Blog

Tucked away in northern Italy in the mighty Dolomites,  you will find the fabulous ski resort of Alta Badia.  Come the summer, this mountain playground turns into an outdoor gym at 2000m with everything from Nordic walking,  chromotherapy, pilates, themed tours, a day with a personal fitness trainer, a meditative walk, healthy cooking classes and loads more. From 15 – 31  July, Alta...

Venice 1 June – 24 November 2013 The stunning city of Venice hosts the Biennale International Art Exhibition every two years. Considered a major contemporary art presentation, hundreds of thousands of art lovers flock to the city to see the showcase of fine art. Organised by the prestigious cultural institution Venice Biennale, it has been at the forefront of contemporary art, promoting...

Tourist from all over the world descend upon Modena the beautiful town of very old origins in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. There are a great number of reasons as to why Modena attracts such a vast number of visitors and its not just to admire the art although it has its fair share of masterpieces. The magnificent 12th century Cathedral is a masterpiece of Italian Romanesque art, the work of...

Just off the coast about 30 km from Naples, lies the Italian island of Ischia, neighbouring the better known island of Capri.  It’s the larger of the islands and renowned for its healing thermal waters and therefore increasingly popular as a very relaxing spa destination. Mediterranean waters lap at its lovely sandy beaches where a number of spa gardens are located.  Visitors can pay for a...

Watch the start of Giro d’Italia 2013 in Naples, Ischia and Sorrento. Cycle races in Italy are always a spectacular sight and never more so than at the Giro d’Italia (4-26 May) which, this year, kicks off for the first time in 50 years in Naples, finishing in Brescia.  Participants in the 3405 km road race will cover an average distance of just over 162 km per day with seven mountain...

If you know Italy like we do, you will sagely nod your head in agreement when we say there’s always a gourmet event going on in Italy at any one time.   The Italians love their food and feel any harvest should be celebrated in the most decadent way. We have rounded up a few of the best foodie festivals this Spring to whet your appetite, covering everything from fresh fish (see ‘Slow Fish’...

Its Jazz time in Umbria!  Expect a great festival this year as the infamous Umbria Jazz Festival hits its 40th anniversary from 5 – 14 July. Big names include Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Sonny Rollins, John Legend and Keith Jarrett who will no doubt be appearing in the main Arena Santa Giuliana venue but everywhere else, you can find music and parties in Perugia’s beautiful...

With the cold snap becoming less and less of a novelty and news that this could be one of the coldest Easters on record for the UK, distract yourself with planning a family Easter holiday (it will come around sooner than you think) that’s filled with culture, great food and most importantly, warmer weather! Italyis a great destination for a family break, as the country pulls out all the stops...

Otranto sits on the east coast of the Salento peninsula which is the heel of Italy in the region of Puglia.  Its a real gem of a town and a favourite of Holiday Homes in Italy.   Situated near to the wonderful capital of the region, Lecce, along a marvellous Adriatic coastal track of crystal clear water, Otranto is a delightful tourist destination with a bustling seafront area and many...

If you are feeling somewhat jaded after a seemingly endless winter, give yourself a boost with a little flavour of Sicily as the island welcomes the start of the ‘blood orange’ season.  Enriched by the low temperatures and the volcanic soil of the land surrounding Mount Etna, the juice and ruby red flesh of the ‘Tarocco’ is deliciously sweet, boasting a hefty vitamin C content...

The Italian Wine Tourism Movement was born in 1993 and now with over 1,000 members, incorporates some of the most prestigious wineries of Italy.  Not just anyone can be a member, there are the most stringent requirements to comply with, the obvious being quality related. The aim of the Wine Tourism Movement is to increase awareness of activities and products of the member wineries to wine...

With trendy coastal towns such as San Remo, Portofino and Alassio – the Italian Riviera – as well as peaceful valleys and a beautiful coastline, the small region of Liguria has it all. Stretching west along the coast, the region has one of the most dramatic coastlines in the whole of Italy.  Tiny historic villages are everywhere, particularly in Cinque Terre.  So with superb weather,...

Hands up who loves Italy AND who loves chocolate? The thought of both in one go is overwhelming, especially for a Monday but take a quick break and read on about CioccolaTÒ, the big chocolate festival. Turin’s big chocolate festival starts on 22 February and lasts until 3 March. It takes place in Piazza Vittorio Venetoas well as a variety of cafes around the city. Hundreds of chocolate...

