
An at-a-glance guide to Florence in Winter
Winter is a great time to visit Florence, and you will see the city in a new light – though if it does happen to snow while you’re there, you’ve been very lucky! You might not find an excuse to stop for a More...

48 Hours in Varese
Val Nicastro visits the “Garden City” north of Milan that is, among other things, home to a palace that one Italian poet described as “Little Versailles” With an enchanting old town, unmatched natural beauty More...

Beekeeping in a Tuscan retreat
Amy McPherson takes a tour of the apiary of Borgo Pignano and finds a heaven not only for the guests enjoying the luxury surrounds of this Tuscan retreat, but also a sustainable paradise for the estate’s bees More...

An Italian Christmas with Mario Matassa
We go behind the scenes of an Italian Christmas with Mario Matassa as he explores the rich and austere festive food and traditions of Italy… Emilia-Romagna©GettyImages To describe a celebration of food as More...

Discover Assisi
The birthplace of the Catholic friar St Francis remains a globally important site of Christian pilgrimage © iStock Assisi stands atop Mount Asio and is flanked by swathes of Umbria’s undulating green pasture More...

Live like a film star on the shores of Lake Como
Discover Lake Como and you’ll see why Michelle Jackson, The Novel Traveller, felt like a celebrity when exploring one of the most popular destinations in Italy with Travel Department. Before we start… Now More...

Sicily? A holiday you can’t refuse
Are you tempted to visit Sicily? Michelle Jackson, The Novel Traveller and friend of Travel Department, shares her highlights of this wonderful part of Italy. Before we start… Now that Covid vaccinations More...

Discover San Gimignano, Tuscany
Discover the historical centre of San Gimignano and how its downfall became its architectural saviour. Image © iStock Midway between Siena and Florence stand the towers of San Gimignano, no modern city skyline More...

Visit Tuscany: the heart of authentic Italy!
Michelle Jackson, The Novel Traveller, visited Italy’s most iconic region and discovered the highlights of Tuscany. Before we start… Now that Covid vaccinations are progressing well the world is slowly More...

Ciao Italia! – Travel Department’s favourite snippets of Italian history
Few countries in the world have such a variable, diverse and colourful history as Italy. Every time we visit, we learn new facts about Italy’s wonderful past. We’ve put together 10 Interesting Facts about Italian More...