Verona’s spectacular ancient Roman amphitheatre is an unforgettable place to enjoy grand opera beneath the starry summer sky. Fleur Kinson is dazzled by the magic atmosphere and the vocal fireworks as she attends the Verona Amphitheatre Opera… Sweat, fear, noise, blood and anguish. Not much has changed in Verona’s giant amphitheatre over the last 2,000 […]
An impeccably dressed Amanda Robinson steps back in time and discovers the art of elegant travel as she takes a trip on the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express… Let’s face it, most people’s main imperative for the daily train commute is more about getting to the office without delay or complication, to get the day started with […]
Planning a trip to Sorrento? Here’s all the top tips from where to dine, where to stay and the cost of swimming! Things you’ll find it hard to do in Sorrento ➤ Swim The sea is all around you, and looks fabulous sparkling in the sun. But it’s not easy to get to the water […]
Off the beaten track, and yet still within striking distance of Bari airport, Conversano’s relaxed atmosphere offers a peaceful and easy break. Jane Gifford flies down to Puglia… It’s early evening in the centro storico, the historical centre of the ancient little walled town of Conversano in the Bari district of Puglia. The town is […]
Following an amazing 48 Hours in Conversano, Jane Gifford has put together the best things to see and do, where to stay and where to eat, to make your stay perfect! GETTING THERE ➤ BY PLANE Bari airport is only about 40km from Conversano. ➤ BY TRAIN From the airport, take the shuttle train to […]
Marina Spironetti has made her home in Italy’s second city and reveals her insider secrets to help you make the most of a weekend visit When I made the well-thought out decision of moving back to Milan after 12 years living between London and Paris, a dear friend gave me a guidebook as a present. […]
In 1659, the Medici family, now well and truly the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, sold their 1400s Renaissance home in Florence, where they had lived when they were bankers and the unofficial rulers of the Florentine Republic, to the Riccardi family. Understandably, the new owners immediately renovated. Possibly their most spectacular addition to the palazzo […]
Some 20km around and up to 2km deep in places, the Sacca di Scardovari is one of the wildest areas in the Po Delta and is home to the rare spring snowflake (Leucojum Vernum) flower. You will also see herons, and long-legged buzzards in the cooler months. The Sacca di Scardovari is also well known […]
As she heads to Tuscany to learn about the traditional olive harvest, Rachel Beckwith uncovers the simple pleasures of rural Italian life and, once she gets a taste for it, is fully converted… I arrived at La Vialla in October, the Tuscan sun a little shy behind the clouds, ready and willing to help with […]
Stuart Haines has long had a passion for exploring the Italian countryside on foot, and has written the Cicerone guidebook Walking in Abruzzo to share his experiences… What was your first experience of Italy? It was as a geology student, searching the Alps above Domodossola for the elusive and beautiful mineral, kyanite. It was September […]