paula reynolds

Radicofani’s ancient fortress tower stands watch from the mountaintop like a medieval lighthouse over Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia. For over a thousand years, this important landmark has remained visible across the swath of this uniquely picturesque valley. It warned, it beckoned…and today …

It’s a beautiful sight. As iconic as the skyline view etched with Florence’s famous Duomo or perhaps Michelangelo’s marble masterpiece “The David”, the majestic Ponte Vecchio has spanned Florence’s Arno River for almost 700 years. The reflection of her 3 shallow arches …

Volcanic ash rained down, followed by a fiery flood of pyroclastic rock and toxic gas; the noonday was cast into darkness. Where only moments before a normal August afternoon had been underway, now lay mayhem and devastation. The opulent villas, …

It’s hard to refrain from that involuntary gasp of awe and wonder when first stepping through a tawny stone portal into Siena’s Piazza del Campo. Magnificent medieval buildings rim the fan-shaped piazza and its hubbub of lively outdoor cafés. Almost instantly …

The word “castle” easily conjures images of grandeur and royalty, places where mere mortals dare not dwell. Fortunately, many of Italy’s historic castles deliver the appropriate and expected visual fantasy. Some, however, are set apart. Ischia’s Castello Aragonese is one such gem. …

Summer may be wrapping up, but tourist season in Italy remains vibrant into the temperate months of fall. The languid heat of summer is fading while cooler temps coax plump grapes and rotund olives to prepare for harvest. Festivals are …

“Everything is admirable, and every day the countryside is more beautiful. I am bewitched by this land.”  Claude Monet, the beloved French impressionist, knew he’d stumbled upon a gem when he first encountered Dolceacqua in the summer of 1883. Captivated, he returned in …

I’ve eaten my way through many of Italy’s 20 regions. Lovely lemon pasta in Calabria, fried sea creatures in Veneto, fabulous stuffed olives in Le Marche. I could ooze delight for days reimagining unforgettable food experiences in the Bel Paese. …

Has it been a little too long since you last saw the world through childlike eyes, slowed down and observed the ordinary with a fresh perspective, and allowed yourself to act a little silly under a big open sky? Chris …

The culture of good food is as central to the heart and soul of Italy as practically any other facet of the Dolce Vita. Each of Italy’s regions is renowned for distinctive food and wine specialties, all lovingly produced with pride …