elizabeth salthouse

On the first weekend of September the wonderful, historic city of Verona, in northern Italy, celebrates a special birthday. The party sees singing, dancing and lots of fancy costumes. And this year it’s commemorating the 1298th birthday of Verona’s most …

Forget Capri and Ischia. There is another island in the Gulf of Naples that’s a prettier and more authentically natural beauty just minutes away by boat. The ancient Greeks loved it. As did the patrician classes of the Roman Empire. …

The gated city of Siena is unique for many reasons. It was one of Italy’s first democracies. It is the site of the historic Palio di Siena horse race. And UNESCO describes its gothic architecture and narrow streets as the …

The Romagnoli people have been eating piada or piadina flat bread for centuries. Indeed, it’s thought that the recipe might even date back to the Etruscans, ancient precursors to the Romans. Increasingly others are catching on to the piadina’s signature …

Chess is a fascinating game of strategy, tactics and mental power. And nowhere is it played out on a grander scale than in Marostica, northern Italy where people in costume take the parts of each chess piece in a vibrant, …

Murano glassmakers created Gallileo’s first telescope lenses. They decorated the palaces of Europe with their breathtaking chandeliers and glittering mirrors. And their glassblowing still draws thousands of visitors each year to the Venetian lagoon. But away from the blistering hot …

As Italy prepares to commemorate its patron saint on October 4th, we’re reminded of his life’s work. Living in poverty, renouncing worldly goods and working with lepers, San Francesco lived a pious, humble life. And there are many legends around …

Regattas have been popular in Venice since at least the 13th century when the first one was documented. And the water races probably date back much further as Venice has always, by virtue of its location, been a spectacularly successful …

Between 1820 and 1992 over five and a half million Italians left their homes to make new lives in the United States of America. They were following in the footsteps of early European explorers. And whilst the journeys weren’t always …

The Bridge of Sighs in Venice is an iconic location. Tourists flock to take its picture, lovers and selfie sticks jostling for the best view. But few know the real history of the bridge, how it got its name or …