Jessica Andrews

Milan is all about food this year with the World Expo taking place from May 1 – October 31, 2015.  Its theme is “Feeding the planet, Energy for Life” and Italy’s most international city is making the most of it! …

When you visit Lago Maggiore, one of the three major lakes in northern Italy, you’re visiting the princedom of the Borromeo family.  Yes, “princedom”.  The Borromeo heirs hold the titles of “Prince” and “Princess”.  How cool is that?! A few …

A few months ago I decided to make some changes in my life and, having recently acquired Italian dual citizenship, the first change was of scenery: I came to Milan!  It’s been a month now and I’ve been surprised at …

As I was planning another trip to Italy last year, one of my Roman friends told me about a keyhole on Colle Aventino (Aventine Hill) in Rome, from which you could see the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.  A few …

Traveling to Italy in the summer scares the hell out of me.  Images of a massive hoard of sweaty, smelly adults and screaming kids packed shoulder to shoulder in a museum, of pushing through crowds on the street as my …

Every day I was in Verona it was the same thing: an absolute MOB of tourists crowded around the entrance to a small courtyard just outside of Piazza delle Erbe, flashes going off as people elbowed their way to the …

A few months ago I decided to make some changes in my life and, having recently acquired Italian dual citizenship, the first change was of scenery: I came to Milan!  It’s been a month now and I’ve been surprised at …

The Leaning Tower of Pisa seems like an obvious topic for a travel and culture blog about Italy, but if I’m being honest I have to admit that it had never been on my “Have-To” list.  I didn’t understand why …

Most people know that you can visit Juliet’s balcony when you go to Verona, Italy.  It’s hard to miss, really, it’s arched brick entrance just a block away from the bustling Piazza delle Erbe.  Always swarmed with tourists wanting to …

Inside Italy’s borders are two independent states.  One of them, you’re sure to know: Vatican City is the smallest internationally-recognized state in the world, measured by both area and population.  The other, though, is perhaps less known, even though tourism …