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“The quantity and determination of subjects active in the field of patronage both ecclesiastical and secular,” wrote art historian Cristina Acidini, characterized Florence “at the time of the free Communes and beyond over the centuries: the civil government, the Christian church and religious orders, the arts or guilds, banks, confraternities, aris...

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La Grassa. The fat one. Bologna has earned its nickname like no other place on earth. The old city is awash in excess calories, a medieval fortress town fortified with golden mountains of starch and red cannons of animal fat, where pastas gleam a brilliant yellow from the lavish amount of egg yolks they contain and menus moan under the weight of t...

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A beach towel is a staple for any trip to the seaside, as essential as sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhats. But Brits planning their summer holidays might be taken aback by a peculiar rule at one of Europe's most popular beaches. La Pelosa, a Sardinian beach renowned for its crystal clear waters, diamond white sands and a famous 16th-century tower ju...

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Spring 2025 is the perfect time to explore Italy, with its vibrant landscapes, rich culture, and timeless beauty. Whether you’re seeking historical landmarks, stunning coastlines, or charming countryside retreats, Italy offers a variety of destinations that promise a memorable escape. With long weekends and the opportunity to enjoy an extended brea...

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Italy is no stranger to scaffolding. The need for infrastructural and aesthetic upgrades to the country’s cultural attractions is near-constant; necessary maintenance as well as all-out renovations can keep many places off limits to visitors for extended periods of time. When sites of interest reopen, it’s arguably even better news for the host tow...

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Although Italy is the fourth most visited country in the world, the southern Italian region of Basilicata remains largely unexplored, even by Italians. Unlike its vacation hotspot neighbour Puglia to the east, or Campania’s bucket-list stops such as Amalfi and Pompeii tothe west, Basilicata is quite easy to bypass. Even for me, a self-proclaimed It...

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Pettorano sul Gizio is a medieval mountain town full of alleys, watchful cats and wooden doors locked sometime in the last century. In the lower parts of town, rustic charm turns into abandonment – branches grow out of walls and roofs have fallen in. The only bar closed at Christmas, after the owner died. Some “For Sale” signs have been up so long...

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The jagged silhouette of Isola di Capraia rises dramatically from the Tyrrhenian Sea, a volcanic sentinel standing guard between Italy and Corsica. This rugged gem in the Tuscan Archipelago remains one of Italy’s best-kept secrets – a place where dramatic cliffs plunge into sapphire waters and time seems to slow to the rhythm of lapping waves. An i...

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Bari, Tropea, Matera, and Trento in Italy offer a perfect escape from overcrowded tourist hotspots with stunning scenery, rich history, and authentic experiences. Venice has become the world’s first major city to implement a unique visitor fee, aiming to curb overtourism and safeguard its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The €5 (£4.30) charg...

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Between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines mountains, Servigliano is a small town of the beautiful Marche region, famous for its iconic quadrilateral walls, its story of rebuilding which for many decades had given another name to the town and for its role during the two world wars in the XXth century. Thanks to stunning landscapes, beautiful archit...

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