We have a confession.  Even when it snows in Rome, eating a gelato is still our favourite pastime.  So when someone asks about the best Ice Cream parlours in Rome, we feel more than qualified to be the specialist on this subject. So, if you cant get to any of the following Top 10 Gelato Makers in Rome, there are certain rules to always bear in mind. Avoid ice cream shops with a display of...

Italy is such a romantic country, it’s no surprise that it remains a top choice as a honeymoon destination But which are the best honeymoon villas rent in Italy?   Have a look at the Holiday Homes in Italy Top Five and let us know what you think: 1. Casa Sorrento, Amalfi Coast I just love these little cottages on the top of the Amalfi Coast. They share 2 pools and there is a wonderful...

Florence has it all – in this beautiful city you can explore Italian culture, in the many galleries and museums, spend your time shopping or simply take your time in the city’s cafes, bars and restaurants.   For many years this town has been the preferred choice for a city break in Italy and for good reason: the tasty cuisine, the stunning landscape, the amazing  shopping, and...

Get ready for Easter which, in Sicily, is a lively colourful affair.  Often accompanied by warm sunshine, it is marked by a variety of traditional and religious rituals and some great seasonal treats including icing-covered marzipan lambs, ‘cassata’ (cake made of sweetened ricotta cheese, marzipan and candied fruit) and fruit-shaped marzipan ‘pasta reale’ confectionery. Events include...

As anyone who watched BBC2’s Italy Unpacked series will agree, Turin’s reputation as the chocolate capital of Italy is hard to beat.  Choco-mad visitors can check out the best the city has to offer in the way of ‘gianduiotti’, pralines, cakes, biscuits, ice cream and hot chocolate and watch the production of handcrafted chocolates at several of its cafés and patisseries....

It might be cold in the UK right now, but looking ahead to the summer there’s plenty of wonderful Italian holiday homes that are on our list to visit. For summer sun, Italy is great value and offers perfect weather.  Italian holiday homes generally still work out cheaper than a UK holiday, taking into account travel, the cost of apartments and especially food and drink. So here are our...

Highly recommended is the ‘Springtime of the Renaissance’ exhibition in Florence  from 23rd March until 18th August. Showcasing some of the most fabulous 15th century Florentine art and sculpture, a visit to this exhibition offers a chance to get to know the cultural backdrop of this charming Tuscan city. Often regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is the ideal setting for...

‘From Botticelli to Matisse’ Art Exhibition in Verona 2 February to 1 April 2013 Explore the beautiful city of Verona this spring and visit the ‘Botticelli to Matisse’ art exhibition from 2nd February to 1st April 2013. Synonymous with opera and Shakespeare’s favourite lovers, Verona embodies all the legendary aspects of Italian culture. This timeless city, which exudes...

Sun, rain, snow.  Does it really matter when you take your hot chocolate fix? We give you the inside story of where best to go for your fix when in Rome. One of the most famous chocolate shops since 1923 is Said in San Lorenzo which is a lively area for nightlife, mostly inhabited by university students and obviously the perfect place for a renovated old chocolate factory.  The hot chocolate...

Andrew Graham-Dixon and chef Giorgio Locatelli travel through Italy exploring the country’s history, culture, food, art and landscape. Their journey begins in Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, one of the richest regions in Italy. They find out why the city is know as la Dotta (the Learned), la Grassa (the Fat) and la Rossa (the Red), while visiting its shops, art institutions and the...

Want to experience Italy in a totally different & unique way? Are you tired of the routine & inflexibility of a package holiday? You are not alone. A new type of holiday consumer, defined as the ‘authenticity seekers’ by a leading consumer trend forecaster, has led to large growth in the direct rental market. ‘Personal Catering’ is predicted to become the travel buzzword for 2013...

Mysterious mask? check.  Dazzling costume? check.  Flowing red cloak? check.  Must be Carnivale time in Venice! The renowned Venice Carnival, which began in the early 14th century, is now one of the most well known festivals in the world but it’s no longer just a vibrant parade.  A mass of dazzling entertainment, historic enactments and a deluge of parties in true Ventian style happens...