Mary Novakovich and friends enjoy a long-awaited reunion – and where better to do it than Tuscany? Better late than never. Covid had put the kibosh on so many celebrations during lockdown, but there was no way my friend Tracey wasn’t going to make a big splash for her 50th birthday – even if it […]
A travel guide to the Italian region of Tuscany… Tuscany remains the most popular of Italian regions and is loved by tourists and would-be property buyers for many reasons, not least because of its beautiful countryside and cities laden with Renaissance treasures and historic monuments. But while property prices remain high, the allure does not […]
Cambridge-based Judith and Michael Portman bought a one-bedroom flat in Florence in 2015. They spend three weeks there every summer and two weeks at Christmas. The rest of the year they rent the flat to international students – often visiting students who are just spending one academic year in the city. What drew them […]
Dreamily perfect countryside and gem-like cities stuffed with art make Tuscany a perennial favourite for visitors and homebuyers in Italy. Properties here make a rock-solid investment, says Fleur Kinson At a glance… The Region: When we think of Tuscany we think of verdant rolling hills dotted with centuries-old farmhouses radiating late afternoon sunshine – much […]
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 history for those History Buffs out there from all the destinations that our friends Travel Department offer. Before we start… […]
There’s a summery feel to this new issue of Italia!, which is packed with vibrant features, photography and reviews to inform and inspire your virtual travels. We begin in Fiesole, a short bus ride away from Florence and well worth a visit. There’s our travel guide to Gavi in Piedmont – renowned for its wines, […]
Dawn breaks over Tuscan countryside… mist-shrouded valleys gently yield views of their ripening vineyards and fertile terraces, and nary a dog dares to bark… Photo by Getty Images Tuscany has long held an appeal for dreamers seeking a happier life, particularly those from Great Britain. The poet Shelley was an early adopter, as was the […]
This fine example of Romanesque architecture is largely ignored, thanks to a mistake that occurred in its grounds… Photo by Getty Images Ask anyone what they know about Pisa and they’ll mention its Leaning Tower, the freestanding campanile of the city’s Cathedral, on which construction began (on dodgy ground) nearly a century after the Cathedral […]
From Chianti Classico to Rosso di Montalcino, we explore some well-priced Tuscan red wines from prestigious smaller producers that punch well above their weight Tuscany is the heartland of the Sangiovese grape, the name of which derives from Sanguis Jovis, ‘the blood of Jupiter’. Thought to be an indigenous vine cultivated by the Etruscans, it […]
Tuscany isn’t all about sipping wine and watching the sun set, as Amy McPherson discovers on an e-bike tour around Monte Amiata, in the region’s south Photos by Ciclica Foto, Mario Llorca Giant moss-covered boulders rise in vertical stacks, as if someone was attempting to build a replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It […]