Mantua was once considered an island with power to rival that of Venice. Adrian Mourby experiences the mystery and elegance of the city today… Through the early morning mist, as my boat crossed the still waters of Lago Inferiore, Mantua’s towers and domes rose like a fairytale kingdom. In the days when the Gonzaga family controlled […]
The city of Bologna – la Grassa – is just as famous for its food and culture as it is for its ancient university. Heather Crombie samples its delights… Bologna is different things to different people, a city of many names reflecting the many facets of its personality. To the academics it is the ‘learned […]
Did Heather Crombie’s 48 Hours in Bologna inspire you to book your next trip? Here’s our top tips on where to stay, where to eat and what to see and do. WHAT TO SEE AND DO ➤ The Two Towers For fantastic views of the city, climb to the top of the Asinelli and see how many […]
Getting to know Venice is that much easier when your guide is a Venetian. Sara Scarpa takes us on a tour of the city she calls home… Most of my friends have already been to Venice at least once so when they come to visit me I show them the side of town that I […]
With the help of trusted local residents, Sebastian Cresswell-Turner discovers that there’s more to Sardinia than the North Sardinia coast… Whether it is laziness, the passing of the years, or perhaps the late onset of common sense, I don’t know, but whenever I go somewhere new, I like, nowadays, to place myself firmly in the […]
“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 […]
Feeling inspired to book a trip to Cagliari this summer, after reading 48 Hours in Cagliari? Here’s our top tips on where to stay, where to eat and what to see and do. INFORMATION ➤ Meridiana (0871 222 9319, www.meridiana.it) offers direct flights from London Gatwick to Cagliari, outward on Saturdays and returning on Thursdays, from £178.45. […]
Cocoa and chocolate have influenced the culture and of Piedmont for over 300 years and café society flourished here around the time of Italy’s unification. Catherine Sidwell explains why Turin is known as the chocolate capital of Italy. She shares her experiences of some of the historic cafés, chocolate shops, gelaterie and the festival ‘CioccolaTO’… The […]
Following our article on Turin for Chocolate lovers, here’s a list of must-visit cafés to experience the very best chocolates in Turin! INFORMATION ➤ Turin Tourist Office For information on and opening times of cafés and shops, seasonal city walking tours and chocolate factory visits. www.turismotorino.org ➤ Palazzo Madama www.palazzomadamatorino.it (Closed on Mondays.) ➤ CioccolaTO www.cioccola-to.it TURIN’S […]
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 – […]