more Tuscany has to offer… Tuscany was one of the first destinations to attract large numbers of travellers from the UK – and with very good reason: the region offers a rich combination of culture, historic cities, antiquities, agreeable climate and friendly locals; it encapsulates everything that is beautiful about […]

Homes in Cities

Italian cities get it just about right. They’re usually not too big, they’re always full of beautiful buildings, and they tend to favour pedestrians over motorised traffic. They’re also excellent places in which to buy a property, says Fleur Kinson…   Italy’s famously glorious countryside is rivalled in appeal only by its opposite: the nation’s […]

River Arno

Florence’s River Arno is in tranquil mood as it flows through the arches of the Ponte  Santa Trinità, but these sleek still waters have borne witness to a more tempestuous history… What could be more restful than the River Arno at dusk with Santa Maria del Carmine and the Florence skyline in the background. Rising […]

Bike in Florence

Jason Barrett, Washington, DC “Ciao Italia! magazine! Attached is a photo I took of a bike outside of a building in Florence. Since I’m a fan of watermelon, I couldn’t resist the colors! Hope you like it! Ciao for now! :-)”