The Best Time to Visit Costa Smeralda Is at the Very End of the Season
I’ll admit that when I first started planning my recent trip to Sardinia, I didn’t have a grasp on how big the island really is. I thought I could stay in the north and make day trips to the south, and vice versa. But after booking accommodations in Costa Smeralda and plugging Cagliari — Sardinia’s capital city — into Google Maps, I realized that t...
The Ancient Snacks Served At The Roman Colosseum
The next time you grab a snack at a sports event, take a moment to think about our ancient Roman counterparts. Ancient Romans who attended games at the Colosseum (also known as the Flavian Amphitheater) enjoyed munching on fruit and other snacks while they watched gladiators and wild beasts fight. It turns out that those peanuts and hot dogs you pi...
Lake Como or Lake Garda: Which One Fits Your Travel Style?
Lake Como or Lake Garda? It’s as timeless an Italian conundrum as thick crust or thin? Aperol or Campari? The scenery alone draws travelers to these two mythic lakes in northern Italy, both defined by majestic mountains and colorful waterside villages that drip with dreamy dolce vita. So just how do you choose between the two? “It’s important to de...
Umbria Fashion weekend reinforces ties between Seattle and Perugia
Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is a medieval gem of a hill town. Known for its excellent universities, rich architectural history and Umbria Jazz, one of the great music festivals of Europe, it’s also nurtured a vibrant sister-city relationship with Seattle for more than three decades. There’s another area where Perugia shines: as a center of fash...
A Mosaic of Cultures: The Portrait of an Unknown Sailor in the Harbor of Cefalù
Every summer, when I return to my parents’ home in Sicily, I make it a point to spend at least one day in Cefalù, a small village on the northern coast of the island. Originally a Greek settlement, Cefalù was later under Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman rule, each leaving its peculiar cultural mark on it. Over the twentieth century, then, the vil...
Where to See the Works of Michelangelo in Rome: Your Complete Guide
Florence might have Michelangelo's David, but the Eternal City is home to several of his most notable works. I can't wait to share this brief history of Michelangelo in Rome and where to find his art in the city. Discovering Michelangelo in Rome - Everything you need to knowMany people know Michelangelo as a Renaissance artist and Florence as the m...
Why Caciocavallo Impiccato Is a Must-Try for Cheese Lovers
Caciocavallo Impiccato, or "hanged cheese," is a traditional way of serving the famous Caciocavallo cheese that turns a simple dairy product into a delicious, melted treat. With roots in southern Italy, this method combines culinary flair with rich, gooey flavours, making it a must-try for cheese lovers. The Origins of Caciocavallo ImpiccatoCacioca...
Florence, Italy's Most Enchanting Garden Is A Vibrant Rose Paradise With Sweeping City Views
Florence, arguably the most walkable city in the world, is synonymous with art and science. So, it's no wonder that some of the top tourist attractions in Florence are not only a testament to its artists and architects, but some of the best places to truly appreciate the city of Florence is its gardens. After all, some of the city's most famous res...
The Baths of Diocletian: Rome’s Architectural Marvel
Hidden among iconic landmarks of Rome, such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, or the Pantheon, lies one of ancient Rome’s most impressive architectural marvels—the Baths of Diocletian. Once the largest imperial bath complex in the Roman Empire, the Baths of Diocletian are now an exceptional place to explore both ancient history and art, and they offe...
Restoring Milan's Duomo, one statue at a time
In a workshop in the Milan suburbs, sculptor Giovanni Calderino completes his latest project -- a battered statue from the top of the Italian city's gothic cathedral, and its gleaming white replacement. Depicting a bearded man wearing a tunic, the marble statue has adorned one of the Duomo's 135 spires for two centuries. But decades of harsh weathe...
Why I’m documenting my nonna’s recipes – and the history behind them
Every year, one month before the holidays, my mom and my grandmother would start planning. The two of them hosted Christmas: One would take Christmas Eve, the other Christmas Day. My mom would start by writing out a work-back schedule, scribbled notes peeking out of cookbooks that included ideas for specialty cocktails and cookies. She excelled at...
Olive oil journey in Puglia
This tour, in which Gambero Rosso has accompanied the most important consortium in the Italian olive oil sector, has featured dinners and tastings in search of the perfect pairings, alongside events and seminars that have introduced the general public to the excellence of Puglia’s “green gold.” The last leg of this journey took place from 11 to 15...