All Around Italy

What are you going to do today?” asked Sabrina, the owner of Ripa Medici, the adorable two-room B&B I was staying at for a week in Orvieto.     Technically in Umbria but off to the side a bit, wedged …

Ancient walls, Renaissance culture galore and a local cuisine that is literally mouth-watering: Urbino, a small Medieval town in the Marche region, is a lovely spot for a day trip or, even better, for a weekend getaway.   Halfway between …

Nestled on the left bank of the river Po, right in the middle of the Pianura Padana, Cremona has one of the richest histories in Northern Italy, sports a lively musical scene and is renowned around the world for its …

There are many reasons to visit the beautiful and lively city of Bologna: it is considered to be one of Italy’s most pleasant towns to live in, its people are friendly and filled with contagious joie-de-vivre and the city center, …

Last year I saw a picture on Tumblr of beautiful ruins of a church, now open to the sky.  The columns of the nave were huge stone pillars, majestic and mystical. I was instantly enchanted (and immediately began planning my …

When most think about Sicily, they think of ancient Greek ruins by the bluest of seas; they think of the temples in Agrigento or of the chaotic street markets in Palermo. Yet, there is a quieter side to Sicily: the …

Smaller than nearby Lake Maggiore, lesser known than uber-famous Lake Como, Lake Orta is as charming as his bigger brothers and retains a much intimate, more romantic atmosphere. Located in the northern part of Piedmont, Lake Orta sits at the …

Hilly, wild and lush with rich Mediterranean vegetation, the island of Ponza’s rugged beauty makes it a perfect spot for a relaxing yet fun seaside vacation. Situated  in the Gulf of Gaeta, it is particularly popular with vacationers from nearby …

The beautiful region of Veneto, in north east Italy, is mainly famous for Venice, its capital city, yet has a lot more to offer to those who want to explore lesser known areas. Vicenza, located about 50 miles from Venice …

In a few days towns all over Italy will start celebrating Carnevale, a festive and somewhat chaotic holiday popular in most Catholic countries. The festivity takes place every year in the winter, sometimes in February, sometimes in March, right before Lent. …