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When you think of dream holiday destinations, you might picture exotic trips to far-flung islands in the Maldives or the Caribbean. But the “most desired” holiday destination in the world is in fact Italy, a survey has found. Italy was the most-searched holiday destination among people in 97 countries, including the US, Canada, Ireland, Russia, Chi...

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My first foray into Italian mountain biking came in the spring of 2013 when my partner and I entered an eight-day XC stage race in Liguria’s Apennine mountains. The course stretched from the “Bay of Poets” in La Spezia, west across the entire region of Liguria, and ended a few kilometers from the French border. The race included stages with ascent...

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The Aeolian Islands or the Lipari Islands is an archipelago of volcanic islands located north of Sicily. The Islands are known to be a very popular tourist destination during summer, and attract more than 200,000 visitors each year. The islands are a world heritage site since 2000 because of their unique geological features. There are 8 main island...

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Palmanova is located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in northeastern Italy, about 70 miles east of Venice. The town is protected inside by its massive star-shaped fortress walls, a wonderful example of Late Renaissance fortressa design built by the Venetian Republic in 1593. The fortifications were included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list...

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The Vittoriano, otherwise known as the “Altare della Patria ” (altar of the nation) was nicknamed by the French, because of its appearance, “La grande tarte” (the big cake). It may not be the most outstanding piece of architecture of the capital, yet it remains one of Italian patriotism symbols, mostly because it holds within the Tomba del Milite I...

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Until recently, my only knowledge of Mount Etna was Evelyn Waugh’s parodic description of it, when he visited in the Twenties: I do not think I shall ever forget the sight of Etna at sunset; the mountains almost invisible in a blur of pastel grey, glowing on the top and then repeating its shape, as thought reflected, in a wisp of smoke, with the wh...

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When planning an Italian holiday, it is common practice (especially on a first trip!) to get carried away with the usual suspects: Rome, Venice, Florence and Amalfi to name a few. Of course, it can be a little difficult for lesser-known destinations to compete with places that harbour some of the most praised monuments in the world. Though it’s har...

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A ghost is said to roam the rooms and gardens of the Castle of Agazzano, in the province of Piacenza: the spirit of Pier Maria Scotti, a noble adventurer who lived between the 15th and 16th centuries, and who – according to some 18th-century chronicles, was “feared much more than Caesars’ entire army in Piacenza”, where he “provoked the scourge of...

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Have you ever been to Rome in August and wondered where all the locals are? The truth is that they’re likely in one of these towns, as Italians in major cities make a mass exodus toward the coast every summer. Many of the well-known beaches get crowded or too touristy, but this list also includes some under-the-radar gems where you can escape the h...

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Travelers and artists have been charmed by the landscape of Lake Como for centuries, and continue to be today, with the lake a favorite destination of celebrities and the international jet-set. Lake Como, located about 50 kilometers from Milan, between the provinces of Como and Lecco, is Italy’s third largest lake, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggior...

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