Close

Nestled along the picturesque coastline of Tuscany lies the charming seaside town of Viareggio. Situated in the province of Lucca, this Italian gem boasts a rich history and stunning architecture. But perhaps most notably, it is the pristine beaches in Viareggio that attract visitors from around the globe. Known as one of the premier tourist destin...

114

The Amalfi Coast has been chosen as the backdrop for some of the most famous films of all time. From 'Journey to Italy', starring the wonderful Ingrid Bergman, to 'Mr and Mrs Smith', starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, the list is long and spans different eras and film genres. Accomplice the Hollywood echo, combined with the actual beauty of the...

95

To prepare for a trip, many people buy destination guides to create their own roadmap and not miss the most beautiful things to see and do. Some travellers, however, prefer to read books set in the place they are going to visit, because the stories not only describe magnificent places, but also the emotions they arouse. If you belong to this catego...

101

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Naples 1598 - Rome 1680) is the leading figure of seventeenth-century European Baroque figurative culture. In his artistic career he distinguished himself among Roman artists, earning a prestigious reputation with the popes and leading figures of his time. As a great interpreter of the culture of the period, Bernini was able t...

93

Famed for its blue seas, breathtaking views and cove-studded coastline, the Mediterranean island of Capri has been a tourist haven since the early years of the Roman empire. Unlike in the imperial heyday, when emperors made it their exclusive playground, Capri now attracts visitors from around the world, clogging its narrow alleys, packing the piaz...

137

A house purchase is often one of the trickiest life experiences to negotiate, requiring huge deliberations on location before spending weeks searching for the right property. Finding somewhere in another country is even more fraught with difficult decisions. Unless, of course, you’re Paul Millet. In which case, you land in Italy for the first time,...

141

Venice is a city that has fascinated many for centuries, a city completely man made, transformed into one of the most beautiful in Italy. Visitors come to wonder at the beautiful architecture and churches, to delight in a little spritz and cicchetti, to gaze at the stunning views over the Adriatic and perhaps take part in a tour of Venice to see th...

89

Orvieto is a charming town located in the Umbria region of central Italy, built atop a volcanic tuff cliff overlooking the countryside. Its strategic position along the ancient Via Cassia, one of the main roads of the Roman Empire, made it a significant cultural and historical hub for centuries. Orvieto‘s roots can be traced back to Etruscan times,...

149

When winter’s chill was thawed by the blossoming of spring, our family would set off for the long drive from the Oxfordshire downs to our holiday house in Le Marche, central Italy. Cruising through the arable heartlands of Europe, my heart would skip a beat as we neared the totemic slate gradients of the Italian Alps. Snaking over the Brenner Pass,...

126

Neat rows of vines cascade down the slope in front of the large swimming pool where my two daughters are splashing about with new friends. Beyond, hills stretch out like gentle waves, the dense cover hiding the first buds of hazelnuts and the promise of the coming truffle season. My husband and I shelter from the sun under a wide, shaded verandah t...

243