Parma for Food Lovers: A Weekend Beyond the Restaurant Table
Discover Parma beyond its restaurant tables with a weekend of food markets, local specialties, dairy visits, and countryside museums, plus practical advice for planning your trip.
Naples Travel Guide: What to See, Where to Stay and What to Eat
Explore Naples through its historic streets, outstanding museums, neighborhood food and waterfront views, with practical advice on where to stay and how to plan three days.
Unexpected Italy: A Space Age Lamp and a €40,000 Surprise at Parma’s Mercanteinfiera
At Parma’s Mercanteinfiera, I saw familiar faces from Cash or Trash, bargained for a Space Age floor lamp, and badly underestimated a €40,000 painting. Here is what to see, what to buy, and when to walk away.
Turin After Dark: Aperitivo, Live Music and a Weekend Beyond the Museums
Discover Turin after dark with a practical weekend route through aperitivo bars, live music and lively neighborhoods, plus checked prices and transport home.
Modena in Two Days: Food, Markets, Motors and a Realistic Budget
A two-day Modena itinerary combining Mercato Albinelli, traditional food, balsamic vinegar and Ferrari, with a transparent budget and advice for a stay without a car.
Italy on a Student Budget: 8 Practical Tips for Affordable Travel
Plan an affordable student trip to Italy with eight practical tips covering discount eligibility, accommodation, food, museum tickets, and traveling with friends.
Naples Through Film and Television: Locations You Can Actually Visit
Walk through the Naples of My Brilliant Friend, The Hand of God and Naples in Veils, understand Mare Fuori’s access limits, and add a Procida day trip for Il Postino.
Milan for Fashion Lovers on a Realistic Budget
Enjoy Milan’s fashion culture without a luxury budget. This two-day itinerary combines couture, modern art, accessible shopping and aperitivo, with checked admission prices and a practical spending breakdown.
Italy by Train on a Budget: Five Trips You Can Take Without a Car
From Lake Como to Puglia, these five train trips combine affordable fares with destinations you can explore on foot. Find practical routes, booking advice and dated fare examples.
Milan Travel Guide: What to See, Where to Stay and How to Plan Your Visit
Discover Milan beyond the cathedral, from Brera and Leonardo’s Last Supper to the Navigli and modern neighborhoods. Plan your stay with transport advice, booking links and a practical two-day itinerary.
Bologna on a Budget: Food, Music and Student Life in One Weekend
Fresh pasta, independent bookshops, university streets and a night of music: explore Bologna from Friday to Sunday with checked prices and a transparent budget.
Lucca Comics & Games 2026: A First-Timer’s Guide to Tickets, Cosplay and Getting There
Visiting Lucca Comics & Games for the first time? This practical 2026 guide explains which day to choose, tickets and wristbands, arriving by train, cosplay, food costs and accommodation outside Lucca.
Christmas Markets in Italy 2026–27: Best Places, Dates and Travel Guide
Plan your Christmas holiday in Italy with confirmed 2026–27 market dates, the latest updates from Turin, Rome and Naples, plus the best places to visit, where to stay and how to travel.
How to Use Your Cell Phone in Italy: SIM Cards, eSIMs and Roaming
Will your cell phone work in Italy? Discover how to use your American or international smartphone, compare roaming with local SIM cards and travel eSIMs, and stay connected throughout your Italian vacation.
Eurochocolate Perugia 2026: Dates, Events and Visitor Guide
Eurochocolate returns to Perugia from November 13–22, 2026. Discover Italy's famous chocolate festival with free general admission, artisan producers, tastings, workshops and family events. Our guide covers locations, transport, tickets and the best places to stay.
Puglia in Spring and Autumn: The Best Places Beyond Summer
Puglia is beautiful beyond summer. Discover the best places to visit in spring and autumn, from the white towns of the Valle d'Itria to Lecce, Gargano and the olive harvest countryside. Includes seasonal advice, a seven-day itinerary and practical travel tips.
Puglia Food Guide: What to Eat from Bari to Salento
Explore Puglia through its extraordinary food, from Bari's street food and the Valle d'Itria's grilled meats to Lecce's pastries and Salento's seafood. A first-person guide to regional specialties, wines, food traditions and memorable culinary experiences.
Where to Stay in Puglia: Bari, Monopoli, Ostuni, Lecce or Salento?
Choosing where to stay in Puglia can shape your entire vacation. Compare Bari, Monopoli, Ostuni, Lecce and Salento to find the best base for beaches, culture, food, day trips and traveling without a car.
Puglia Road Trip: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary from Bari to Lecce
Explore Puglia at a comfortable pace with a week-long route from Bari to Lecce. Visit Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, the Valle d’Itria, Ostuni and Salento, with shorter and longer itinerary options.
10 Days in Italy by Train: Rome, Florence and Venice Without a Car
Explore Rome, Florence and Venice in 10 days without renting a car. Follow a realistic itinerary with nine nights, two train journeys and practical booking advice.
Where to Stay in Rome: The Best Neighborhoods for Your First Visit
Find the right neighborhood for your first visit to Rome, from the Pantheon and Monti to Trastevere and Prati, with practical advice and booking links.
Unexpected Italy: A Day in Lecce, the Florence of the South
A day trip to Lecce focused on its cathedral, historic centre, and local specialties, with suggestions for Santa Croce, Roman remains, and a relaxed walking route.
Olive Harvest in Italy: Where to Experience Olio Nuovo, Mills and Autumn Traditions
Experience Italy’s olive harvest through working mills, guided tastings and countryside stays. Discover where to go, what olio nuovo means and how to book the right visit.
