The history of San Marino: Stamps, coins, and Abraham Lincoln

Guaita Tower view from san marino

If you’re planning a stay in Rimini, don’t miss a day trip to San Marino, Italy’s closest neighbour and the world’s oldest surviving republic. If you think the Italians are a proud bunch, you haven’t met the Sammarinese. “We’ve not been to a war since the 15th century,” said Maria Sara Forcellini, my tour guide, […]

5 best hot springs in Italy

Montecatini Terme Hot spring in Italy

Relax and recharge in these amazing hot springs to visit in Italy, from pampering sites in Ischia to the healing waters of Fiuggi. 1. Poseidon Thermal Gardens, Ischia Ischia lies in one of Italy’s most volcanic regions: the Bay of Naples in Campania. The hot waters here have been used for treatment since the 8th […]

10 reasons to visit Taranto: Puglia’s ‘City of the Two Seas’

Taranto swing bridge

Looking for things to do in Taranto? Val Nicastro introduces us to the hidden delights of Puglia’s second city… Despite being Puglia’s second-largest city, Taranto often slips under the radar of travellers, overshadowed by its industrial reputation. Yet it is a city rich in beauty and history. Dubbed the ‘City of the Two Seas’, it […]

Top 5 reasons to visit Valle D’Aosta

The Aosta-Pila gondola lift in summer arriving at Pila

From snowy slopes and mountain peaks to ancient ruins and traditional cheese, here’s why a visit to Valle D’Aosta should be on your agenda: 1. Mountain adventures all year round The sloping mountains of the Aosta Valley make for good skiing conditions in the winter, but the same tracks are just as popular for mountain […]

Christmas in Locorotondo: A festive village walk in Puglia

People walking in festive village in Puglia

Joe and Pat Gartman share the festive photos from their Christmas passeggiata in Locorotondo, Puglia. This village walk is perfect for catching some late-season sunshine and early Yuletide joy.  Perhaps you’ve heard of Ostuni, the celebrated “ White City” of Puglia, with its gleaming hilltop presence. Locorotondo, though much smaller, can be considered the “White […]

Winter in the Valle di Gran San Bernardo

costumes at the winter carnival in san bernardo

Experience the magic of winter in the Valle di Gran San Bernardo. Join Rachael Martin at the vibrant Coumba Freida Carnival in the Aosta Valley, and explore the snow-covered slopes of the Great St Bernard Pass. It was carnival time on a cold February morning in the Great St Bernard Valley in northern Italy’s Aosta […]

Silent streets: Exploring the fascinating stories of Italian ghost towns

Civita di Bagnoregio, Italian ghost town

There are hundreds of Italian ghost towns scattered across the country. Jenny Oldaker explores their silent streets and tumultuous stories, and discovers the initiatives giving some of them a new lease of life. Think about Italy’s history and what comes to mind? The rip-roaring reign of the dynamic Ancient Romans? The cultural and artistic innovations […]