Matera is known for its stone-carved architecture and unique cultural heritage, but this isn’t why the town has made the front pages of Italian newspapers in recent times.  After its stint as the European Capital of Culture in 2019, Matera received plenty of national and international attention, especially thanks to its Sassi. Even before that, its...

At the end of September 2024, I accompanied a group of The Perfect Loaf readers through southern Italy’s olive tree and cobblestone-lined streets. Though I’ve been to Italy many times to visit family, it was my first trip as a tourist and a guide of sorts, and if I’m being honest, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Would the conversation flow? Is...

The discovery of a 17,000-year-old skeleton in Grotta delle Mura, near Monopoli in Puglia, offered new insights into the genetic history of early human populations in southern Italy. The child, who died at just 16 months of age, is one of the most significant archaeological finds in recent years, particularly because their genome is the oldest ever...

Puglia offers a sunlit escape in southern Italy, unspoilt by the bustling crowds found elsewhere. Situated in the heel of Italy’s iconic boot shape, this region is an inviting alternative for those longing to bask in the mild autumn climate. Its charming allure lies in its olive groves and pristine beaches and its ability to offer a quieter, more e...

It’s not easy to carry a basilica on your shoulders, but, despite the summer heat, these men aren’t breaking a sweat. Carved into the honey-hued exterior of the Basilica di Santa Croce, the stone figures kneel in a line from one side of the wall to the other, seemingly supporting the upper facade with their bare hands. Above them, the building is s...

Italy, with its 7500 km (4,660 mi) of coastline, practically overflowing with indentations, gulfs and coves, natural landfalls and touristic ports, stands out as a cruise destination, and is one of the primary cruise departure points in Europe. Ever higher numbers of tourists are choosing a cruise as an all-inclusive vacation that combines fun, rel...

As overtourism plagues more destinations each summer. travelers tired of dealing with unwieldy crowds, hard-to-get reservations, and premium hotel prices are increasingly checking out lesser-known spots like the Mugello and Etruscan Coast in Tuscany or the splendid villages of Imperia on the Italian Riviera. Puglia, one of Italy’s most popular dest...

Having the opportunity to purchase a house for the modest sum of 1 euro might seem like a dream, especially when it comes to coastal locations. However, this project, now widespread across Italy, truly offers the chance to live in some of the most picturesque settings of the peninsula, often far from the hustle and bustle of city life and completel...

On the occasion of “2024: Year of Italian Roots in the World,” a rich program of events dedicated to the celebration of Italian traditions, culture and roots will take place in New York. From October 10 to 14, Italea - the program to promote Tourism of Roots, launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation within the PNRR...

For many years, my family and I had wanted to visit this region in southern Italy, but our numerous travels, sometimes thousands of kilometers away, had made it impossible. This year, driven by the fact that Marinella and I hadn’t seen each other for over five years, we decided to take the first direct flight to Brindisi. Final destination: the whi...