Motia: Excavations and the Mystery of a Marble Youth
An excursion to Motia with my friend and guide Salvatore brings together the island’s excavations and Whitaker Museum, from a reinterpreted sacred pool to its celebrated marble youth.
Car Rental in Florence: Insurance, ZTL Rules and Safety Tips
Renting a car in Florence makes more sense for exploring Tuscany than sightseeing in the historic center. Learn what to check for insurance, restricted zones, parking, documents, and a smooth pickup and return.
Shore Fishing in Sicily: Locations, Bait, Equipment and Rules
A practical guide to shore fishing in Sicily, covering coastal geography, realistic catches, bait, equipment, local guides and fishing requirements.
Walking in Italy: Five Scenic Hiking Routes and How to Plan Them
From Tuscany’s pilgrim paths to the Tre Cime circuit, plan five memorable Italian walks with realistic timings, access guidance and official trail resources.
How to Attend a Soccer Match in Italy: Tickets, Stadium Seating and Family Advice
Plan an Italian football outing with official club ticket links, advice on identification and changing fixtures, and practical guidance for seating and children.
Why an eSIM Makes Traveling in Italy Easier: A Practical Guide to Staying Connected
A travel eSIM can put maps, tickets, messages, and bookings within reach as soon as you arrive in Italy. Here is how it works, when it makes financial sense, and what to check before buying.
Five Nights Through the Hill Towns of Maremma
A first-person guide to five nights in southern Maremma, from Morellino wine country and Saturnia’s springs to a remarkable painting in Montemerano and the ancient paths below the tuff towns.
The Little Fish That Changed My Swim in Puglia
I expected clear water and good food during five nights on Puglia’s Ionian coast. I did not expect the little fish in the sea to become one of my favorite memories.
The Sketch That Followed Me Through Pietrasanta
A coastal bike ride becomes an afternoon in Pietrasanta, with aperitivo, a walk among the square’s artworks, and a fictionalized chance encounter that changes the view.
30 Highly Rated Hotels for Short Stays in Italy: Three Choices in 10 Destinations
Three well reviewed hotel choices in each of ten Italian destinations, with location advice, useful features and clearly dated Expedia price examples.
Italy’s Best Thermal Spa Towns: Where to Stay for Hot Springs and Wellness
From Lake Garda and the Maremma to Ischia and the Alps, choose the Italian thermal destination that fits your trip—and understand what your hotel booking includes.
The Deer That Met My Eyes Above Lake Garda
I went to a Lake Garda spa retreat with a friend for a relaxing break. In the mountains, an unexpected encounter with a deer gave me a peaceful sensation I had never felt before.
10 Italy Travel Books Worth Packing or Reading Before You Go
Choose an Italy guidebook that fits your route, then find a travel memoir or collection of essays to bring the journey to life.
The Conversation on the Devil’s Bridge: A Day in Garfagnana
On the way to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, a brief conversation on the Devil’s Bridge became as memorable as our stop for traditional food in town.
A Venetian Memory: Venice, Murano and the Magic of Glass
A nostalgic journey through Venice and Murano with a friend, staying on the Lido, getting lost in Venice, visiting the Cenedese glass foundry, and bringing home two beautiful pieces of Murano glass.
The Naples We Found Beyond the Grotta di Seiano
A long gallery through the Posillipo hillside led us to one of the most memorable places a local friend showed us in Naples: the ruins of a Roman villa overlooking the coast.
Santa Margherita Ligure: A Day That Needed No Itinerary
I drove to Santa Margherita Ligure for a day of good food and time by the sea. The harbour, the centre and a slow afternoon made an itinerary unnecessary.
Two Days in Bolsena: Between Friends and the Lake
A two-day visit to friends becomes an introduction to Bolsena’s volcanic lake, medieval fortress, Basilica of Santa Cristina and the smaller lakeside towns of Marta and Capodimonte.
Cremona Beyond the Violin: A Walk Through History, Art and Food
Cremona is known throughout the world for Stradivari, but the violin is only the beginning. A visit reveals one of Lombardy’s finest medieval squares, an ambitious frescoed cathedral, the 112-meter Torrazzo, important paintings and the distinctive cooking of the Po Valley.
Apella: The Lunigiana Village That Became a Hotel
In the chestnut woods of Lunigiana, Apella has been revived through a scattered-hotel model. Its restored apartments, panoramic pool, bicycles and celebrated La Torre restaurant make the village a destination in itself, with Bagnone close enough for an easy excursion.
Two Days in Padova: Giotto and the City Beyond the Chapel
A two-day visit to Padova with three friends begins with Giotto’s extraordinary Scrovegni Chapel and continues through arcaded streets, market squares, the university quarter, the Basilica of Saint Anthony and Prato della Valle.
From Viareggio to Fiumalbo: A Day Across the Apennines
A morning on the coast becomes an afternoon in a medieval mountain village on a day trip from Viareggio, through Bagni di Lucca and Abetone, to Fiumalbo.
A Day in Verona Beyond the Balcony
A day on foot with two friends reveals a Verona that is more convincing than its romantic reputation: Roman stone, medieval squares, the Adige and the quieter moments between major attractions.
Portovenere: Where the Road Ends at the Gulf of Poets
At the end of Portovenere, the striped Church of San Pietro stands directly above the Ligurian Sea. This personal journey through the Gulf of Poets explores a less hurried alternative to the Cinque Terre, along with the real history and enduring legends of Byron, Shelley and the writers drawn to this coast.
Rome and I Share the Same Birthday
Rome and I share April 21 as a birthday. During four nights with friends, the Vatican, Forum, Trastevere and intimate trattoria dinners revealed a city whose beauty can overwhelm without ever separating itself from ordinary life.