The Lombardy region in Northern Italy is a fabulous place to visit – and still so very Italian. If you’re visiting the area I have a great, albeit sad little story for you to bore entertain your companions. The story dates from 1957 and the list of...
Here’s another delicious and simple dish from Europe. If you’re not able to travel to Rome these days then you can at least create one of the city’s most famous – and most easy -to-make dishes at home. With just a few simple ingredients you can...
The creation of the stunning Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore began in 1296. It was finally completed in 1436. Whichever way you look at it, that was a long, long time ago. But when the cathedral reopened to the public after the coronavirus lockdown, they used...
When I was a kid, my dad’s business was the motor trade. His businesses sold cars, repaired cars, sold petrol, sold oil … this was a long long time ago and it seemed that this relatively new business – based on the motor car – would be around...
Considering that it’s a completely abandoned ghost town, Craco has seen a good amount of activity in recent years thanks to film & TV companies, occasional religious festivals and of course, visiting travellers. As you can see from the map below, it’s...
What is an albergho diffuso? If you’re looking for a vacation experience with a difference then these accommodations in Italy might be just what you’re looking for.Almost thirty years before Airbnb made famous its ‘live like a local’ concept...
You might think that Count Cesare Mattei was really a bit of a nutcase but let’s be nice and call him eccentric. He founded a medical treatment known as ‘electrohomeopathy’ that was, evidently, total quackery. But, being a rich bloke, he also built a...
Did you read that fantastic story about Carlo Giarratano at the end of July 2019? He is the captain of a fishing boat who, despite new laws to the contrary, went to the aid of 50 migrants in a poorly prepared and ailing boat one night out at sea. Carlo Giarratano...
I guess that the clue is in the name. A feature with a German name in Italy does make you wonder just what it is and (if you’re me) whether it’s a relic from the Second World War. Kleine Berlin is a network of tunnels and yes, the tunnels were built during...
‘Magnificent, moving and utterly haunting’ is how one reviewer sums up this unusual museum. Yes, you can certainly call a visit to this museum ‘dark tourism’ but it gives the strange details of an event that is mostly unknown outside Italy. And...
San Servolo was once known, eerily, as ‘the island of the mad’. This is because for many years it was an asylum for the insane. Before that, it was a monastery and during that time, the monks were joined by nuns who were escaping from a dramatic seaquake....
When you’re travelling in the Mediterranean area, it may be that you have a good – or reasonably good – grasp of the languages you hear. Travelling through the South of France, into Monaco, over to northern Italy … those languages you hear are...
Travelling by train overnight is – to me – one of the most luxurious and romantic ways to get from point A to point B. Someone else has to worry about the driving, the navigating … you’re in a proper bed and not trying to sleep in a cramped...
Carciofi alla giudia is a traditional Roman recipe that is a Jewish speciality. It’s a plate of sheer deliciousness, being a wonderful twice-deep-fried artichoke dish. It’s prepared in a traditional manner. (See the video below). Recently though, it has...
Stay at the La Dimora di Metello Hotel in Matera and the terrace above will be an excellent place to sit and enjoy a glass of local wine and gaze at the most amazing scenery. Sassi di Matera, also known as ‘The City of Caves’ is a UNESCO World Heritage...
Lake Maggiore is simply beautiful. This sparkling lake is located partly in Italy and partly in Switzerland. And during the early twentieth century, there was a curious legend regarding the lake – a legend that turned out to be true. Locals were sure that a 1926...
it seems that in the 1930s, Hitler and Mussolini were on the same page when it came to building coastal resorts of the people. Hitler had Prora and Mussolini had Colonia Fara. And both still exist and are equally spooky. Also, both are in the process of being...
This fabulous road, which hugs the side of a mountain, was built in Victorian times and used by traffic until its usage was banned in 1995. It was simply too dangerous. At first, I thought this was such a shame – what an incredible drive this would be –...
Although the Blue refers to itself as a hostel, many guests prefer to call it a hotel due to the high standard of the facilities. Plus of course, the fact that private rooms are available and not the regular hostel-style dorms. (See examples in the images below)....
Here’s another seriously spooky hotel, this time the Grand Hotel Campo dei Fiori in the Italian Alps. The hotel was abandoned when tourism declined in the area. Since its abandonment, in the late 1960s, the hotel fell into a ruinous state. Furniture and decor...
The movie Inkheart tells a fantasy story that features an abandoned village that was revitalised. Here’s the trailer. The village actually exists and it is abandoned. The film gives us some idea of what the village would have been like before it was abandoned,...
There are over 60,000 stolpersteine in various places throughout the world. If you’ve been to Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy … most of Europe … then the chances are that you’ve seen at least one. If your trip is in the future, watch out...
Visitors to Venice, or at least those who are in the know, often take a trip – even if just for a day – to the colourful island of Burano. It’s only a few kilometres from Venice itself and the water bus trip takes only about half an hour from St...
The idea of visiting monuments and cemeteries when you’re on vacation is a popular one today – from the historic graveyards of New Orleans to the grave of Victor Noir in Paris. Previous generations of travellers wanted to see how people in days gone by...
If you’re visiting Florence, then the chances are that the Piazza della Signoria will be on your to-do list. This ancient piazza abounds with the most fabulous architecture, sculpture and history. Every day the piazza is bustling with travellers and locals who...
The 1969 film The Italian Job is considered to be a classic. Some years ago, a scene that had been cut from the movie was discovered and included on the DVD. And it’s a wonderful scene that takes place in the middle of the famous car chase. During the latter...
There are many reasons to visit the Lingotto Building in Turin. It houses a fabulous hotel, concert halls, a convention centre, theatres, shopping centres and more. But it’s also an incredible building – with a history. Construction of the building started...
A vineyard in Italy has created a free wine fountain for those who are walking the Cammino di San Tommaso, a popular route for pilgrims. The Dora Sarchese winery commissioned the well-known Italian architect, Rocco Valentini, to create the fountain – which means...
It’s true. There are over a thousand bed and breakfast establishments throughout Italy that are willing to offer you free accommodation. Some of these are in rural villages, some are in well-travelled towns, some are set on sparkling lakes. Others may be by the...
